The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for northeast and north central Colorado for Thursday afternoon through Friday. The NWS reported that a “strong and quick-moving storm system” will pass through the Denver and Boulder areas on Friday, with wind speeds predicted to elevate on Thursday afternoon.
Gusty winds across the eastern-Colorado plains will lead to “critical fire weather conditions” on Thursday afternoon, according to NWS, mainly “along and east of a line from Kiowa to
Akron to Sedgwick.” “Elevated fire weather conditions” are forecasted for the Front Range, where winds are predicted to be lighter. On Thursday evening, snow is predicted in the mountains.
Chris Bianchi, a meteorologist for 9News, posted on X that people headed for the mountains this weekend should leave tonight as opposed to tomorrow morning. “Avoid the mountains (if you can): Tomorrow morning. Snow + WIND = rough ride, esp Vail Pass/tunnels,” he said.
NWS said that winds are predicted to blow up to 60 miles per hour tomorrow across the plains. The weather system is also predicted to bring accumulating snow and will lead to poor travel conditions across the mountains and Palmer Divide.
Weld and Morgan Counties are both included in a High Wind Watch tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to a post by NWS Boulder. Northwest winds of 35 to 45 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 miles per hour will be possible in those counties and from the Wyoming border to Lincoln County.
“Above normal temperatures and dry conditions will bring increased fire weather conditions for Sunday and Monday,” NWS reported. “There is potential for another impactful system to enter Colorado by mid-week next week.”
