The bomb cyclone - On March 13, 2019 a rare winter storm known as a bomb cyclone, pummeled the Pikes Peak region with hurricane-force winds and swirling snow that reduced visibility to inches. Thousands were caught in whiteout conditions when the blizzard intensified much quicker than anyone had predicted. (photos by JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE
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The Pikes Peak region has been hit with fires, floods, hail, high winds and a myriad of weather extremes. Grab your umbrella, snow boots and find some cover as we revisit some of the most memorable acts of nature the Colorado Springs area has experienced.
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Most Destructive Hailstorm – The most costly hailstorm to hammer Colorado Springs occurred on July 28, 2016. The storm incurred $352.8 million dollars worth of damage. Source: Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (Christian Murdock, The Gazette)Coldest Day – The coldest day on record for Colorado Springs happened on February 1, 1951. On that day the temperature hit -27 degrees. It must have been a rough winter, as the second lowest temperature also happened that year. Colorado Springs dipped to -26 degrees the day before on January 31, 1951. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Bryan Oller, The Gazette)Most Destructive Wildfire – In June 2013, the Black Forest Fire totaled $429.3 million in insured losses resulting from approximately 4,173 homeowner and auto insurance claims. About 486 structures were burned. Source: Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)Flash Floods of 2013 – The Waldo Canyon Fire would eventually lead to a series of destructive floods that had a severe impact on Manitou Springs in 2013. While the town was hit several times, the worst day might have been August 9, 2013, when a 4-foot high wall of water forced 163 people to be evacuated. One person died during the flood and 40 homes were damaged or destroyed. Source: Gazette.com (Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette)Most rainfall in one day – Hope you had an umbrella handy on September 14, 2011. That was the day Colorado Springs saw 4.5 inches of rain pour down on the city. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Bryan Oller, The Gazette)Snowiest Day – Colorado Springs has seen its share of heavy snow but March 11, 1909 was the most extreme. On that day, 25.6 inches of snow fell. The next heaviest single day of snowfall was Jan. 15, 1987, when 22 inches of snow landed in Colorado Springs. The blizzard of 1997? Our city totaled 24 inches of snow over two days, Oct. 24-25. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)Most Expensive Wildfire – In June 2012 the Waldo Canyon Fire destroyed 346 homes. The resulting 6,648 claims resulted in an estimated $470 million dollars in insured losses. Source: Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (Mark Reis, The Gazette)Greatest Maximum Wind Speed – Windy days are pretty common but the windiest day in Colorado Springs history happened on Jan. 9, 2017. The maximum wind gust reached locally was 101 mph and was recorded at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. That same day a wind speed of 99 mph was recorded in Manitou Springs. The fastest wind speed ever recorded at the Colorado Springs Airport was 96 mph on Mar. 13, 2019. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE)
