Another period of strong winds occurred in the afternoon and evening which impacted portion of the urban corridor and northeast plains of Colorado. Some of the strongest gusts included: 90 mph at the mouth Coal Creek Canyon; 86 mph, 6 miles northeast of Otis; 74 mph at Buckley AFB, with 71 mph at Akron-Colorado Regional Airport and near Sterling.
Every event with a place to put it; 10 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.
Another period of strong winds occurred in the afternoon and evening which impacted portion of the urban corridor and northeast plains of Colorado. Some of the strongest gusts included: 90 mph at the mouth Coal Creek Canyon; 86 mph, 6 miles northeast of Otis; 74 mph at Buckley AFB, with 71 mph at Akron-Colorado Regional Airport and near Sterling.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 22, 9:38 AM MST, 2 hours 52 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 1038 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 .UPDATE... Issued at 1025 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 ...EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER BEGINNING TO DEVELOP THIS MORNING... Surface observations this morning show very dry humidities across portions of the forecast area, setting the stage for a potentially very dangerous afternoon of fire weather. RAWS and ASOS data from the Foothills and the Denver metro are already reporting relative humidities in the 10-15% range, with a couple sites (DEN/BKF/CFO) already reporting 7-9% RH. Along the I-76 corridor, memories of this morning's fog are quickly fading as the very shallow low-level moisture has started to scour out. We'll see continued drying this afternoon as dew points continue to drop as a result of deep mixing... at least to 500mb... and perhaps higher if BUFKIT momentum transfer algorithms are correct. As the better mixing commences in the next couple of hours, winds should increase substantially as a result of the better mixing coinciding with the arrival of the H7/H5 speed maxima. The only changes in this forecast update have been to add more blowing dust to the far eastern plains and lower afternoon dew points a bit more, resulting in a widespread area of MinRH near 5% later today. The rest of the previous forecast is on track and no changes to the current headlines are planned. One other thing to watch... as noted by last nights shift... is the mountain wave potential tonight into Saturday. Recent CAMs are much more aggressive with the high wind potential, especially over the higher terrain of Boulder county, as a brief mountain wave develops. Will need to watch this closely, especially as many Foothills locations will see poor humidity recovery overnight tonight. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 402 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 ...EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE FOOTHILLS, PLAINS AND PARK COUNTY TODAY... Currently, there is some low cloudiness and even some fog in a few spots over the northeastern border areas of the CWA. Surface dew points are in the 50s and even lower 60s F there at this time. There is also some upper level cloudiness moving into the western CWA along with the next upper trough. There are fairly strong southerly winds over the Urban Corridor at this time. The rest of the plains have weak winds, and northeasterlies over the northeast corner. Models show an upper trough moving across the CWA tonight. There is decent upward vertical velocity progged on the QG Omega fields for the CWA today into the this evening as a result. The best ascent with the trough is to our north. The forecast is still on track for dry, very warm and windy conditions for the plains today into this evening. Models push that low level moisture out of the CWA by 18Z, with dew point readings in the teens to mid 20s F for this afternoon. Strong south- southwesterly low level winds are still progged as well for most of the plains. Progged speeds are pretty high, but marginal for high wind criteria. Will, nevertheless, leave highlights as is. It is close. As mentioned in previous discussions, blowing dust is expected, but no highlights for that at this time as there are plenty of highlights going over the plains already and I am not certain how significant that hazard will become. Will leave the areas of blowing dust going in the GFE grids for now. As far as thunderstorms are concerned, most of the models keep the 50 F plus surface dew points east of the CWA later this afternoon and evening. However, the NAM brings those into Sedgwick and Phillips Counties briefly, early this evening. Will leave some thunder in over the far northeastern corner only. Models show fairly decent moisture for the mountains late this afternoon and tonight with the upper trough. Will go with an advisory starting tonight going into the later periods for the high mountain zones. Temperatures will be be well above seasonal normals today, but not to record levels. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 302 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 By 12z Sat, an upper level storm system will be centered over wrn Nebraska, and then will move quickly into cntrl South Dakota by the aftn. Favorable orographics over the higher terrain combined with decent lapse rates will allow for snow showers thru the day, especially along and north of I-70. Over nern CO, there is some disagreement on whether some precip enhancement will occur over the far nern plains, in the morning. The ECMWF wants to develop some precip on the backside of the upper level low while the other models keep this band further to the north. At this time will keep in a chc of precip over the far nern plains in the morning. Meanwhile, there is some potential for strong winds in the foothills from 12z to 18z on Sat. Hi res cross-sections, show a brief critical layer developing, with cross-barrier flow increasing to 60 to 70 kts, as subsidence occurs in the mid levels. Thus may see strong winds over portions of the foothills in the normal windy spots. Across the plains, will see another windy day as well with gusts up to 50 mph in the aftn. Highs will be much cooler as readings drop back into the mid 50s to lower 60s. For Sat night into