Based on a study of the thermophysical properties, we derived a practical formula for the normal zone propagation velocity appropriate for REBa2Cu3O7-x coated conductors in high magnetic fields. An analytical expression to evaluate the current sharing temperature as a function of the operating conditions is also proposed. The presented study has allowed us to account for experimental results not fully understood in the framework of the models widely used in the literature. In particular, we provided a fundamental understanding of the experimental evidence that the normal zone propagation velocity in REBa2Cu3O7-x coated conductors can be mainly determined by the operating current, regardless of the applied field and temperature.