High Wind Warning Issued for Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Surrounding Regions in Colorado

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Pueblo, CO, has issued a High Wind Warning for several regions in Southern Colorado. This alert (NWS code: HWW) indicates that damaging winds are expected, posing a threat to property and travel safety.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a wide range of elevations and regions, including:

• Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains: Both between 8,500 and 11,000 feet and above 11,000 feet.
• Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains: Both between 7,500 and 11,000 feet and above 11,000 feet.
• Wet Mountains and Wet Mountain Valley: Including areas below 8,500 feet, between 6,300 and 10,000 feet, and above 10,000 feet.
• Fremont County: Western and Central portions below 8,500 feet.
• Huerfano River Basin: Walsenburg vicinity and the Upper Huerfano River Basin below 7,500 feet.

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for two distinct periods of high-velocity winds:

• First Warning Period: West winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts reaching up to 85 mph.
• Second Warning Period: Southwest winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts reaching up to 75 mph.
• Visibility: Areas of blowing dust may reduce visibility to under one mile at times.

Timeline

• First Warning: Remains in effect until 6:00 PM MST this evening, February 17.
• Second Warning: Effective from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST on Wednesday, February 18.

What You Should Do

The NWS recommends that residents remain in the lower levels of their homes during the windstorm and avoid windows to prevent injury from breaking glass. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs.

Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile and lightweight vehicles. If you must drive, use extreme caution. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, which may lead to power outages in the affected areas.