Sun morning, the upper level storm system will be over ern North Dakota into nwrn Minnesota with WNW flow aloft. Cross- sections continue to show some moisture embedded in the flow which will affect the mtns. With favorable orographics will likely see a continuation of snow showers with light accumulations. By Sun aftn into Sun night, a secondary weaker upper level system will move southeast across the area. This feature will bring an increase in snow shower activity over the higher terrain. Meanwhile, a secondary surge of cooler air will move into nern CO with enhancement of upslope flow in the aftn and evening. As a result, could see a better chc of showers along portions of the I-25 Corridor and foothills, with the snow level dropping down to 6500 feet by Sun evening. Highs across nern CO will only be in the 50s on Sun. By Mon, drier air in WNW flow aloft will move into the area with dry conditions. Temperatures will be near seasonal levels. For Tue and Wed, a flat upper level ridge will be over the area. This will lead to a dry pattern with a warming trend. Highs by Wed will be well above normal with readings in the upper 70s to lower 80s across the plains. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1025 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 VFR conditions expected at the terminals through tomorrow afternoon. Strong south/southwesterly winds are developing this morning and will continue through much of the day. A few gusts near 50kt are likely after 21z with patchy blowing dust possible at DEN. Not expecting significant visby impacts but there could be some issues on approach if a dust plume develops over the wrong spot. Winds will shift more to the west and weaken a touch this evening before turning more towards drainage flow after midnight. Strong northwesterly winds will develop tomorrow morning. No ceiling issues are anticipated. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 421 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 The critical fire weather conditions are expected for the plains, foothills and Park County today. Strong winds and very low relative humidities are the cause. The strong wind speeds expected would be disastrous for any fires that may start making wildfire control impossible. Cooler temperatures along with higher humidity will occur over the plains on Saturday. However, wind gusts from 40 to 50 mph will occur in the afternoon. Thus there will still be elevated fire conditions due to the gusty winds. Fire danger will decrease from Sunday into Monday as winds will be much weaker. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning until midnight MDT tonight for COZ040-041- 044>051. Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ214>216- 238>251. Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to midnight MDT Saturday night for COZ031-033-034. && UPDATE...Hiris SHORT TERM......RJK LONG TERM.......RPK AVIATION...Hiris FIRE WEATHER....RJK/RPK
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 1101 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 COZ030>051-231715- Jackson County Below 9000 Feet- West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet- Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet- South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/ Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet- South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/ Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above 9000 Feet-Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet- Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet- Central and Southeast Park County- Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County- Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield County- North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County- Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet- Northeast Weld County-Central and South Weld County-Morgan County- Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties- North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln County- Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County- Logan County-Washington County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County- 1101 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022 ...EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND VERY WINDY TODAY FOR THE LOWER ELEVATIONS AND THE EAST SLOPES OF THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS... This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Extreme fire weather conditions will continue over the plains and foothills through this evening. Very warm, dry, and windy weather will make any new wildfire extremely difficult, if not impossible, to control. The strong winds will also create blowing dust and localized poor visibilities causing hazardous travel conditions out on the plains. A few thunderstorms are possible across the far northeast corner of Colorado this evening. The storms could produce hail and strong winds. Snow is expected late this afternoon and tonight for the high mountains, with scattered rain and snow showers in the foothills and high valleys tonight and isolated rain showers over the northeast plains. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Mountain areas will see rain and snow showers Saturday into Saturday evening with 6 to 12 inches of snow in some areas, with slick travel conditions over the higher mountain passes. At lower elevations if will remain windy with gusts from 40 to 50 mph over the plains. The foothills could see some strong winds Saturday morning with a few gusts up to 70 mph. On Sunday, a weak upper level system will bring more rain and snow showers to the higher terrain, with a chance of rain showers at lower elevations. The coming week will see warmer temperatures along with dry and breezy conditions. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Reports of high winds or damage will be appreciated. Hiris/Gimmestad
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
129 PM MDT FRI APR 22 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0115 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 S COPPER MOUNTAIN 39.48N 106.15W
04/22/2022 M58 MPH SUMMIT CO AWOS
AWOS STATION KCCU RED CLIFF PASS.
