Alert archive / Colorado / High Wind Watches in 2012

High Wind Watch 2, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

February 20, 201210 counties in Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this high wind watch at Feb 20, 2012, 4:25 AM MST for 10 counties in Colorado. It took effect at Feb 21, 2012, 6:00 AM MST. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 20, 2012, 4:25 AM MST (11:25 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 21, 2012, 6:00 AM MST
Expired
Feb 21, 2012, 4:17 AM MST
In force
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

Counties Boulder County, CO, Clear Creek County, CO, Douglas County, CO, Gilpin County, CO, Grand County, CO, Jackson County, CO, Jefferson County, CO, Larimer County, CO, Park County, CO, Summit County, CO

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:26 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 00:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 206 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Denver, CO at 00:00Z on 2012-02-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Denver, CO at 00:00Z on 2012-02-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 121 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1844 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
121 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
114 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

036 
WWUS75 KBOU 201125
NPWBOU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
425 AM MST MON FEB 20 2012

...WINDY CONDITIONS ALONG THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE FRONT RANGE
MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY...

.A JET MOVING TOWARD THE STATE WILL PRODUCE STRONG NORTHWEST FLOW
WHICH WILL COMBINE WITH A STABLE AIRMASS AND STRENGTHENING SURFACE
PRESSURE GRADIENT TO CREATE VERY WINDY CONDITIONS OVER THE HIGH
COUNTRY EAST OF THE DIVIDE. WINDS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO GUST TO 75
MPH ON TUESDAY...INCREASING TO 85 MPH ON WEDNESDAY.

COZ033>036-201900-
/O.NEW.KBOU.HW.A.0002.120221T1300Z-120223T1300Z/
SOUTH AND EAST JACKSON/LARIMER/NORTH AND NORTHEAST GRAND/
NORTHWEST BOULDER COUNTIES ABOVE 9000 FEET-
SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST GRAND/WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST BOULDER/
GILPIN/CLEAR CREEK/SUMMIT/NORTH AND WEST PARK COUNTIES ABOVE
9000 FEET-LARIMER AND BOULDER COUNTIES BETWEEN 6000 AND 9000 FEET-
JEFFERSON AND WEST DOUGLAS COUNTIES ABOVE 6000 FEET/GILPIN/CLEAR
CREEK/NORTHEAST PARK COUNTIES BELOW 9000 FEET-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CAMERON PASS...
LARAMIE AND MEDICINE BOW MOUNTAINS...RABBIT EARS RANGE...
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK...WILLOW CREEK PASS...
BERTHOUD PASS...BRECKENRIDGE...EAST SLOPES MOSQUITO RANGE...
EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN GORE RANGE...EISENHOWER TUNNEL...
INDIAN PEAKS...KENOSHA MOUNTAINS...MOUNT EVANS...
WILLIAMS FORK MOUNTAINS...WINTER PARK...ESTES PARK...GLENDEVEY...
NEDERLAND...RED FEATHER LAKES...BAILEY...CENTRAL CITY...
EVERGREEN...GEORGETOWN...IDAHO SPRINGS...WESTCREEK
425 AM MST MON FEB 20 2012

...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT. 

* TIMING...WINDS WILL INCREASE JUST AFTER SUNRISE TUESDAY MORNING
  AND STEADILY INCREASE THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING BEFORE
  DECREASING THROUGH THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* WINDS...GUSTS UP TO 75 MPH POSSIBLE ON TUESDAY...INCREASING TO
  85 MPH POSSIBLE ON WEDNESDAY. THESE STRONG WINDS WILL BE
  CONFINED TO THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS AND
  FOOTHILLS WITH LIGHTER WINDS WEST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

* IMPACTS...THESE STRONG WINDS MAY CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND
  DRIFTING SNOW EAST OF THE DIVIDE AND OVER THE HIGHER
  FOOTHILLS...REDUCING VISIBILITIES AND CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING
  CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THAT STRONG AND POTENTIALLY
DAMAGING WINDS MAY OCCUR.  PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD
REMAIN ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HIGH WINDS AND BE PREPARED TO
TAKE ACTION SHOULD HIGH WINDS DEVELOP.

