High-Impact Weather and Climate Events

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.

A cold winter storm produced snow across all of Utah, ranging from 0.5" at Lake Powell to 33" in mountainous areas. More than 40 stations established or tied record daily minimum temperatures. Seven people were killed in a weather-related accident involving a Greyhound bus.

After six years of drought, the Virgin River basin experienced heavy rain in October 2004, resulting in minor flooding and saturating the soil heading into the winter. During January 8th - 12th a Pacific storm system produced between 0.7" and 7.7" of rain on soil that was highly saturated, resulting in significant flooding. Damages included 30 homes destroyed and 20 more significantly damaged.

"In 2005, 12 inches of precipitation fell in a 48-hour period over southwest Utah. Record flows of over 6,000 cubic feet per second on the Santa Clara River destroyed over 28 homes adjacent to the river. Homes along the river had been built on river sediments deposited from earlier flooding. When this storm occurred, the sediments that the homes had been built on quickly eroded. The Upper Still Reservoir was also damaged by the flood and had to be drained for repairs to take place. Early estimates from Washington County placed the total damage of the devastating floods that occurred during the second week of January 2005 at roughly $150 to $180 million, with another $100 million possibly needed for river reclamation efforts. The raging waters of the Santa Clara River, and to a lesser extent the Virgin River, reached flows not seen in this part of the country since floods carried away several settlements and settlers during the winter of 1862." - National Weather Service

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.

"A powerful tornado swept north-northwestward across Weld County and into Larimer County, carving a path of destruction, nearly 39 miles in length. The tornado, up to one-mile wide at times, initially touched down northeast of Platteville and finally lifted 6 miles west-northwest of Wellington. A tornado assessment in the aftermath of the tornado revealed extensive areas of damage. On the enhanced Fujita Scale there were pockets of EF3 damage, mainly near the Missile Silo Park Campground, and to businesses and homes in eastern Windsor. 
There was one fatality, and 78 injuries. One man was killed when he tried to escape the trailer park in his motor home. Preliminary estimates from FEMA indicated 850 homes were damaged, and nearly 300 homes were significantly damaged or destroyed. Privately insured damages totaled $147 million, and the Poudre Valley Rural Electric Associated reported $1 million of damage to electric transmission lines." - NWS

The flooding of 1984 was very similar to the flooding in 1983. On April 1st, the Wasatch had above-average snowpack and the sudden onset of warm temperatures produced floods. The lower monetary damages compared to 1983 have been partially attributed to flood mitigation measures taken after 1983. Above-average precipitation since 1982 brought Great Salt Lake levels to a 101-year record high.

Heavy snow fell almost continuously for 6 days. Salt Lake City airport recorded 23.3". This is the largest single snowstorm in Salt Lake City history.

The Hayman Fire burned 138,000 acres and over 200 residences, making it the largest wildfire in Colorado history at the time, but it has been superseded by the Cameron Peak, East Troublesome, and Pine Gulch Fires of 2020. It ignited and spread during severe drought conditions, abetted by several periods of high winds.

The Hensel Fire was ignited by lightning near Laramie Peak. The fire burned 4 homes and 3 outbuildings and 14,380 acres.

The worst year of a statewide drought from 2000-2004. One of the worst droughts on record in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Low precipitation combined with above-average temperatures reduced available water. The statewide summer Palmer Drought Index was -6.1, the 2nd lowest on record. Dryland farmers reported low yields and a state of agricultural disaster was declared for drought and then grasshopper and Mormon cricket infestations. Costs are from 2002 and 2003 combined.