Winter Storm — Saguache County East of Continental Divide Below 10000 Ft, Colorado

1996-04-13 · Saguache County East of Continental Divide Below 10000 Ft, Colorado

Wider weather episode

A strong winter storm moved across Colorado from the west starting on the morning of the 13th...bringing significant snowfall to the mountains and the plains. 6 to 12 inches of snow fell across the high terrain, while 4 to 8 inches fell across the plains. Steady 20 to 40 mph winds...with higher gusts from the north produced blowing snow and reduced visibilities, prompting many road closures across the higher elevations. Near blizzard conditions struck Colorado Springs causing many stranded vehicles. A cold front associated with this system then swept through that afternoon...produced high winds and substantial damage across the southeast plains. A gust of 69 mph was reported in La Junta in Otero county the evening of the 13th, knocking down fences, uprooting trees, and damaging 75 to 100 street signs. One mobile home was destroyed. In Fowler in Otero county, four roofs were blown off in the downtown area. Las Animas county reported up to 8 inches of snow, and wind gusts up to an estimated 70 mph, knocking out power to an estimated 6900 customers for about 3 hours late on the 13th and early on the 14th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5544200. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.