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

2025-01-22 · Central Yampa River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

The KCAG ASOS in Craig and KHDN AWOS in Hayden recorded an approximately 7 hour period of wind chill values at or below 15F. In the case of the KHDN AWOS, nearly the entire period met the traditional requirements of temperatures at or below 25F and winds at or above 10 mph, while the KCAG ASOS recorded only about 1 hour of meeting the traditional requirements. However, wind chills were sufficiently cold that the entire period is being counted. Temperatures ranged from 7F to 19F, and wind speeds ranged from 6 mph to 16 mph. The coldest wind chill recorded was -3F. No reports of injuries, damages, or fatalities were received.

Wider weather episode

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.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1234035. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.