Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in Lower Yampa River Basin, Colorado

The K4V0 AWOS in Rangely, CO recorded a nearly 24 hour period where temperatures were at or below 25F and winds were 10 mph or higher, producing wind chills of 15F or colder. The coldest ambient temperature recorded was 10F, with a range of 10F -25F. The strongest wind gust recorded was 33 mph, with a range of wind speeds from 10 - 33 mph. The coldest wind chill value recorded was -2F. No reports of injuries, damage, or fatalities were received.

A cold front ushered in an arctic airmass on the evening of January 17th, as well as bringing widespread wind and snow to eastern Utah and western Colorado. This arctic airmass was reinforced over the course of the next week by several passing waves with their own associated cold fronts. Temperatures during this period were 15-20 degrees below normal, and in some places close to 30 degrees below normal. With temperatures this cold, any amount of wind would produce a dangerously cold wind chill. The coldest period of this event was January 20th to the 22nd, with temperatures finally beginning to moderate after the 23rd.