A strong southwest flow aloft resulted in very strong winds and blizzard-like conditions in the western San Juan Mountains and on the Grand Mesa. Measured peak gusts included 70 MPH (61 knots) at Powderhorn Ski Area, 83 MPH (72 knots) at the top of Telluride Ski Area, 95 MPH (83 knots) on Red Mountain Pass, and 122 MPH (106 knots) on Mount Abrams.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 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 GJT wrote it up.
A strong southwest flow aloft resulted in very strong winds and blizzard-like conditions in the western San Juan Mountains and on the Grand Mesa. Measured peak gusts included 70 MPH (61 knots) at Powderhorn Ski Area, 83 MPH (72 knots) at the top of Telluride Ski Area, 95 MPH (83 knots) on Red Mountain Pass, and 122 MPH (106 knots) on Mount Abrams.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 1999Every state in 1999This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, January 1999
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: 5685461, 5685462, 5685463.