High-Impact Weather and Climate Events

The Clay Springs Fire was human-ignited and burned 107,846 acres. The fire forced the evacuation of nearly 1,000 people and damages included one cabin, minor damage to several residences, 3 city storage structures, and dozens of power poles damaged. Two firefighters were injured by the blaze. Surpression costs and property damages were estimated at $6.6 million.

The Waldo Canyon Fire burned during severe to extreme drought conditions; strong outflow winds from a thunderstorm on June 26 pushed the fire into the western portion of Colorado Springs, where most of the 346 homes destroyed in the fire were lost. Two residents were killed. Over 18,000 acres burned. The fourth most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, in terms of homes destroyed, behind the Cameron Peak Fire in 2020 (#3), Black Forest Fire in 2013 (#2), and the Marshall Fire in 2021 (#1).

The Wood Hollow fire was ignited when winds blew power lines together, sparking grass below (ground wires were removed by copper thieves). One person died in the fire and two fire fighters were injured. The fire burned 47,387 acres, destroyed 52 residential buildings, 108 non-residential buildings, damaged power and water infrastructure, and killed livestock including 300 sheep, and 15 horses. Suppression costs were estimated at $5.8 million.

The High Park fire was ignited by lightning after a very dry winter and spring, and burned over 87,000 acres and at least 259 homes.

Part of NCDC's billion-dollar disaster list. In total, the estimated damage the severe storms and hail caused in CO is over $1B.

"Unusual overnight severe weather hit the metro area Wednesday into Thursday, bringing lightning, thunder, heavy rain, hail and flooding to much of the region. Despite several Tornado Warnings, there were no confirmed tornado touchdowns with the round of late night storms. Hail hit the southern and western parts of metro Denver especially hard. Several inches were on the ground Thursday in places such as Castle Rock, Parker and Highlands Ranch." - FOX31

Heat Wave/Drought. "Many record high temperatures were also set during the summer months, especially June, where June of 2012 was the hottest June in Denver since weather records began back in 1872. Many areas in western Colorado also saw record high temperatures including several 100 degree days. This record breaking and triple digit heat was felt statewide. Denver had a total of seventeen 90 degree days and a stretch of five consecutive 100 degree days during the month of June, compared to eighteen 90 degree days and six 100 degree days in Grand Junction during the same month. To put it in perspective, the normal high temperature in Denver during the month of June is 82 degrees on average, making high temperatures in June 2012 some 10 to 20 degrees above normal. On the other side of the divide, the normal high temperature in Grand Junction during the month of June is 88 degrees on average, making high temperatures in June 2012 some 8 to 12 degrees above normal which is still very hot for this time of year." - NWS

In May 2012, a pocket of extreme drought develops in northwest CO. This pocket expands over most of CO and eastern UT through the summer of that year. In July, exceptional drought conditions develop in southeast CO (and this exceptional and extreme drought in this region only resolves in August of 2014). In July 2012, pockets of extreme drought start to develop in WY, with exceptional drought developing in the eastern part of the state in September 2012. In January 2013, extreme drought ends in UT. In October 2013, the last portions of extreme drought in WY disappear.

The driest calendar year on record for Wyoming, with 69% of normal precipitation. Spring and summer were especially dry, at 55% of normal. Livestock producers were heavily impacted.

A downslope windstorm along the Wasatch Front with winds of 60-80 mph. The peak gust of 102 mph recorded in Centerville. The majority of damage occured between North Salt Lake and South Ogden. Winds caused $4 million in infrastructure damage, almost entirely in Davis County, destroying hundreds of trees, powerlines, street signs and light poles. Private insured losses in Davis County alone were estimated at $64 million, mostly damage to glass, roofs, and fences. Additionally, 11 semi-trailers were knocked over on I-15. Damages resulted from wind directly and also from flying debris.

The most costly hailstorm in Wyoming history. Hail up to 2" in diameter covered most of Cheyenne, with accompanying rain totalling 1.46" of precipitation. Widespread damage to buildings and cars.