High Wind Warning Issued for El Paso and Teller Counties; Gusts Up to 75 MPH Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Pueblo, CO, has issued a High Wind Warning for portions of central Colorado. The warning is in effect from 8:00 PM MST this evening through 8:00 AM MST Thursday, February 19.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic range including:

• Teller County and the Rampart Range: Areas above 7,500 feet and Pikes Peak (between 7,500 and 11,000 feet, as well as above 11,000 feet).
• El Paso County: Including Northern El Paso County, Monument Ridge, the Rampart Range below 7,500 feet, and the Colorado Springs vicinity/Southern El Paso County.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are advised to take the following precautions:

• Seek Shelter: Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm and stay away from windows.
• Watch for Hazards: Be alert for falling debris and tree limbs.
• Travel Safety: Use extreme caution if you must drive. Travel will be difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles.

Expected Conditions

• Wind Speeds: Sustained west winds of 30 to 40 mph.
• Wind Gusts: Potential for damaging gusts up to 75 mph. The highest gusts are anticipated along east-facing slopes and areas west of Interstate 25.
• Impacts: Damaging winds are likely to blow down trees and power lines, which may lead to power outages.

Timeline

• Effective Period: 8:00 PM MST Wednesday to 8:00 AM MST Thursday.
• Peak Intensity: The most likely timeframe for damaging gusts is expected between 11:00 PM tonight and 6:00 AM Thursday.