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
999 
WWUS75 KBOU 202255
NPWBOU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
355 PM MST MON FEB 20 2012

...WINDY CONDITIONS EXPECTED ALONG THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE
FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY...

.AN UPPER LEVEL JET STREAM MOVING TOWARD COLORADO IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE
STRONG NORTHWEST FLOW ALOFT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. THIS WILL COMBINE
WITH A STABLE AIRMASS AND STRENGTHENING SURFACE PRESSURE GRADIENT TO
CREATE VERY WINDY CONDITIONS OVER THE HIGH COUNTRY EAST OF THE DIVIDE.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WINDS WILL GUST TO 75 MPH ON TUESDAY...INCREASING
TO 85 MPH ON WEDNESDAY.

COZ033>036-210700-
/O.CON.KBOU.HW.A.0002.120221T1300Z-120223T1300Z/
SOUTH AND EAST JACKSON/LARIMER/NORTH AND NORTHEAST GRAND/
NORTHWEST BOULDER COUNTIES ABOVE 9000 FEET-
SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST GRAND/WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST BOULDER/
GILPIN/CLEAR CREEK/SUMMIT/NORTH AND WEST PARK COUNTIES ABOVE
9000 FEET-LARIMER AND BOULDER COUNTIES BETWEEN 6000 AND 9000 FEET-
JEFFERSON AND WEST DOUGLAS COUNTIES ABOVE 6000 FEET/GILPIN/CLEAR
CREEK/NORTHEAST PARK COUNTIES BELOW 9000 FEET-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CAMERON PASS...
LARAMIE AND MEDICINE BOW MOUNTAINS...RABBIT EARS RANGE...
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK...WILLOW CREEK PASS...
BERTHOUD PASS...BRECKENRIDGE...EAST SLOPES MOSQUITO RANGE...
EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN GORE RANGE...EISENHOWER TUNNEL...
INDIAN PEAKS...KENOSHA MOUNTAINS...MOUNT EVANS...
WILLIAMS FORK MOUNTAINS...WINTER PARK...ESTES PARK...GLENDEVEY...
NEDERLAND...RED FEATHER LAKES...BAILEY...CENTRAL CITY...
EVERGREEN...GEORGETOWN...IDAHO SPRINGS...WESTCREEK
355 PM MST MON FEB 20 2012

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH
LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

* TIMING...WINDS ARE EXPECTED INCREASE JUST AFTER SUNRISE TUESDAY
  MORNING AND STEADILY INCREASE THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING BEFORE
  DECREASING THROUGH THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* WINDS...GUSTS UP TO 75 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE ON TUESDAY...
  INCREASING TO 85 MPH ON WEDNESDAY. THESE STRONG WINDS WILL BE
  CONFINED TO THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS AND
  FOOTHILLS WITH LIGHTER WINDS WEST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

* IMPACTS...THESE STRONG WINDS MAY CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND 
  DRIFTING SNOW EAST OF THE DIVIDE AND OVER THE HIGHER 
  FOOTHILLS...REDUCING VISIBILITIES AND CREATING HAZARDOUS 
  DRIVING CONDITIONS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THAT STRONG AND POTENTIALLY
DAMAGING WINDS MAY OCCUR.  PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD
REMAIN ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HIGH WINDS AND BE PREPARED TO
TAKE ACTION SHOULD HIGH WINDS DEVELOP.

&&

$$
675 
WWUS75 KBOU 210332
NPWBOU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
832 PM MST MON FEB 20 2012

...WINDY CONDITIONS EXPECTED ALONG THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE
FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY...

.AN UPPER LEVEL JET STREAM MOVING TOWARD COLORADO IS EXPECTED TO
PRODUCE STRONG NORTHWEST FLOW ALOFT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.
THIS WILL COMBINE WITH A STABLE AIRMASS AND STRENGTHENING SURFACE
PRESSURE GRADIENT TO CREATE VERY WINDY CONDITIONS OVER THE HIGH
COUNTRY EAST OF THE DIVIDE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WINDS WILL GUST
TO 75 MPH ON TUESDAY...INCREASING TO 85 MPH ON WEDNESDAY.

