Colorado, 1996

High Wind in Colorado, February 26, 1996

February 26, 1996 · NWS GJT · 1 event in 1 county or zone

A quonset-type greenhouse from a retail business in Cortez was torn loose from its moorings by a strong gust of wind. The crumpled metal remains of the greenhouse came down in a residential area, slamming into a chain link fence before coming to rest against a house.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$8,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.

A quonset-type greenhouse from a retail business in Cortez was torn loose from its moorings by a strong gust of wind. The crumpled metal remains of the greenhouse came down in a residential area, slamming into a chain link fence before coming to rest against a house.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Four Corners / Upper Dolores River Basin

When
February 26, 6:45 AM MST to 6:46 AM MST
Where
Four Corners / Upper Dolores River Basin forecast zone
Property damage
$8,000
Coordinates
37.698, -108.507 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Colorado in 1996Every state in 1996This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, February 1996

Sources

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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5540379.