By the end of March, unless you are a fan of skiing, snowboarding, or winter weather, the last thing you want to encounter as spring approaches is a significant snowstorm. Exactly 22 years ago today, on March 19, 2003, Colorado, notably Denver, was engulfed in one of its most severe snowstorms ever recorded. The Front Range region, stretching from Fort Collins to Denver, received an impressive 20 to 40 inches of snow, while the foothills west of the city saw a staggering 3 to 7 feet of snowfall over a period of 3 to 4 days. Strong winds of 30 to 40 mph whipped the snow into drifts reaching up to 6 feet high in some areas of Denver.
Predictably, this heavy snowfall brought daily life to a standstill, causing disruptions even in a region accustomed to snowfall and winter storms. Most highways, including local roads, were closed due to the deep snow accumulation or, in the mountains, avalanche risks, leaving motorists and skiers stranded. The iconic tent-shaped fiberglass roof of Denver International Airport suffered a 40-foot gash under the weight of the snow, and numerous other structures across Denver collapsed or were damaged, totaling at least 258 according to the National Weather Service. The heavy snow also caused tree and power line damage, resulting in power outages for around 135,000 residents that lasted for several days.
The March 2003 storm stands as the second heaviest snowstorm in Denver’s recorded history since the late 19th century, as per the National Weather Service. Denver, along with much of Colorado’s Front Range, experiences March as its snowiest month on average, distinguishing it as one of the few areas in the U.S. with this weather pattern.
Author Jonathan Erdman, a seasoned meteorologist at weather.com with expertise dating back to 1996, has a keen interest in extreme and peculiar weather phenomena. Connect with him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook for more insights.
