High Wind in San Juan River Basin, Colorado

An approaching cold front induced strong winds across western Colorado. Gusts of 50 to 60 MPH were common. Some peak measured wind gusts include 92 MPH on Huntsman Mesa in southwest Gunnison County, 84 MPH near Hotchkiss, 77 MPH near Ignacio, 74 MPH at Jacks Canyon on the Uncompahgre Plateau, 73 MPH near Montrose, 73 MPH on the Tavaputs Plateau just north of Palisade, and 67 MPH about 20 miles northwest of Craig. The strong winds downed many trees and a number of power poles. Several vehicles were smashed or damaged by fallen trees. Several mobile homes were destroyed when they were blown from their moorings. Many houses and businesses sustained damage, mostly as a result of being struck by fallen trees or by having the roofs blown off. Within one particular community in La Plata County, 20 houses were damaged. Electrical power and telephone service was disrupted in many areas for up to several hours. Many controlled burns became out-of-control fires.