Dust Storm — Cheyenne County, Colorado

2020-12-23 · Cheyenne County, Colorado

Event narrative

Blowing dust caused by high winds reduced visibility down to zero in some areas of Cheyenne county on the morning of 12/23/20. These conditions resulted in a 10 vehicle pileup accident west of Wild Horse, CO at mile marker 432 on Highway 40/287 at 8:55 AM MST. Seven people were injured with four in serious condition in this accident. Key impacts: hazardous traveling conditions, vehicle accidents, blowing dust, dust storm.

Wider weather episode

The east-central portion of Colorado saw non-thunderstorm high sustained winds and gusts associated with a cold front beginning in the afternoon hours of December 22nd that continued until the afternoon hours of December 23rd. The highest sustained winds were recorded at 48 mph 17 miles north of Flagler, CO with the highest wind gust recorded by the Burlington, CO ASOS at 75 mph. These winds caused some damage in the area along with reduced visibilities due to blowing dust and blowing snow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 935402. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.