Low humidity and wind gusts out of the mountains that could reach 75 mph Monday have triggered wind and fire warnings and flight delays at Denver International Airport.
Steady westerly winds of 35 to 50 mph are forecast for Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. The high temperature is expected to reach 44 degrees.
Several power poles snapped near Cherry Creek Mall (155 S Madison St). Some power outages in the area.
— Jayson Luber (@Denver7Traffic)
A red flag warning will be in place between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., according to the NWS. A fire weather watch has been posted for Tuesday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. The high wind warning will be in effect until 8 p.m.
“We are experiencing high winds at Denver International Airport,” said Daria Serna, DIA spokeswoman. “There are flight delays.”
Serna urged anyone with a planned flight to first check airline schedules before going to the airport.
In some locations blowing dust will cause poor visibility, the weather service says.
“Motorists should use extreme caution while driving in crosswinds and lowered visibility,” a NWS bulletin says.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the mountains today. Between 3 to 5 inches of snow could fall and wind gusts up to 70 mph are expected. In the foothills, a trace to one inch of snow is possible.
Difficult driving conditions will persist thru tonight across the entire CO high country. Snow combined w/ west wind Gusts to 75 mph.
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder)
High winds and snow have closed roads and schools in the mountains.
upd- EB I-70 now closed @ MM 176 b/c multiple slide-offs
— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT)
It will be sunny and windy on Tuesday, with gusts up to 41 mph, the NWS says. The high temperature will be around 51.
Warmer temperatures are expected for the remainder of the week with highs in the mid 60s to 70 degrees through Sunday.
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