High winds have hit the Front Range with gusts exceeding 80mph in some areas.  These winds are extremely gusty and have the potential to cause damage and can make driving conditions difficult.  

A High Wind Warning remains in effect for much of the Front Range and foothills until 8:00am (see area map below).  While Thornton is not in the warning area, we have received our fair share as ThorntonWeather.com recorded a 51mph gust earlier this morning.  In the near term, west winds of 15 to 30 mph gusting to 45 mph are expected all along the I-25 corridor.  Gusts as high as 75 mph will occur near the base of the foothills and areas in northern Jefferson County, Boulder County and Larimer County in particular will receive the highest winds. 

These winds will cause blowing dust and drivers on north-south roads need to be wary as the cross winds could cause a loss of control.  It would not be surprising to hear of accidents with light weight or high profile vehicles this morning.  Power outages are of course a possibility as well. 

From the National Weather Service, here are some of the recorded gusts across the Front Range:

05:48 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: ASOS BROOMFIELD COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES WEST-NORTHWEST OF BROOMFIELD

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 78.00 MPH   ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL AIRPORT

05:48 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER LARIMER COUNTY, CO   –   MASONVILLE

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 59.00 MPH

05:15 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF ERIE

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 77.00 MPH

04:45 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF ERIE

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 66.00 MPH

04:20 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BOULDER

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 69.00 MPH   NCAR MESA LAB

03:28 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER WELD COUNTY, CO   –  21 MILE NORTH OF NEW RAYMER

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 76.00 MPH

02:48 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO   –   LAKEWOOD

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 66.00 MPH

02:10 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  1 MILE WEST OF ELDORADO SPRINGS

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 66.00 MPH

12:30 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF BOULDER

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 67.00 MPH

12:30 AM   12/30/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO   –  9 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF BOULDER

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 82.00 MPH   ROCKY FLATS – NATIONAL WIND TECHNOLOGY CENTER

11:15 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES NORTH OF LONGMONT

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 84.00 MPH

10:39 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER LARIMER COUNTY, CO   –  BERTHOUD

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 91.00 MPH   CARTER LAKE

09:36 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES NORTH OF LONGMONT

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 71.00 MPH

09:14 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO   –   ROCKY FLATS

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 78.00 MPH

09:06 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: TRAINED SPOTTER LARIMER COUNTY, CO   –  BERTHOUD

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 88.00 MPH   AT CARTER LAKE

07:35 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  2 MILES SOUTH OF BOULDER

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 65.00 MPH   NCAR MESA LABS

07:21 PM   12/29/2008    REPORTED BY: MESONET BOULDER COUNTY, CO   –  3 MILES EAST OF GOLD HILL

NON-T-STORM WIND GUST  MEASURED AT 81.00 MPH