Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Grand Valley, Colorado

2025-01-23 · Grand Valley, Colorado

Event narrative

The KGJT ASOS in Grand Junction recorded a 2 hour period where temperatures were less than 25 mph and winds were such that the wind chill values produced were below 15F. Winds only reached the 10 mph threshold for a few minutes, however wind chills were sufficiently cold to warrant recording. Temperatures ranged from 16F to 25F, and wind speeds ranged from 6 mph to 10 mph. The coldest wind chill value 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 1235274. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.