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

The K4V0 AWOS in Rangely, CO recorded an 11 hour period where wind chills were significantly cold. Ambient air temperatures were well below the 25F threshold, with the coldest temperature recorded being -8F and temperatures during this period ranging from -8F to 0F. Winds failed to meet the 10 mph criteria for at least 1 hour, however, with cold enough ambient temperatures, wind chill values produced were significantly cold. Winds ranged from 6-10 mph. The coldest wind chill value recorded during the period was -21F. 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.