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

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

Event narrative

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. The wind sensor on State Route 77 (14 Mile Hill) met high wind criteria from 400 to 500 PM MST. The ADOT wind sensor on I-40 at Jackrabbit had a peak wind gust of 59 MPH at 0403 PM MST.

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 1010273. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.