1239 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 ESE AKRON 40.16N 103.20W
04/22/2022 M55 MPH WASHINGTON CO MESONET
MESONET STATION EW7755 AKRON.
0410 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 4 W CASTLE ROCK 39.37N 104.92W
04/21/2022 M54 MPH DOUGLAS CO MESONET
MESONET STATION FW8819 CASTLE ROCK.
1045 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 N COPPER MOUNTAIN 39.52N 106.15W
04/22/2022 M54 MPH SUMMIT CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO154 I-70 COPPER MTN.
1255 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 E LIMON 39.27N 103.67W
04/22/2022 M54 MPH LINCOLN CO ASOS
ASOS STATION KLIC LIMON.
0341 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SSE CENTENNIAL 39.57N 104.85W
04/21/2022 M51 MPH ARAPAHOE CO ASOS
ASOS STATION KAPA CENTENNIAL AIRPORT.
1237 PM NON-TSTM WND GST AKRON 40.17N 103.22W
04/22/2022 M51 MPH WASHINGTON CO ASOS
ASOS STATION KAKO AKRON.
0115 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SE NIWOT 40.06N 105.12W
04/22/2022 M51 MPH BOULDER CO MESONET
MESONET STATION FW3675 LAFAYETTE.
0107 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 8 NNW BOYERO 39.02N 103.35W
04/22/2022 M50 MPH LINCOLN CO MESONET
MESONET STATION UP711 7.7 NW BOYERO (UPR).
0108 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 8 S HOLYOKE 40.47N 102.30W
04/22/2022 M50 MPH PHILLIPS CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO048 US 385 HOLYOKE.
0340 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 NNE LONE TREE 39.56N 104.87W
04/21/2022 M49 MPH DOUGLAS CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO001 I-25 AND C470.
1223 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 S CHEESMAN RESERVOIR 39.18N 105.27W
04/22/2022 M49 MPH DOUGLAS CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CHRC2 CHEESMAN.
1235 PM NON-TSTM WND GST HUGO 39.14N 103.47W
04/22/2022 M49 MPH LINCOLN CO MESONET
MESONET STATION EW0539 HUGO.
1258 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 S CEDAR POINT 39.31N 103.83W
04/22/2022 M49 MPH ELBERT CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO066 CEDAR POINT.
0211 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 W KEENESBURG 40.11N 104.57W
04/21/2022 M48 MPH WELD CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO038 076E037 KEENESBURG.
0415 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 9 N MANILA VILLAGE 39.89N 104.50W
04/21/2022 M48 MPH ADAMS CO MESONET
MESONET STATION EW6017 BENNETT.
0535 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SE JULESBURG 40.97N 102.25W
04/21/2022 M48 MPH SEDGWICK CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO034 I-76 JULESBURG.
1215 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 7 SSW HUGO 39.04N 103.52W
04/22/2022 M48 MPH LINCOLN CO MESONET
MESONET STATION EW9214 HUGO.
1246 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E GUFFEY 38.75N 105.48W
04/22/2022 M48 MPH PARK CO MESONET
MESONET STATION FW9987 GUFFEY.
1258 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 N LOVELAND PASS 39.69N 105.88W
04/22/2022 M48 MPH CLEAR CREEK CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO125 LOVELAND PASS.
