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

The KEGE AWOS in Eagle reported an approximately 16 hour period where temperatures were below 25F and wind speeds were sufficient to produce wind chills colder than 15F. Only about the first 3 hours of the period saw winds consistently at or above 10 mph, however the weaker during the remainder of the period produced wind chills cold enough to warrant recording. Temperatures ranged from -8F to 23F, and wind speeds ranged from 6 mph to 20 mph. The coldest wind chill value recorded was -21F. 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.