Damaging winds, extreme fire danger, blowing dust, and possible utility disruptions are expected across Northern Colorado through Friday.
A powerful weather system is impacting Northern Colorado, prompting multiple High Wind Warnings, Red Flag Warnings, and Hazardous Weather Outlooks from the National Weather Service. The combination of strong winds, very low humidity, dry fuels, and areas of blowing dust is creating dangerous conditions for travel, wildfire potential, and power reliability from Thursday evening through at least Friday evening.
High winds threaten travel and infrastructure
Across Larimer County below 6,000 feet, much of Weld County, Morgan County, and surrounding areas, northwest winds of 30–45 mph with gusts of 60-75 mph are expected. Winds increase Thursday evening, briefly ease overnight, then strengthen again early Friday before gradually diminishing later in the day.
The strongest impacts are expected along open highways and exposed corridors, where high-profile vehicles such as semis, RVs, campers, and trailers may encounter hazardous crosswinds. Gusts may also dislodge loose debris and strain infrastructure, resulting in isolated or scattered power outages.
Extreme fire danger under Red Flag Warnings
Red Flag Warnings are in effect Friday for Larimer and Boulder counties, the I-25 corridor, and much of the eastern plains. Forecast conditions include sustained northwest winds of 35–45 mph, gusts up to 70–75 mph, and relative humidity of 13–20 percent…