Gusty west to northwest winds developed in and near the foothills on the morning of December 30th. These winds spread eastward and continued into the afternoon hours across the eastern plains.
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.
Gusty west to northwest winds developed in and near the foothills on the morning of December 30th. These winds spread eastward and continued into the afternoon hours across the eastern plains. There were a few wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph along and near the foothills. Most locations across the plains did not reach high wind criteria, but wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph were common across the plains.
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 Dec 30, 4:32 AM MST, 4 hours 23 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 432 AM MST Mon Dec 30 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Heaviest mountain snow and most severe travel impacts end this morning, but showers and areas of blowing snow continue through the day. - Strong winds will develop this morning with potential for isolated power outages, blowing dust, and rapid wildfire spread. Some potential (40%) for brief Front Range mountain wave amplification in the morning, otherwise a widespread marginal high wind event is expected. - Weather pattern settles down somewhat by Tuesday, but we'll see additional rounds of mountain snow this week. Just light snow showers Tuesday, but potentially more significant snow and blowing snow again Wednesday night - Thursday, and then again toward Saturday. Chance of snow for the plains increasing a little for this weekend. - Colder temperatures start today, remain in place through the start of 2025 (Wednesday). Then tempered warming in the latter half of the week. Another cold shot possible by this weekend. && .SHORT TERM /Through Tonight/... Issued at 207 AM MST Mon Dec 30 2024 Brisk WNW flow aloft will be in place today. Orographic snow will continue in the mtns with lapse rates in the 7-8 c/km range thru the aftn. In addition, position of upper level jet may lead to some locally enhanced banding of snowfall. As for winds, although there is decent subsidence over the area thru the aftn, cross-sections don't show a mtn wave developing. In addition, cross-barrier flow is only around 40 kts. Thus may not see widespread high winds in the foothills with only localized higher gusts in the normal windy places. Across the plains, winds at 800 mb are in mainly in the 40-45 kt range thru the aftn. With decent mixing expected, should see gusts in the 50-55 mph range with a few localized gusts up to 60 mph possible. In addition, will see some areas of blowing dust as well since very little precip has fallen the last several days. As for highs, readings will be cooler over the plains with readings in the 45-50 degree range. For tonight, WNW flow aloft will continue with decreasing moisture in the mtns along with increasing stability. As a result, this will lead to a decrease in orographics and snowfall coverage. Across the plains, a cold front will move across this evening. Although most areas will be dry, can't rule out a few rain/snow showers over the far northeast plains this evening. As for winds, they should gradually decrease by early evening as the low level flow weakens over the area. && .LONG TERM /Tuesday through Sunday/... Issued at 230 AM MST Mon Dec 30 2024 Tuesday will start off dry, but should end with scattered light snow showers in the mountains, and possibly a few flurries spilling onto the plains by evening. That will be due to a weak short wave arriving in northwest flow aloft. However, the airmass as a whole is quite dry and moisture starved in the low levels, so even snow in the mountains will be light with an inch or less accumulation. For New Year's eve, anyone planning outdoor activities should be prepared for cold temperatures as readings drop into the upper teens and lower 20s by midnight (single digits in the mountains), with overnight lows being 5-10 degrees colder than that. To start 2025, Wednesday will see just a little moderation, but still slightly below normal temperatures. Dry conditions will prevail, until the next weather maker arrives in northwest flow aloft. The bulk of those impacts will stay confined to the mountains once again with orographics and Pacific moisture combining to produce a round of light to moderate snowfall Wednesday night - Thursday. Winds will pick up with some blowing snow over the higher passes, while the increase in cross barrier flow also means gusty winds in/near the foothills. Temperatures should moderate just a bit more through Thursday with highs near normal. There is good agreement in the ensembles that flat ridging occurs late Thursday through Friday, resulting in dry conditions. However, there is more uncertainty here with regard to the potential warmup, which hinges on amount of downslope flow and cold air erosion across the plains. For now, enough ridging is expected for Friday to support the warmest day of the week ahead. Even more uncertainty enters the temperature picture by Saturday, as models have trended colder with a backdoor arctic airmass pushing across the plains. Thus, we've pushed temperatures downward a few degrees for this forecast period and below national guidance. At the same time, the next upper level trough arrives providing for an increased chance of snow. While nothing heavy is noted in the ensembles, there has been a trend for increasing chances of a light snowfall for the lower elevations. