High Wind in Central Yampa River Basin, Colorado

At approximately 2:08 PM MDT, the KCAG ASOS at Craig-Moffat County Airport recorded a gust to 62 mph. This was the peak gust of the day, but additional gusts between 58 mph and the peak of 62 mph were recorded at both the Pinto, Massadona 18SE RAWS and the Great Divide 2SW RAWS. Additional sensors around the zone recorded gusts above 45 mph through the afternoon. No reports of injuries, damages, or fatalities were received in association with this event.

A trough dropping out of the Pacific Northwest on the 20th helped to tighten the pressure gradient aloft. This in turn worked to increase surface winds across eastern Utah and western Colorado. In addition, a ridge of high pressure that was still partly in place on the 20th promoted clear skies and deep mixing, helping to mix down even stronger winds to the surface. This pattern lingered into the afternoon of the 21st, allowing for a few late wind gusts to pop up at higher elevations of northwest Colorado.