High Wind — Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

2025-12-17 · Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

The mesonet sensor 4.3 E Steamboat Springs (DRI) recorded two gusts above reporting criteria. The first, to 86 mph, occurred at 6:55 PM MST, and the second, to 97 mph, was recorded at 9:05 PM MST. Other wind gusts across the region ranged from 45 mph to 70 mph. No reports of injuries, damages, or fatalities were received.

Wider weather episode

A strong winter storm approached eastern Utah and western Colorado from the west, bringing a shot of colder air along with it. Ahead of this system, high pressure had brought a much warmer airmass. Between these two systems, and along and ahead of the approaching cold front, the surface pressure gradient began to tighten. Deep mixing ahead of the front also helped to bring down higher momentum air from the strong, 170 knot upper level jet. All together, this resulted in widespread strong, gusty winds across much of eastern Utah and western Colorado.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1306940. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.