0211 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 WNW FRISCO 39.58N 106.11W
04/21/2022 M47 MPH SUMMIT CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO153 I-70 FRISCO.
0252 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 ESE STERLING 40.62N 103.17W
04/21/2022 M47 MPH LOGAN CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO035 I-76 STERLING.
0433 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SE DENVER INTL AIRPOR 39.85N 104.65W
04/21/2022 M47 MPH DENVER CO ASOS
ASOS STATION KDEN DENVER INTL AIRPORT.
0717 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 NNE CASTLE PINES 39.49N 104.87W
04/21/2022 M47 MPH DOUGLAS CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO073 SURREY RIDGE.
0100 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 7 WNW SIMLA 39.20N 104.19W
04/22/2022 M47 MPH ELBERT CO MESONET
MESONET STATION EW7240 7 WNW SIMLA.
0605 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 10 E ARAPAHOE PARK 39.61N 104.51W
04/21/2022 M46 MPH ARAPAHOE CO MESONET
MESONET STATION AV686 BENNETT.
0720 PM NON-TSTM WND GST FRANKTOWN 39.39N 104.75W
04/21/2022 M46 MPH DOUGLAS CO MESONET
MESONET STATION FKTC2 FRANKTOWN.
0755 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 ENE BERTHOUD PASS 39.80N 105.77W
04/22/2022 M46 MPH GRAND CO AWOS
AWOS STATION K0CO BERTHOUD PASS.
1247 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SW ROCKY FLATS 39.87N 105.24W
04/22/2022 M46 MPH JEFFERSON CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO109 ROCKY FLATS HWY 93 AND
72.
1258 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E UNION 40.35N 103.44W
04/22/2022 M46 MPH WASHINGTON CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO183 I-76 MERINO EXIT.
0115 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SE HOLYOKE 40.57N 102.28W
04/22/2022 M46 MPH PHILLIPS CO AWOS
AWOS STATION KHEQ HOLYOKE AIRPORT.
0302 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 ENE WIGGINS 40.25N 104.04W
04/21/2022 M45 MPH MORGAN CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO039 076W067 WIGGINS BIJOU
CREEK.
0434 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 S CASTLE PINES 39.42N 104.88W
04/21/2022 M45 MPH DOUGLAS CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO075 025S185 FOUNDERS
POINT.
1202 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 WSW PLEASANT VIEW 39.71N 105.19W
04/22/2022 M45 MPH JEFFERSON CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO008 I-70 AT C470.
0103 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 N MEAD 40.27N 104.98W
04/22/2022 M45 MPH WELD CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO165 I-25 BERTHOUD HILL.
0115 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 6 W ELBERT 39.22N 104.65W
04/22/2022 M45 MPH ELBERT CO AWOS
AWOS STATION KMNH MONUMENT ELBERT.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
10 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Peak wind gusts included 64 mph, 9 miles south of Manila Village, and 58 mph near Strasburg.
A peak winds included: 86 mph, 6 miles northeast of Otis; 71 mph at Colorado Plains Regional Airport in Akron, and 58 mph, 3 miles east of Union.
A peak wind gust to 69 mph was measured near Julesburg.
Peak wind gusts included 74 mph at Buckley AFB, with 59 mph at Centennial Airport and Denver International Airport.
Peak wind gusts included 71 mph near Marshall, and 59 mph, 4 miles east-southeast of Erie.
A peak wind gust to 58 mph was measured near Wiggins.
Peak wind gusts included: 68 mph at Limon Municipal Airport, 65 mph in Hugo, 62 mph near Cedar Point, and 59 mph, 7 miles south-southwest of Hugo.
Peak wind gusts included 63 mph, 8 miles south of Holyoke, and 60 mph in Holyoke.
A peak wind gust to 90 mph was measured at the junction of highways 93 and 72.
A peak wind gust to 71 mph was measured near Sterling, with a gust to 69 mph, 5 miles north of Pawnee Pass.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, April 2022
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: 1020283, 1020290, 1020292, 1020282, 1020296, 1020286, 1020285, 1020293, 1020281, 1020287.