Colorado forecast calls for brutal wind gusts: What to know for state, Fort Collins
If you like really strong wind — and who doesn't (kidding) — you will love Friday through the weekend.
How windy will it get? Enough so that the Saturday concert at Red Rocks was postponed due to forecast strong winds.
Also, Xcel Energy announced it will temporarily de-energize powerlines if extremely high winds create elevated wildfire risk from those lines, especially in Boulder, Gilpin and Jefferson counties, where the highest wind gusts are expected.
Fort Collins is forecast to see 70 to 75 mph gusts Saturday.
Spring is typically windy in Colorado, but the next few days, especially Saturday, will be particularly windy not only in sustained wind speed but in gusts that could reach 100 mph in the foothills.
Here is a look at the fire danger and wind warnings associated with this system whose strong winds are due to an approaching cold front followed by chinook winds:
Red flag warning through the weekend for Fort Collins, foothills
When: Noon Saturday, April 6 through 6 p.m. Sunday, April 7.
Where: For much of the foothills from the Wyoming state line to south of Denver and east into northern Weld County.
Conditions: 60 to 90 mph wind gusts with 20% to 28% humidity
Fire risk: Rapid spread of fire possible once started. Avoid starting a fire or any activities that could produce a fire.
🕵️👀Interested in the arrival time of high winds at your specific location?
Check out this animation of expected wind progression from midnight tonight - 6 am Sunday. #COwx pic.twitter.com/RhoQAbA110— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) April 5, 2024
Hold on to your hats, because Saturday will be brutally windy
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for the foothills from the Wyoming state line to south of Colorado Springs and east to the Kansas state line. This will likely be upgraded to a high wind warning Friday or Saturday.
When: Starting early Saturday morning and lasting into Saturday night, then gradual subsiding wind Sunday.
Potential impacts: Scattered power outages; property damage to fences, shingles and trees; hazardous travel conditions due to blowing dust, very high fire danger.
Wind gusts: Some weather models are forecasting at the high end 60 mph gusts in the Denver metro area, 75 mph on the northeast plains, 75 to 80 mph in the Boulder area, 90 mph around Denver International Airport and 100-plus mph in the foothills.
⚠️ Extreme Winds Expected ⚠️
Today through Sunday will be exceptionally windy. The strongest gusts will come tonight as speeds may reach 100 mph in the foothills, mountains, and adjacent plains. Preemptive power outages are possible to reduce fire danger. Get prepared! #COwx pic.twitter.com/2AvzzO67Q6— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) April 6, 2024
How windy will it get in Fort Collins?
Here is the National Weather Service forecast:
Friday, April 5: South-southeast wind, 17 to 22 mph, gusting to 36 mph, with blowing dust after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76 degrees. Low around 38.
Saturday, April 6: West-northwest wind, 14 to 24 mph, increasing to 37 to 47 mph and gusting to as high as 70 mph. 70% chance of rain/snow showers most likely 9 a.m. to noon, then snow showers in the afternoon. High around 48.
Saturday night: West-northwest wind, 43 to 50 mph, gusting to 75 mph. 40% chance of snow showers with little to no snow accumulation. Low around 33 degrees.
Sunday, April 7: West-northwest wind, 38 to 43 mph, decreasing to 30 to 35 mph in the afternoon, gusting to 60 mph. 30% chance of snow showers before 7 a.m. Partly sunny with a high near 55 and low around 31 and continued windy.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado weekend weather forecast calls for extremely high wind gusts