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS through 12Z Tuesday/... Issued at 425 AM MST Mon Dec 30 2024 Winds have become more westerly early this morning with some gusts up to 30 mph at times. Have mentioned wind shear at all sites thru 14z. By 14z winds will become WNW with gusts up to 45mph except at BJC which may reach 60 mph. By 19z winds will become NW with gusts up to 45 mph thru 00Z. After 00Z winds will decrease with speeds in the 10-15 mph range up to 25 mph. After 02z winds will become north and then transition to northeast by 05z. Overnight winds will become southeast by 08z. Finally have maintained VFR conditions thru the period. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 207 AM MST Mon Dec 30 2024 Red Flag Warning remains in effect for today with no change to coverage area. Humidity criteria will not be met, but with gusts from 50 to 60 mph expected and minimum humidities around 20 percent over the western part of the plains, the threat of rapid fire growth is still substantial. In the northeast corner humidities will be higher, but winds will be just as strong. Winds will decrease by early this evening along with an increase in humidity levels. As a result, this will lessen fire conditions after 5 pm. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until 5 PM MST this afternoon for COZ031. Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon for COZ033- 034. High Wind Warning until 1 PM MST this afternoon for COZ035-036. Red Flag Warning until 5 PM MST this afternoon for COZ216- 238>241-243-245>247. High Wind Warning until 2 PM MST this afternoon for COZ038>041. High Wind Warning until 5 PM MST this afternoon for COZ042>051. && SHORT TERM...RPK LONG TERM...Barjenbruch AVIATION...RPK FIRE WEATHER...RPK
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 304 AM MST Mon Dec 30 2024 COZ030>051-311015- 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- 304 AM MST Mon Dec 30 2024 ...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW FOR THE MOUNTAINS...STRONG, GUSTY WINDS ALL AREAS WITH INCREASED FIRE DANGER, LOCAL BLOWING DUST, AND ISOLATED POWER OUTAGES POSSIBLE... This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Snow and blowing snow in the northern Colorado mountains will continue through at least mid day, with continued difficult travel conditions expected. Conditions are expected to gradually improve this afternoon and evening. Strong and gusty winds will also occur across area. Wind gusts to 60 mph will be possible across the plains with potential for higher speeds in the foothills. With dry soils in place from lack of precipitation across the eastern plains, areas of blowing dust are expected that could impact travel, mainly from I-25 eastward. Critical fire weather is expected to develop which could lead to rapid fire spread if one were to ignite. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Colder temperatures but lighter winds will settle in for Tuesday and Wednesday, before a gradual warmup occurs later next week. Scattered light snow showers will occur in the mountains Tuesday, with a few flurries attempting to spill onto the plains by evening. More impactful snow and blowing snow will likely develop in the mountains by late Wednesday and continue into Thursday, when a few inches will be possible. The plains will remain dry. A better chance of snow may develop by this weekend, but for the most part any accumulations are expected to be on the light side. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Snowfall reports from mountain spotters, and high wind reports from our foothill and plains spotters will be appreciated.
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Denver CO
547 AM MST Mon Dec 30 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0340 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WSW Brainard Lake 40.06N 105.62W
12/30/2024 M80 MPH Boulder CO Mesonet
Niwot Ridge D1.
0315 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Winter Park 39.85N 105.78W
12/30/2024 M75 MPH Grand CO Mesonet
Mesonet station DDWPE Wp Eagle Wind.
0546 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 E Copper Mountain 39.49N 106.11W
12/30/2024 M75 MPH Summit CO Mesonet
CAIC station atop Breckenridge Peak 6.
0246 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 11 NNE Kremmling 40.21N 106.33W
12/30/2024 M62 MPH Grand CO Mesonet
Mesonet station GSPC2 Gunsight.
1210 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Marshall 39.97N 105.19W
12/30/2024 M59 MPH Boulder CO Mesonet
Mesonet station CO167 Louisville US 36
Overlook.
