Thunderstorm Wind — Dolores, Colorado

2025-09-11 · near Dunton, Dolores, Colorado

Event narrative

The NWS Incident Meteorologist on the Stoner Mesa fire reported snapped trees and uprooted cottonwood trees along Colorado State Route 38 near the Mavreeso Campground. No direct measurement of the winds was recorded, therefore the wind for this entry was estimated. This was the only reported damage, and there were no reports of injuries or fatalities.

Wider weather episode

The period between the 11th and 13th of September had a relatively unique meteorological setup for western Colorado and eastern Utah. A potent closed low was located over Southern California, and a ridge of high pressure was located to our southeast, directing a rich plume of monsoonal moisture northward through the Four Corners. Mixing ratios in this plume of moisture were more than high enough to not only help form strong to severe thunderstorms, but also to produce flash flooding and debris flows. Additionally, there was ample instability, with morning clearing helping 600-1000 J/kg of CAPE develop each afternoon. The region also fell under the right exit region of a potent upper level jet streak, which added additional lift and 40-50 kts of shear. Additionally, terrain effects added additional lift and shear. All together, this was a potent setup with the potential to produce severe thunderstorms. And indeed, the storms that developed produced not only large hail and strong, damaging winds, but also two tornadoes in Southeast Utah, and flash flooding across the area. Particularly, fresh burn scars, including the Lee and Elk RBX scars, saw substantial flash flooding and debris flows as storms trained over the area and produced very heavy rain. Finally, after 3 days of widespread severe weather, the cold front pushed through the region, and a cooler, drier, and above all, calmer airmass moved in, bringing an end to the event.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.6500, -108.3000)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1295190. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.