High Wind — Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus, Colorado

2024-04-05 · Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus, Colorado

Event narrative

Wind gusts across the zone ranged from 45 mph to 90 mph, with the peak gust of 90 mph occurring at the Colorado Department of Transportation weather station located on Douglas Pass. Three locations measured gusts above 75 mph during this event.

Wider weather episode

A deep trough of low pressure approached eastern Utah and western Colorado from the west, with a strong 140 knot jet aloft wrapping around the trough's base. This jet, combined with a very tight southwesterly pressure gradient aloft, brought very strong winds to the region ahead of an impressive cold front. Wind gusts ranged from 45 mph to 65 mph across valley locations, while mountain locations saw gusts up to 90 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1178113. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.