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

2026-01-16 · Larimer & Boulder Counties Between 6000 & 9000 Feet, Colorado

Event narrative

Winds generally reach 40 to 60 mph across the foothills of Larimer County (below the 75 mph for high wind criteria). Even weaker winds were reported in the foothills of Boulder County. A small corridor near the Wyoming border experienced strong winds with the strongest report being 78 mph near Virginia Dale.

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front swept southward across eastern Colorado during the evening of January 15th, with it bringing wind gusts of 55 to 70 mph. Winds subsided overnight, but became strong again during morning and afternoon hours of January 16th. A few power poles came down in Larimer County. Several miles of I-25 north of Fort Collins to the WY state line was closed to all traffic and US 85 north of Greeley to the WY line was closed to all traffic as well. A grass fire (about 500 acres) occurred along I-76 in Sedgwick county south of Sedgwick. Mandatory evacuations south of I-76 and east of HWY 59 lasted about hour before the fire was contained.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1302369. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.