High Wind — Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Arizona

2022-02-21 · Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Arizona

Event narrative

The ADOT wind sensor at Two Guns measured a peak wind gust of 62 MPH at 113 PM. Wind gusts exceeded 58 MPH between 1230 PM and 230 PM. The sustained wind was 40 MPH and higher between 1215 PM and 230 PM. The Winslow ASOS (less than 5 miles into the next zone) measured a peak wind gust of 61 MPH at 215 PM. Peak wind gusts were 58 MPH and higher between 150 PM and 300 PM. The sustained winds were 40 MPH and higher between 1250 PM and 455 PM.

Wider weather episode

A longwave trough developed over the Pacific Northwest and dug southward into

the Great Basin on 21 February. As an initial shortwave moved into Arizona, the pressure gradient increased resulting in a strong upper-level jet developing. Consequently, winds increased over much of northern Arizona during the late morning and into the night. Vertical mixing through around 700-650 mb where the winds initially in the 30-40 kt range. However, as the trough axis draws approached, the low-level winds at the top of the boundary layer increase to around 50-60 kts.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1010272. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.