Colorado Weather: Wind gusts bring power outages and the threat of wildfires and avalanches




Wind gusts caused power outages, dust plumes, and fire and avalanche danger Friday and through the weekend — a classic Colorado weather conundrum.
Metro Denver had multiple power outages Friday afternoon. CORE Electric reports 109 residents lost power in Jefferson, Douglas, and Elbert counties. Jefferson County had the most number of residents impacted.
In Aurora, Denver and Glendale, Xcel Energy said nine outages impacted over 4,400 residents. Both utilities expect to restore power in their respective areas later Friday afternoon.
Areas outside of metro Denver, like Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, also have outages but residents were not as severely impacted. Xcel reported six outages impacting 229 residents in Boulder.
The National Weather Service said fire danger was high in Southeast Colorado Friday through 5 p.m. Drivers traveling on the northern and southern portion of the I-25 corridor should be cautious. Blowing dust could make travel dangerous and difficult, especially in southwest and northeast Colorado.
Here are some safety tips if you encounter blowing dust! #cowx https://t.co/4FT1n3LWya pic.twitter.com/qXSEPXHNla
— NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) December 2, 2022
A high wind restriction for high profile and light trailers was issued between State Highway 1 and Wyoming border in Larimer County from Mile 281 to Mile 298.88 Friday.
#I25 northbound: High wind restriction between CO 1 and the Wyoming Border. All northbound light high profile vehicles must exit highway at Exit 281 (Owl Canyon) https://t.co/15kWasdBBB
— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT) December 2, 2022
Residents should avoid activities involving fire and should drive slowly with their lights on if caught in a dust storm.
West Metro Fire Rescue sent crews to Pritchett outside of Springfield in Baca County to assist with any potential wildfires.
Windy & Red Flag Warning in southeastern Colorado today. This video from our crew of firefighters near Pritchett outside of Springfield. They’re in the area as extra resources in the event of a wildfire. In these conditions- if a fire ignites- it will spread quickly. #cowx https://t.co/M7csiBNuji pic.twitter.com/YFs4lRe1Z0
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) December 2, 2022
High winds in Western Colorado prompted avalanche warnings from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). The CAIC lists mountain ranges near Crested Butte, Glenwood Springs, and Steamboat Springs at Level 4 meaning conditions are very dangerous. Travel in those areas is not recommended. Those conditions are expected to last through Saturday.
You care.
You want to know what is really going on these days, especially in Colorado. We can help you keep up. The Lookout is a free, daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado. Sign up here and we will see you in the morning!