High Wind Warning Issued for Pueblo, Fremont, and Las Animas Counties Through Wednesday
Weather Alerts high NOAA · · Southern Colorado
The National Weather Service has issued High Wind Warnings for Southern Colorado, with gusts up to 65 mph and blowing dust expected through Wednesday evening.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Pueblo has issued a High Wind Warning for portions of Southern Colorado. The alert (NWS code: HWW) signifies a high probability of damaging wind gusts that could impact infrastructure and travel safety.
Affected Areas
The warning applies to the following specific geographic regions:
- Eastern Fremont County: Including the Canon City vicinity.
- Pueblo County: Specifically the Pueblo vicinity below 6,300 feet.
- Western Las Animas County: Specifically the Trinidad vicinity below 7,500 feet.
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas are urged to take the following precautions:
- Seek Shelter: Remain in the lower levels of your home during the peak of the windstorm and stay away from windows.
- Watch for Hazards: Be alert for falling debris, tree limbs, and downed power lines.
- Travel Safety: Use extreme caution if you must drive. High-profile and light-weight vehicles will face difficult travel conditions.
- Visibility: Be prepared for sudden drops in visibility to under one mile due to blowing dust.
Expected Conditions
Two separate waves of high winds are anticipated:
- Primary Hazard: West winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts reaching up to 65 mph are expected during the first warning period.
- Secondary Hazard: Southwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected during the second warning period.
- Impacts: Damaging winds are likely to blow down trees and power lines, which may result in power outages across the region.
Timeline
- First Warning: Remains in effect until 6:00 PM MST this evening, February 17.
- Second Warning: Effective from 6:00 AM MST to 7:00 PM MST on Wednesday, February 18.
Source: NOAA Official Notice