Colorado, 1999

High Wind in Colorado, March 31, 1999

March 31, 1999 · NWS GJT · 1 event in 1 county or zone

A strong southwest flow ahead of a Pacific trough produced wind gusts in excess of 70 MPH in the western San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. Reported peak gusts include 109 MPH (95 knots) on Mount Abrams, 84 MPH at Red Mountain Pass, 82 MPH at the top of Telluride Ski Area, and 73 MPH on Prospect Ridge.

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
None recorded
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 strong southwest flow ahead of a Pacific trough produced wind gusts in excess of 70 MPH in the western San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. Reported peak gusts include 109 MPH (95 knots) on Mount Abrams, 84 MPH at Red Mountain Pass, 82 MPH at the top of Telluride Ski Area, and 73 MPH on Prospect Ridge.

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, Northwestern San Juan Mountains / E Ouray / X Sw Gunnison / N Hinsdale / Se San Miguel

When
March 31, 2:00 PM MST to 10:00 PM MST
Where
Northwestern San Juan Mountains / E Ouray / X Sw Gunnison / N Hinsdale / Se San Miguel forecast zone
Measured
95 kt (109 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
38.210, -107.755 (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 1999Every state in 1999This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, March 1999

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: 5692138.