Most Colorado residents have likely noticed the high winds whipping across the southern half of the state over the last one or two weeks.

The winds have had major effects, from overturned vehicles spanning across I-25 and U.S. Highway 85 to blowing snow causing road problems in the mountains. High winds can also increase fire danger and overturn power lines, causing power outages.

Fire hazards are increased with warm temperatures and strong winds. According to ABC57, “wildfires… injured at least six people, prompted a hospital to send patients elsewhere and forced the evacuation of two towns near Boulder, Colorado”.

According to the National Weather Service, high wind is most commonly caused by air pressure differences between strong low pressure and cold high pressure systems during the cold system.

The National Weather Service said “winds of 60 to near 100 MPH will occur in and near the foothills in areas such as Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, Canon City, Westcliffe, Walsenburg, and Trinidad”.

Wind speeds have been exceeding 100 MPH in Colorado. On Tuesday, April 5, the National Weather Service reported two gusts over 100 mph. Loveland experienced 80 MPH wind on April 5 and Boulder experienced 76 MPH wind the same day.

Hurricane wind speeds are measured using five categories spanning from 74 mph to more than 157 MPH. According to these categories, Colorado has been landing in the category 1 and occasionally category 2 hurricane wind speeds.

The National Weather Service office in Boulder commented, “We are in the midst of a truly historic windstorm across the front range, foothills and urban corridor.” Though we don’t know how long these high winds will last, make sure to check wind speeds if you have any safety concerns about driving or other activities that could be impacted by high winds.