COZ033>036-211145-
/O.CON.KBOU.HW.A.0002.120221T1300Z-120223T1300Z/
SOUTH AND EAST JACKSON/LARIMER/NORTH AND NORTHEAST GRAND/
NORTHWEST BOULDER COUNTIES ABOVE 9000 FEET-
SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST GRAND/WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST BOULDER/
GILPIN/CLEAR CREEK/SUMMIT/NORTH AND WEST PARK COUNTIES ABOVE
9000 FEET-LARIMER AND BOULDER COUNTIES BETWEEN 6000 AND 9000 FEET-
JEFFERSON AND WEST DOUGLAS COUNTIES ABOVE 6000 FEET/GILPIN/CLEAR
CREEK/NORTHEAST PARK COUNTIES BELOW 9000 FEET-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CAMERON PASS...
LARAMIE AND MEDICINE BOW MOUNTAINS...RABBIT EARS RANGE...
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK...WILLOW CREEK PASS...
BERTHOUD PASS...BRECKENRIDGE...EAST SLOPES MOSQUITO RANGE...
EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN GORE RANGE...EISENHOWER TUNNEL...
INDIAN PEAKS...KENOSHA MOUNTAINS...MOUNT EVANS...
WILLIAMS FORK MOUNTAINS...WINTER PARK...ESTES PARK...GLENDEVEY...
NEDERLAND...RED FEATHER LAKES...BAILEY...CENTRAL CITY...
EVERGREEN...GEORGETOWN...IDAHO SPRINGS...WESTCREEK
832 PM MST MON FEB 20 2012

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM MST TUESDAY
THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

* TIMING...WINDS ARE EXPECTED INCREASE JUST AFTER SUNRISE 
  TUESDAY MORNING AND STEADILY INCREASE THROUGH WEDNESDAY 
  EVENING BEFORE DECREASING THROUGH THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT. 

* WINDS...GUSTS UP TO 75 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE ON TUESDAY... 
  INCREASING TO 85 MPH ON WEDNESDAY. THESE STRONG WINDS WILL BE 
  CONFINED TO THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS 
  AND FOOTHILLS WITH LIGHTER WINDS WEST OF THE CONTINENTAL 
  DIVIDE. 

* IMPACTS...THESE STRONG WINDS MAY CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND 
  DRIFTING SNOW EAST OF THE DIVIDE AND OVER THE HIGHER 
  FOOTHILLS...REDUCING VISIBILITIES AND CREATING HAZARDOUS 
  DRIVING CONDITIONS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THAT STRONG AND POTENTIALLY
DAMAGING WINDS MAY OCCUR.  PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD
REMAIN ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HIGH WINDS AND BE PREPARED TO
TAKE ACTION SHOULD HIGH WINDS DEVELOP.

&&

$$
626 
WWUS75 KBOU 211117
NPWBOU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
417 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...WINDY CONDITIONS EXPECTED ALONG THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE
FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS...FOOTHILLS AND ADJACENT PLAINS TONIGHT AND
WEDNESDAY...

.AN UPPER LEVEL JET STREAM MOVING TOWARD COLORADO IS EXPECTED TO
PRODUCE STRONG NORTHWEST FLOW ALOFT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.
THIS WILL COMBINE WITH A STABLE AIRMASS AND STRENGTHENING SURFACE
PRESSURE GRADIENT TO CREATE STRONG AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS 
OVER THE HIGH COUNTRY EAST OF THE DIVIDE WHICH WILL BE EXPECTED
TO MOVE DOWN INTO THE FOOTHILLS AND THE NEARBY PLAINS. WIND GUSTS
TO AROUND 80 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED...ALTHOUGH A FEW WIND PRONE AREAS
COULD SEE GUSTS NEAR 100 MPH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

