Colorado blasted with nearly two FEET of snow on first day of Summer while derecho leaves three dead

The latest snowfall in nearly 100 years hit Colorado on Friday, as 14 states were blasted with severe thunderstorms and wind damage from a derecho that left three dead.

Nearly two feet of snow fell on the first day of Summer, a few hours west of the capital of Colorado in Steamboat Springs where elevations reach 7,000 feet.

While unseasonable snowflakes blanketed parts of the Centennial State, a deadly weather system referred to as a ‘derecho’ struck 1,000 miles of the US, from the Midwest to coastal South Carolina. 

At least 3 people were killed in Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois by downed trees due to the storms, The Weather Channel reported.

 

‘Derecho’ is Spanish for ‘straight’ in English, and used in weather terminology to refer to storms like Friday’s deadly system.

It’s a large grouping of thunderstorms the come along with widespread wind damage, spanning a straight line for a continuous path of at least 250 miles.

On Friday, derecho quadrupled that, covering 1,000 miles. 

The latest snowfall in nearly 100 years hit Denver on Friday, as 14 states were blasted with severe thunderstorms and wind damage that left three dead

Those who didn’t survive the storm included Michael Birge, 38, of Kentucky, a 48-year-old woman in Illinois, and Levi Mayberry, 22, of Missouri. 

Birge died when a tree fell on his pickup truck near Scottsville, Kentucky, WKNY and LEX18 reported. 

Mayberry was driving a boat downstream in the Current River north of Van Buren, Missouri, when the boat was struck and he was killed, KFVS reported. Two others on the boat with him where injured.

Those who didn't survive the storm included Michael Birge, 38, of Kentucky, a 48-year-old woman in Illinois, and Levi Mayberry, 22, of Missouri. A shelf cloud is shown near Mound City, Missouri

Those who didn’t survive the storm included Michael Birge, 38, of Kentucky, a 48-year-old woman in Illinois, and Levi Mayberry, 22, of Missouri. A shelf cloud is shown near Mound City, Missouri

Derecho raged from Friday into Saturday, toppling trees and damaging homes. Tents were taken down in Nashville ahead of the weekend's Pride celebrations by 50-70 mile per hour winds

Derecho raged from Friday into Saturday, toppling trees and damaging homes. Tents were taken down in Nashville ahead of the weekend’s Pride celebrations by 50-70 mile per hour winds

Derecho raged from Friday into Saturday, toppling trees and damaging homes.

Tents were taken down in Nashville ahead of the weekend’s Pride celebrations by 50-70 mile per hour winds

Flash flooding stranded drivers in Kansas City, KMBC reported.

More than 40,000 homes and business in three states had lost power by Saturday, according to poweroutage.us. 

Flash flooding stranded drivers in Kansas City (pictured). More than 40,000 homes and business in three states had lost power by Saturday, according to poweroutage.us

Flash flooding stranded drivers in Kansas City (pictured). More than 40,000 homes and business in three states had lost power by Saturday, according to poweroutage.us

Flash flood warnings persist for Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma into early this week

Flash flood warnings persist for Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma into early this week

Severe weather remained possible in many of the states affected, and likely in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas throughout Sunday

Severe weather remained possible in many of the states affected, and likely in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas throughout Sunday

A large part of Oklahoma remains under a severe thunderstorm warning, with watches in effect in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, as well

A large part of Oklahoma remains under a severe thunderstorm warning, with watches in effect in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, as well

Flash flood warnings persist for Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma into early this week.

Severe weather remained possible in many of the states affected, and likely in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas throughout Sunday. 

A large part of Oklahoma remains under a severe thunderstorm warning, with watches in effect in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, as well.

On the other side of the country, Steamboat Springs, Colorado accumulated 20 inches of snow on Friday, CNN affiliate KCNC reported.

CNN meteorologist Gene Norman said snowfall at this point in the season is rare, even for the area, which hasn’t seen fresh powder this far past Winter since June 17, 1928. 

Singer Kelly Clarkson enjoyed the anomaly with her family, tweeting a picture and writing, ‘Yes, that is snow in my hand. Snowball fights in June. I love Colorado!’ 

On the other side of the country, Steamboat Springs, Colorado accumulated 20 inches of snow on Friday and into Saturday. Snow in Colorado is shown

On the other side of the country, Steamboat Springs, Colorado accumulated 20 inches of snow on Friday and into Saturday. Snow in Colorado is shown

Singer Kelly Clarkson enjoyed the anomaly with her family, tweeting a picture and writing, 'Yes, that is snow in my hand. Snowball fights in June. I love Colorado!'

Singer Kelly Clarkson enjoyed the anomaly with her family, tweeting a picture and writing, ‘Yes, that is snow in my hand. Snowball fights in June. I love Colorado!’

 

The average snowfall for the city in the month of June is .1 inches. During a typical season, the average last day of snowfall has been May 6. Snow in Colorado is shown on June 21

The average snowfall for the city in the month of June is .1 inches. During a typical season, the average last day of snowfall has been May 6. Snow in Colorado is shown on June 21

The average snowfall for the city in the month of June is .1 inches. Norman said during a typical season, the average last day of snowfall has been May 6.

The unseasonable snow is due to the atmosphere being warmer and more moist than before.  

A winter weather advisory was in effect in the area through Sunday morning, with a mix of rain and snow projected in some parts of Colorado throughout the day.

A winter weather advisory was in effect in the area through Sunday morning, with a mix of rain and snow projected in some parts of Colorado throughout the day

A winter weather advisory was in effect in the area through Sunday morning, with a mix of rain and snow projected in some parts of Colorado throughout the day



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