Frost/Freeze — Central Colorado River Basin, Colorado

2024-10-21 to 2024-10-22 · Central Colorado River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

With 12 of the 21 reporting sites available recording temperatures at or below 32F for at least 3 hours, at least 50% of the zone experienced a freeze event. However, only 3 of those 21 sites experienced temperatures at or below 28F for at least 3 hours, meaning this was a freeze but not a season-ending on. The minimum recorded temperature was 26F, while the minimum recorded at KEGE AWOS was 28F. Minimum temperatures ranged from 26F to 32F. Temperatures at or below 32F lasted for on average 4 hours, with a maximum of 11 hours and a minimum of 0 hours. Temperatures at or below 28F lasted on average 1 hour, with a maximum of 5 hours and a minimum of 0 hours.

Wider weather episode

As skies gradually began to clear in the wake of an upper level low, and the atmosphere began to dry out, conditions were favorable for temperatures to drop below freezing in many locations across eastern Utah and western Colorado. Northern and central Colorado in particular were favored to see freezes. Lingering moisture and cloud cover in the vicinity did limit how cold temperatures could get, however, with this being a freeze but not a season ending one.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1220474. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.