Winter winds can not only make it miserable to be outside, they can also be dangerous.

As we often experience, high winds in Colorado can cause conditions to deteriorate rapidly.  They present a very real danger to life and property, especially when coupled with other winter conditions like snow.

Why does it seem like we get so much wind in the winter?  What causes this?  How can you prepare and protect yourself and your property?

In this third in a series on winter weather preparedness from the National Weather Service, ThorntonWeather.com helps you understand why we receive so much wind and how to prepare for it.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
ISSUED BY NWS PUEBLO CO
600 AM MDT WED OCT 24 2012

HIGH WINDS ARE A MAJOR THREAT IN COLORADO DURING THE WINTER

Governor John Hickenlooper has proclaimed this week through October 27th as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado. This is the time to review winter weather preparedness plans.

The two main causes of high winds in Colorado during the cold season are the air pressure difference between strong low pressure and cold high pressure systems, and Chinook winds developing across the Front Range and other eastern mountain ranges.

A strong low pressure system across the Rockies, coupled with a high pressure system, can send a cold wind, known as a bora, down the leeward slopes of the mountains.  The majority of events are widespread high winds from the west or northwest into the adjacent plains at speeds which can exceed 100 mph.  Much more rare are those events when low pressure is across the Rockies, and high pressure is across the great plains.  The result is damaging winds from the east across the western slopes of mountain ranges and adjacent valleys.

Mid and upper level winds over Colorado are much stronger in the winter than in the warm season, because of the huge difference in temperature from north to south across North America.  West winds, under certain conditions, can bring warm, dry Chinook winds plowing down the slopes of the eastern mountains. These winds can 100 mph in extreme cases, bringing the potential for widespread damage.  Winds of 60 to near 100 mph are possible in and near the foothills in the Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, Canon City, Westcliffe, Walsenburg and Trinidad areas.  The areas around Boulder and Westcliffe are especially prone to these extreme wind events.

Dangers from high winds include flying debris, reduced visibility due to dust, damaged or destroyed structures, downed power lines, and overturned vehicles.  The National Weather Service will issue a high wind watch when there is around a 50 percent chance for high winds to develop during the next day or two. When the threat becomes more certain in a specific area, a high wind warning will be issued.  Cold strong winds can also bring dangerously low wind chill values, prompting a wind chill advisory or wind chill warning.

If high winds are forecast for your area, it is a good idea to bring lightweight objects indoors, or tie them down or move them so they do not become dangerous missiles.  Any downed power lines should not be approached, instead call the utility company.  Stay clear from buildings under construction during high winds.  They can easily collapse.  Traveling on north-south roads near the mountains along the Front Range during a high wind event can also be dangerous.  If you drive a lightweight or high profile vehicle, you may want to wait until the high winds die down.

Tom Magnuson
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service  Pueblo Colorado

Tags: blizzard, emergency preparedness, high winds, winter weather, winter weather driving

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