High Wind — Sedgwick County, Colorado

2017-03-06 · Sedgwick County, Colorado

Wider weather episode

High wind gusts, ranging from 60 to 70 mph, combined with very dry conditions produced extreme fire danger and spawned a massive brush fire that consumed 30 thousand acres over eastern Logan and northwest Phillips Counties. The blowing dust and smoke reduced visibilities in the area as well. Colorado Highway 71 from Brush to Limon was closed due to several crashes and brown out conditions. In Aurora, fire crews responded to a brush fire near Gun Club Road and Jewell Avenue. It burned approximately 290 acres before it was contained. Strong winds also downed a tree which crushed a parked car in a driveway.

Peak wind gusts included: 83 mph, 5 miles south of Berthoud; 70 mph at Akron, 68 mph near Twin Buttes; 66 mph, 8 miles south of Holyoke, 64 mph near the Natural Fort Rest Area; 63 mph at Centennial, 7 miles southwest of Carr; 62 mph near Briggsdale and the Ft. Morgan Airport; 61 mph, 8 miles south-southwest of Grover; 60 mph at Holyoke and Last Chance; 58 mph near Bennett, Cedar Point and at Denver International Airport.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 673656. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.