DENVER – Two big weather stories will play out Wednesday in Colorado’s High Country and portions of the plains and I-25 corridor as high winds are expected to batter portions of the state. The wind and low humidity will also create conditions for the rapid spread of any fire along the I-25 corridor including the Denver metro area.
Due to the high wind danger and to prevent the wildfire threat, Xcel Energy will likely trigger a Public Safety Power Shutoff, potentially impacting thousands of customers in some areas. More info on that below.
After yet another unseasonable warm and calm day Tuesday, changes roll in Wednesday.
“Unfortunately with the warmer, dry and windy conditions, we’re looking at higher fire danger," said Lisa Hidalgo, Denver7 chief meteorologist.
“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Strong winds will likely lead to rapid fire growth of any new fire,” wrote National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters in Boulder.
A high wind warning starts at 11 a.m Wednesday and will be in effect until midnight.
“Strong downslope winds to impact the mountains, foothills, and I-25 corridor Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night, with potential for widespread gusts 60-85 mph, strongest near the base of the foothills. Breezy conditions will extend into the plains through Thursday morning.”
Colorado’s mountains and foothills above 9,000 feet could see up to 85 mph wind gusts on Wednesday. Wind gusts between 50 to 70 mph are also possible for the lower foothills and communities on the western side of the I-25 corridor, wrote the NWS, which called the weather system a “high impact wind event.”
A red flag warning will go into effect starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday for the I-25 corridor to include Fort Collins, Boulder, the Denver metro, and Castle Rock through Colorado Springs.
The NWS said the “primary window of concern” will run through 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Weather News
Xcel Energy will likely shut off power Wednesday due to forecasted strong winds
Due to the wind situation, Xcel Energy customers should be advised the utility is planning for a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS, on Wednesday which means power would be proactively shut off in targeted areas for a period of time when wildfire risk is extremely high.
Here's what Xcel Energy said in a Tuesday afternoon news release:
"Xcel Energy is planning for a likely PSPS beginning around 10 a.m., impacting around 52,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. Risk assessments based on the latest forecast data and advanced modelling tool outputs, as well as recent improvements to grid infrastructure, have enabled us to reduce the size of the affected areas. Due to changing weather conditions, the PSPS event is now expected to begin at 10 a.m. rather than at 12 noon."
Xcel Energy added that outages are possible in areas outside of a PSPS.
Before any PSPS would happen, Xcel Energy would first use another tool called Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings or EPSS.
EPSS are extra protections which allow power lines to remain active until an issue is detected such as “a tree branch or other object touching” a line, according to Xcel Energy.
Once an issue is detected, power to the line is shut off.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) also urged drivers of high-profile vehicles to remain alert to conditions and "be prepared to delay travel if winds become unsafe."
While Tuesday will remain mostly dry in Colorado, the weather system triggering Wednesday’s high winds will also bring snow to the higher elevations.
Hidalgo said there is a slight chance a shower could roll across the Denver metro area late Wednesday afternoon into the early evening hours.
Stay with Denver7 for updates and we will publish a live, Colorado weather blog tracking impacts on Wednesday.
Denver7's Stephanie Butzer contributed to this report.
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