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

The KHDN AWOS at Yampa Valley Airport in Hayden, CO recorded a roughly 10 hour period where wind chill values were below 15F, and the traditional requirements of ambient temperatures at or below 25F and winds at or above 10 mph were met. Winds during this period ranged from 6 to 14 mph, and temperatures ranged from -11F to 10F. The minimum wind chill value recorded during this period was -30F. No reports of injuries, damages, 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.