COZ033>036-212000-
/O.UPG.KBOU.HW.A.0002.120221T1300Z-120223T1300Z/
/O.NEW.KBOU.HW.W.0005.120222T0600Z-120223T1200Z/
SOUTH AND EAST JACKSON/LARIMER/NORTH AND NORTHEAST GRAND/
NORTHWEST BOULDER COUNTIES ABOVE 9000 FEET-
SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST GRAND/WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST BOULDER/
GILPIN/CLEAR CREEK/SUMMIT/NORTH AND WEST PARK COUNTIES ABOVE
9000 FEET-LARIMER AND BOULDER COUNTIES BETWEEN 6000 AND 9000 FEET-
JEFFERSON AND WEST DOUGLAS COUNTIES ABOVE 6000 FEET/GILPIN/CLEAR
CREEK/NORTHEAST PARK COUNTIES BELOW 9000 FEET-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CAMERON PASS...
LARAMIE AND MEDICINE BOW MOUNTAINS...RABBIT EARS RANGE...
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK...WILLOW CREEK PASS...
BERTHOUD PASS...BRECKENRIDGE...EAST SLOPES MOSQUITO RANGE...
EAST SLOPES SOUTHERN GORE RANGE...EISENHOWER TUNNEL...
INDIAN PEAKS...KENOSHA MOUNTAINS...MOUNT EVANS...
WILLIAMS FORK MOUNTAINS...WINTER PARK...ESTES PARK...GLENDEVEY...
NEDERLAND...RED FEATHER LAKES...BAILEY...CENTRAL CITY...
EVERGREEN...GEORGETOWN...IDAHO SPRINGS...WESTCREEK
417 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM
MST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM MST
THURSDAY. THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* TIMING...WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE JUST AFTER SUNSET
  TONIGHT AND REMAIN STRONG THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT BEFORE
  DECREASING BY THURSDAY MORNING.

* WINDS...PEAK GUSTS TO BETWEEN 80 AND 100 MPH. THESE STRONGEST
  WINDS WILL BE CONFINED TO THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE FRONT RANGE
  MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS WITH LIGHTER WINDS WEST OF THE
  CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

* IMPACTS...THESE STRONG WINDS WILL CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND
  DRIFTING SNOW ALONG AND EAST OF THE DIVIDE AND OVER THE HIGHER
  FOOTHILLS...REDUCING VISIBILITIES AND CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING
  CONDITIONS.

* OTHER IMPACTS...STRONG WINDS MAY ALSO DOWN SOME TREES AND
  PRODUCE SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS THAT STRONG AND POTENTIALLY
DAMAGING WINDS ARE EITHER OCCURRING OR HIGHLY LIKELY.

IN ADDITION TO POWERFUL CROSSWINDS...DRIVERS SHOULD ALSO
ANTICIPATE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW THAT WILL REDUCE VISIBILITY TO
NEAR ZERO CAUSING BRIEF WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.

&&

$$

COZ038-039-212000-
/O.NEW.KBOU.HW.W.0005.120222T0600Z-120223T1200Z/
LARIMER COUNTY BELOW 6000 FEET/NORTHWEST WELD COUNTY-
BOULDER AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES BELOW 6000 FEET/WEST BROOMFIELD
COUNTY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FORT COLLINS...HEREFORD...LOVELAND...
NUNN...ARVADA...BOULDER...GOLDEN...LAKEWOOD...LONGMONT
417 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM
MST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM MST
THURSDAY. 

* TIMING...WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE JUST AFTER SUNSET
  TONIGHT AND REMAIN STRONG THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT BEFORE
  DECREASING BEFORE DAYBREAK THURSDAY.

* WINDS...GUSTS BETWEEN 75 AND 85 MPH. THESE STRONG WINDS WILL BE
  FOUND CLOSE TO THE BASE OF THE FOOTHILLS WITH LIGHTER WINDS
  FARTHER EAST TOWARD I-25.

* IMPACTS...THESE STRONG WINDS MAY CAUSE HAZARDOUS DRIVING
  CONDITIONS FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES NEAR THE BASE OF THE
  FOOTHILLS...ESPECIALLY ALONG HIGHWAY 93 BETWEEN GOLDEN AND
  BOULDER...U.S. 36 BETWEEN BROOMFIELD AND LYONS...AS WELL AS UP
  BY CARTER LAKE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS THAT STRONG AND POTENTIALLY
DAMAGING WINDS ARE EITHER OCCURRING OR HIGHLY LIKELY.

RESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREA ARE URGED TO BRING INDOORS ANY LOOSE
ITEMS SUCH AS GARBAGE CANS AND PATIO FURNITURE THAT MAY BE BLOWN
ABOUT BY THE STRONG WINDS.
&&

$$

KRIEDERMAN/BARJENBRUCH

Nearby

High Wind Watches in Colorado, 2012Every high wind watch in 2012

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.