High Wind — Central Yampa River Basin, Colorado

2025-02-07 · Central Yampa River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

The KEEO ASOS at Meeker Airport in meeker recorded a peak gust to 68 mph at 1143 AM MST on February 7th. Other gusts above 58 mph were recorded at both KEEO ASOS and KHDN AWOS at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden. At KHDN, two gusts to 58 mph were recorded, one at 602 PM MST and one at 615 PM MST. At KEEO, a gust to 64 mph was recorded at 153 PM MST, a gust to 67 mph was recorded at 357 PM MST, and the peak gust to 68 mph was recorded at 1143 AM MST. Other gusts around the area ranged from 45 mph to 55 mph. No reports of injuries, damages, or fatalities were received.

Wider weather episode

Unseasonably warm temperatures and clear skies promoted deep mixing on the 7th of February. In the meantime, the pressure gradient aloft was tightening ahead of a cold and strong low pressure system approaching the area from the west, leading to strong winds at upper levels. The unusual warmth of the day promoted deep mixing, tapping into those strong upper level winds and bringing strong gusts down to the surface. Higher elevations and the valleys of northeast Utah and northwest Colorado saw the peak gusts.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1239324. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.