Colorado, 1997

Damaging Wind in Colorado, September 20, 1997

September 20, 1997 · NWS GJT · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Outflow winds from an approaching thunderstorm sent five airline baggage carts travelling about 50 feet before plowing into a glider plane.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$5,000
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.

Outflow winds from an approaching thunderstorm sent five airline baggage carts travelling about 50 feet before plowing into a glider plane.

The radar

The Grand Junction radar (KGJX), 179 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:16 UTC.

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Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Routt

When
September 20, 3:15 PM MST to 3:20 PM MST
Where
Routt County, Hayden Arpt
Measured
55 kt (63 mph)
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
40.480, -107.220

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Colorado in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, September 1997

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: 5617311.