Strong winds are whipping up dust, creating dangerous driving conditions and impacting air quality across eastern and southern Colorado, prompting major highway closures and public health alerts, state officials said Friday.
The National Weather Service’s Pueblo office reported near the border between Colorado and Kansas as of 1:19 p.m. Colorado State Patrol also warned of across the southeastern plains.
between Limon and Kit Carson as of 1:40 p.m., along with segments of U.S. 287 between Kit Carson and the Oklahoma border, U.S. 385 between Cheyenne Wells and Granada, and U.S. 50 and Colorado 96 west of Kansas.
CDOT warns drivers should use caution across the eastern and southern parts of the state, including along Interstate 70 in Adams and Arapahoe counties, particularly drivers of high-profile vehicles.
State health officials issued an air quality advisory for blowing dust in southeastern Colorado just after noon, warning people with preexisting health conditions, older adults and children to “reduce prolonged or heavy indoor and outdoor exertion” if blowing dust reduces visibility by less than 10 miles.
The air quality advisory applies to Crowley, Lincoln, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, Otero, Las Animas and Baca counties, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Dusty conditions should gradually decrease Friday night.
