Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Grand Valley, Colorado

2025-01-22 · Grand Valley, Colorado

Event narrative

The KGJT ASOS in Grand Junction recorded an approximately 4 hour period where temperatures were below 25F and wind speeds were high enough that wind chill values less than 15F were produced. Even though the majority of this period did not see wind speeds above the 10 mph threshold, wind chill values were sufficiently cold to warrant recording. Temperatures ranged from 7F to 18F, and wind speeds ranged from 6 mph to 13 mph. The coldest wind chill recorded was -6F. 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 1235272. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.