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

2025-01-19 · Central Colorado River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

The KEGE AWOS in Eagle recorded an approximately 9 hour period where temperatures were below 25F and wind speeds were sufficient to produce wind chill values below 15F. The first four hours of this period saw wind speeds consistently at or above 10 mph, while the remainder saw a mix of winds above or below that threshold. All the same, wind chill values produced during the whole period were cold enough to warrant recording. Temperatures ranged from 10F to 19F, and wind speeds ranged from 6 mph to 25 mph. The coldest wind chill value 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 1235284. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.