High winds overriding a shallow Arctic airmass eventually mixed down to the surface allowing for warmer temperatures in the upper teens to mid 20s over portions of eastern Larimer and Weld Counties, although wind chill readings were still well below zero. New Raymer registered a peak wind gust to 78 mph (68 kts) during the early afternoon while a gust to 65 mph (57 kts) was recorded 5 miles…
Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS BOU wrote it up.
High winds overriding a shallow Arctic airmass eventually mixed down to the surface allowing for warmer temperatures in the upper teens to mid 20s over portions of eastern Larimer and Weld Counties, although wind chill readings were still well below zero. New Raymer registered a peak wind gust to 78 mph (68 kts) during the early afternoon while a gust to 65 mph (57 kts) was recorded 5 miles northwest of Fort Collins around noon. In addition, a semi-truck hauling a mobile home was knocked out of control by high winds west of I-76, near Brush. Two truckers were shaken up, one received minor injuries. Damage to the truck and mobile home were listed as extreme. The truck and trailer slid 200 ft. and 120 ft. respectively before rolling at least one time.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
4 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 1996Every state in 1996This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, December 1996
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5577837, 5577838, 5577839, 5577840.