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

The KEGE AWOS in Eagle reported a prolonged period of temperatures at or below 25F and wind chills below 15F. Winds were not continuously at or above 10 mph, but the wind chills produced by even light winds were cold enough to warrant inclusion. Temperatures ranged from 5F to 25F, and winds ranged from 6 to 17 mph. The lowest wind chill value recorded was -8F. 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.