High Wind — Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Highway 264, Arizona

1999-03-31 · Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Highway 264, Arizona

Event narrative

Very strong pre frontal southerly winds wrecked havoc across northern Arizona this afternoon. Early in the event, 90 mph (78kt) winds were measured at the Meteor Crater. Other peak wind gusts include 93 mph (81 kt) at the Winslow Airport, 104 mph (90kt) at the St. Johns Airport, and 60 mph (52 kt) at the Petrified Forest. The long duration of very strong winds induced large areas of blowing dust across the east central sections of the state. Interstate 40 westbound between Winslow and Holbrook and eastbound from Flagstaff to Holbrook was closed for eleven hours due to the cleanup of several car accidents and blown over semi trailers. During the height of the event, visibilities were down to zero on Interstate 40 in the vicinity of Winslow, with one traffic fatality occurring in a ten car pile up. A second fatality occurred 5 miles south of Snowflake when a passenger van was blown across the road and head on into a semi. On Navajo route 15, seventeen students were injured after their school bus went head on into a semi. Winds estimated at 100 mph had reduced visibilities to zero in this accident. There were numerous reports of power lines down and damaged roofs in Winslow, Leupp, and Joseph City.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5688142. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.