High Wind — Washington County, Colorado

2020-10-11 · Washington County, Colorado

Event narrative

Peak wind gusts included 68 mph at Akron-Washington County Airport.

Wider weather episode

A fast moving storm system moved across northern Colorado and produced a period of very strong winds the mountains and foothills initially. The strong winds spread across the northeast plains behind the passage of a strong cold front. In spite of the cooler temperatures, fire weather conditions remained extreme in the Cameron Peak fire due to strong winds and low relative humidity.

In and near the Front Range mountains and foothills, peak gusts included: 82 mph near Buckeye, 81 mph at the junction of CO93 and CO72; 77 mph atop Berthoud Pass and 68 mph near LaPorte. Across the urban corridor and northeast plains, peak gusts included: 71 mph near Briggsdale, 69 mph near Limon, 68 mph at Akron, 65 mph near Wiggins, 64 mph near Eaton, Pawnee Buttes, Platteville and Severence; 63 mph at Cedar Point, near Natural Fort Rest Area and Nunn; 62 mph at Superior, 60 mph at Platteville, near Sterling and 11 miles west-northwest of Westplains; 59 mph at Denver International Airport, 7 miles south-southwest of Hugo, near Loveland, and 7 miles northeast of Purcell.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 922658. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.