High Wind — Cochise County, Arizona

2010-01-21 to 2010-01-22 · Cochise County, Arizona

Event narrative

Several reports of high winds and wind damage were received from Cochise County during the afternoon and evening hours. The ASOS at Fort Huachuca measured a wind gust of 63 mph at 1:55 PM MST. At approximately 6 PM, a 70-foot transmission power pole was downed by the high winds along Buffalo Soldier Trail near Sierra Vista, resulting in a loss of power to approximately half of Sierra Vista. Seven additional power poles were downed near the intersection of Ramsey Road and Highway 92, resulting in power losses to another 500 residences. A trained spotter measured a wind gust of 67 mph at Bisbee at 10:39 PM MST, while another trained spotter measured a wind gust of 78 mph, 6 miles northwest of Pearce-Sunsites, at 11:30 PM MST. Damaging winds downed several trees across Monument Roadway near Chiricahua National Monument.

Wider weather episode

An exceptionally strong Pacific storm system impacted southeast Arizona, producing a wide variety of weather. Widespread heavy valley rain and higher elevation snow affected all of southeast Arizona. Additionally, the storm produced a significant wind event, with strong and damaging winds reported at many locations, along with areas of blowing dust. Heavy rainfall and melting snowpack produced some flooding of area streams and washes, and the combination of heavy snow and strong winds produced blizzard conditions on the highest elevations at times. Also, several severe thunderstorms produced wind damage during the evening of the 21st.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 205124. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.