Information that 2021’s Marshall fireplace was despatched into overdrive by all-day, hurricane-force winds arrived on a 2024 Colorado climate day with 60 mph gusts within the foothills.
Entrance Vary patio furnishings is crusing into Aurora, whereas the dearth of January snow cowl is eerily just like the extra-dry situations that helped flip Marshall right into a $2 billion catastrophe. The Nationwide Climate Service saved its official excessive wind warnings immediately for southern Wyoming, however Entrance Vary risks abound.
However none of that is that near the worst wind day in Colorado, in keeping with a fast check-in with the identical NOAA people who put out the brand new examine on wildfires and winds.
Right here’s a take a look at a few of these worst days:
- In 1971, we hit 147. That’s miles per hour. Recorded by sensors on the mesa the place the Nationwide Middle for Atmospheric Analysis sits above Boulder.
- Downtown Boulder hit 130 mph with winds in 1969.
- What NOAA calls “the large one” got here in January 1982. Winds reached 136 mph at NCAR by 2:30 that morning. Lyons hit 136 mph. There have been 20 gusts recorded over 120 mph. Whereas fireplace wasn’t an element, the wind was dangerous sufficient, with 40% of Boulder buildings reporting harm.
- Desk Mesa reached 131 mph gusts in September of 1986. In case you’re seeing a sample right here, it’s as a result of the Boulder County/Jefferson County border is certainly a funnel for downslope winds that crash onto the plains on the western Denver metro suburbs.
- And at last, when you’re in search of one other January comparability, NOAA checked out their books again to 1994, on Desk Mesa: a sensor on Jan. 24 reached 143 mph, the second highest wind gust ever measured there. Up to now.
