High Wind in Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

The peak gust of 82 mph was recorded at the 4.3E Steamboat Springs DRI mesonet site at 1:20 AM MDT. This mesonet site is located above 10,000 feet. Additional gusts across the zone ranged from 50 mph to 55 mph during the period of peak winds. No reports of injuries, damages, or fatalities were received in relation to this high wind event.

A very strong Pacific system moved into the region, with a potent 170 knot jet streak aloft and a strong surface cold front. As a result, winds began to increase through the afternoon on the 14th, peaking with the cold frontal passage. Areas across northwest Colorado first saw impacts in the evening of the 14th, with the strong winds spreading southward through the early morning hours of the 15th. Highest wind gusts, up to around 100 mph, were confined to elevations above 10,000 feet, thus limiting impacts from the event.