Blowing Dust and High Wind Warning Issued for Southeast Colorado Through Tuesday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Blowing Dust Warning and a High Wind Warning for portions of southeast Colorado. These alerts indicate a high probability of hazardous conditions that could impact public safety and travel.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• Kiowa County: Western and Eastern Kiowa County
• Bent County: Las Animas Vicinity
• Prowers County: Lamar Vicinity
• Baca County: Springfield Vicinity

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:

• Travelers: If you encounter blowing dust on the roadway, pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn all lights off and keep your foot off the brake pedal to avoid being hit by other drivers. Remember the slogan: “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.”
• At Home: Remain in the lower levels of your home and stay away from windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs.
• Health Precautions: Individuals with respiratory problems should make preparations to stay indoors until the storm passes.
• General Safety: Avoid travel through the area if possible, as conditions may become life-threatening.

Expected Conditions

Forecasters expect west winds ranging from 30 to 40 mph, with powerful gusts reaching up to 65 mph. These winds will cause widespread blowing dust, which may reduce visibility to below 1/4 mile at times. Such conditions are expected to make travel difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles, and could result in downed trees and power lines, leading to potential power outages.

Timeline

The Blowing Dust Warning and High Wind Warning are effective immediately and are scheduled to expire at 6:00 PM MST this evening, February 17.