Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin, Colorado

2025-01-18 · Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

The KMTJ ASOS in Montrose reported an approximately 5 hour period where temperatures were below 25F and wind chill values were below 15F. The majority of the period saw winds either below 10 mph or winds inconsistently above 10 mph, however the last hour of the period did see winds consistently at or above 10 mph, either gusting or sustained. Even when winds were weaker than 10 mph or inconsistent, the wind chill values produced were sufficiently cold to warrant inclusion. Temperatures ranged from 19F to 25F, and winds ranged from 6 mph to 22 mph. The coldest wind chill value produced was 9F. 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 1236849. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.