0328 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SE Tolland 39.87N 105.55W
12/30/2024 M59 MPH Gilpin CO AWOS
AWOS station KC99 Dakota Hill.
1008 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SW Rocky Flats 39.87N 105.24W
12/29/2024 M58 MPH Jefferson CO Mesonet
Mesonet station CO109 Rocky Flats Hwy 93 and
72.
1115 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ENE Berthoud Pass 39.80N 105.77W
12/29/2024 M58 MPH Grand CO AWOS
AWOS station K0CO Berthoud Pass.
0750 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Crisman 40.05N 105.35W
12/29/2024 M56 MPH Boulder CO Mesonet
Mesonet station EW4338 1 NE Crisman.
1143 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WSW Lafayette 39.99N 105.11W
12/29/2024 M55 MPH Boulder CO Mesonet
Mesonet station AV313 Lafayette.
0749 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Greenland 39.21N 104.86W
12/29/2024 M54 MPH Douglas CO Mesonet
Mesonet station CO192 Greenland 1 NW.
0135 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 ESE Buckeye 40.81N 105.04W
12/30/2024 M54 MPH Larimer CO Mesonet
Mesonet station BEYC2 Buckeye.
0749 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Greenland 39.18N 104.85W
12/29/2024 M53 MPH Douglas CO Mesonet
Mesonet station CO193 Greenland.
1010 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NNW White Ranch Open 39.87N 105.32W
12/29/2024 M53 MPH Jefferson CO Mesonet
Mesonet station 1925W Coal Creek Canyon.
0458 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 SSW Grover 40.76N 104.28W
12/30/2024 M53 MPH Weld CO Mesonet
Mesonet station CW5040 Briggsdale.
1035 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Copper Mountain 39.48N 106.15W
12/29/2024 M52 MPH Summit CO AWOS
AWOS station KCCU Red Cliff Pass.
0445 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WNW Loveland 40.43N 105.12W
12/30/2024 M52 MPH Larimer CO Mesonet
Mesonet station DW5856 Loveland.
0304 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SW Carr 40.84N 104.97W
12/30/2024 M51 MPH Larimer CO Mesonet
Mesonet station CO166 I-25 and Buckeye Rd.
0338 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 NNW Nunn 40.77N 104.81W
12/30/2024 M51 MPH Weld CO Mesonet
Mesonet station UP718 4.9 N Nunn (UPR).
0422 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ESE Kassler 39.48N 105.08W
12/30/2024 M51 MPH Douglas CO Mesonet
Mesonet station FW0417 Littleton.
0354 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSW Rocky Flats 39.84N 105.22W
12/30/2024 M50 MPH Jefferson CO Mesonet
Mesonet station TT867 Arvada.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 strong wind, 5 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Wind gusts of 45-55 were common across the area with the strongest gust reaching 57 mph near Sedalia.
Wind gusts of 45-55 were reported in the area. The strongest wind gust reached 57 mph, at station south of Holyoke.
Wind gusts reaching 50-60 mph were common throughout the area. The strongest gust was 67 mph, near Cedar Point.
Wind gusts reach 45-55 mph across the area. The strongest wind gust reach 54 mph near Bennett.
Wind gusts of 45-55 mph occurred across the area. The strongest wind gust recorded was 57 mph near Briggsdale.
Wind gusts of 50-60 mph were common between 10:00 and noon. The strongest gust of 58 mph at KBJC Broomfield Rocky Mtn Metro Airport.
Wind gusts of 75 to 80 mph occurred at 3 different stations near Rocky Flats around 10:30.
Here are a couple of the stronger wind gusts recorded. At 5 NNW of Nunn a gust reached 73 mph, and at the Buckeye RAWS a wind gusts of reached 62 mph.
Wind gusts of 45-60 mph were observed. The strongest wind gust of 60 mph was recorded along I-76 near Sterling.
Wind gusts reached 50-55 mph. The strongest wind gust recorded was 57 mph near Boyero.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, December 2024
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: 1224663, 1224681, 1224675, 1224674, 1224669, 1224655, 1224651, 1224654, 1224677, 1224676.