High Wind — Larimer & Boulder Counties Between 6000 & 9000 Feet, Colorado

2025-12-17 · Larimer & Boulder Counties Between 6000 & 9000 Feet, Colorado

Event narrative

A weather station and the NCAR Mesa Lab recorded a peak wind gust of 109 mph. There were many reports of 60 to 80 mph across the zone. At 1 NE of Crisman (just NW of Boulder), a 93 mph wind gust was recorded. Several trees were snapped in/near the foothills. Highway 36 between Boulder and Lyons and Highway 287 between Ted's Place and the Wyoming border were closed due to the high winds.

Wider weather episode

Downslope high wind event along the Front Range of Colorado produced wind damage and critical fire weather conditions. Peak wind gust estimated to reach 109 mph at the NCAR Mesa Lab, with several reports over 80 mph in/near the base of the foothills. Critical fire weather conditions resulted from the high winds and low humidity. Power poles were snapped along Highway 93 between Golden and Boulder. Total power outages were near 139,000, including the 50,000 in the PSPS. A plane was flipped due to high winds at the Boulder Municipal airport. Several trees were also snapped in/near the foothills, including some on the University of Colorado campus (which was closed for the day). Some closures of state highways occurred, some planned and unplanned, due to the strong winds. These included sections of US-287, CO-93, US-36, and CO-128.

Over the northeast plains, a surge of west winds advanced eastward during the evening hours producing several gusts in the 55 to 75 mph range. The strongest wind gust on the plains during the evening hours was a 89 mph wind gust at the Akron airport.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1300859. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.