High Wind Warning Issued for El Paso County and Colorado Springs; Gusts Up to 60 MPH Expected
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for El Paso County, including Colorado Springs, with damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph expected through Tuesday afternoon.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a High Wind Warning for portions of El Paso County. The alert is classified as a severe meteorological event with a high level of certainty.
Affected Areas
The warning impacts the following regions in Colorado:
- Northern El Paso County: Including Monument Ridge and the Rampart Range below 7,500 feet.
- Southern El Paso County: Including the Colorado Springs vicinity and the Rampart Range below 7,400 feet.
What You Should Do
Residents in the warning area are advised to take the following safety measures:
- Stay Indoors: Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm and stay away from windows.
- Monitor Hazards: Watch for falling debris and tree limbs that may be downed by the wind.
- Travel with Caution: Use extreme caution if you must drive. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles which are at higher risk in high-wind conditions.
- Prepare for Outages: Be aware that power outages are expected due to potential damage to utility lines.
Expected Conditions
Forecasters expect southwest winds ranging from 30 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching up to 60 mph. These damaging winds are capable of blowing down trees and power lines. According to the National Weather Service, the strongest winds are expected to occur late tonight into early Tuesday morning, particularly in areas near the mountains.
Timeline
- Warning Starts: Monday, February 16, at 11:00 PM MST.
- Peak Conditions: Late Monday night through early Tuesday morning.
- Warning Expires: Tuesday, February 17, at 2:00 PM MST.
Source: NOAA Official Notice