High Wind — Cochise County, Arizona

2009-12-07 to 2009-12-08 · Cochise County, Arizona

Event narrative

Widespread damaging winds occurred across Cochise County during the overnight hours. Law enforcement reported winds blew out windows of some businesses in Sierra Vista. Wind gusts near 70 mph blew portions of a roof off a warehouse in Sierra Vista, with the debris striking nearby power lines and causing power disruptions. Roof damage was also reported at a motel in Sierra Vista, with about half of the roof removed. Debris from the roof landed in a nearby parking lot, damaging several cars. High winds damaged a large sign at a restaurant, with numerous traffic signs receiving damage throughout the Sierra Vista area. Several reports of fallen trees and broken limbs were received, and at least four people in Sierra Vista reported falling trees causing damage to their vehicles. Strong winds caused damage to numerous power poles and power lines in Sierra Vista and surrounding Cochise County, resulting in power outages for thousands of homes and businesses. Many other power poles were damaged by the strong winds near Bowie, San Simon, and Willcox. The ASOS at Fort Huachuca measured a wind gust of 71 mph at 12:38 AM MST.

Wider weather episode

An intense winter storm passed through Arizona during the evening hours of December 7th and during the early morning hours of December 8th. Heavy snowfall and very strong winds combined to produce winter storm conditions in the mountains of southeast Arizona, with blizzard conditions occurring at times. A particularly strong pressure gradient south of this storm produced a significant nighttime high wind event across much of southeast Arizona, with many reports of damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 199005. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.