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

The KSBS AWOS in Steamboat Springs recorded a 4 hour period where wind chills were below 15F. Temperatures during this period were well below the 25F threshold, but winds were not consistently at or above 10 mph. However, wind chill values were sufficiently cold to warrant this event being included. Temperatures ranged from -6F to 3F, and winds ranged from 6 mph to 9 mph. The coldest wind chill value recorded during this period was -18F. 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.