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Record 154 MPH Wind Found Screaming High Over Western Colorado

By Chris Spears

DENVER (CBS4) - An unusual weather record was set high in the sky early Friday.

weather-balloon
The National Weather Service launches weather balloons from Boulder daily to help forecast weather across the country. (credit: CBS)

A weather balloon released from Grand Junction measured a 134 knot (154 mph wind) wind at nearly 30,000 feet, establishing a new record for jet stream level winds at this height in the month of November over western Colorado.

Wind records for the upper atmosphere have been kept since Jan. 1, 1948.

RESOURCE: Click here for a calculator to convert wind speed

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(credit: NWS Grand Junction)
Capture
(credit: NWS Grand Junction)

The powerful jet stream was associated with a trough of low pressure over the northwestern United States and was responsible for bringing wind and snow to Colorado's high country.

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(credit: CBS)

Meteorologist Chris Spears travels weekly in the CBS4 Mobile Weather Lab reporting about Colorado's weather and climate. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.

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