High-Impact Weather and Climate Events

The worst year of a multi-year drought (2000-2002 for eastern Colorado, and 2000-2004 for western Colorado). One of the driest water years on record in all parts of the state, with very low snowpacks, extremely low runoff, many large wildfires, and severe agricultural impacts. The statewide summer Palmer Drought Index was -8.7, the lowest on record.

An F2 tornado touched down one mile south-southwest of Manti. The tornado moved northeast through Manti, causing significant damage to residential and commercial areas. The storm threw a 40-foot semi trailer loaded with insulation approximately 40 ft. In a residential area, it threw a 26-foot camp trailer between 150 and 200 ft. Winds reached 157 mph, and the path was 2.75 miles long and 800 feet wide. The tornado was on the ground for 15 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Hail from 1" up to 2.75" in diameter fell over mainly the central and western parts of the city of Cheyenne. Significant damage was reported to automobiles and roofs.

A stationary thunderstorm brought flash flooding and an estimated 3" of rain to Kaycee. The flooding, with depths up to 4', did damage to 19 trailers and 22 houses, and 12 businesses. There were Doppler radar rainfall estimates of 7" to 7.5" along Murphy Creek in southern Johnson County. Also, rain gage measurements in excess of 4" were reported in this area. Most of the rain fell between midnight and 4 a.m. A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Riverton office determined that Murphy Creek was at one point 300 yards wide and 20' deep near Lone Bear Road.

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

"The Missionary Ridge Fire began on June 9, 2002, northeast of Durango in southwest Colorado. It burned until July 15, destroying forty-six houses and cabins and charring 73,000 acres of La Plata County forest. One firefighter died while fighting the blaze, which became the seventh-largest wildfire in Colorado history.

The Missionary Ridge Fire was not as destructive as some other fires in 2002, as property losses totaled just over $24 million. It did cost some $37 million to fight, and the Forest Service was estimated to have lost more than $27.8 million in assets, such as recreational areas that were damaged or destroyed." - Colorado Encyclopedia

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 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.

The worst year of what was by some measures a 9-year drought (2000-2008). The statewide summer Palmer Drought Index was -8.7, the lowest on record.

Reactivation of the prehistoric Heather Drive landslide forced several homeowners to evacuate. Three houses were moved off the slide path and three were demolished. According to the Utah Geological Survey, "Landslide reactivation was characterized by a gradual reactivation, followed by relatively rapid movement and an abrupt stop."