Colorado braces for High Winds and Potential Power Outages Amidst Unseasonably Warm Weather
Colorado’s Front Range is facing a dynamic weather situation this week, transitioning from record-breaking warmth to a high wind watch, raising concerns about potential power outages. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know to stay safe and prepared.
Current Conditions & Wind Speeds
A strong weather system is currently impacting the state. Here’s a snapshot of wind speeds reported Monday:
* Boulder: 44 mph
* Golden: 44 mph
* Denver: 29 mph
* Castle Rock: 25 mph
* Fort Collins: 32 mph
* Colorado Springs: 37 mph
These winds are expected to intensify, particularly across the Eastern plains.
High Wind Watch & Potential for Outages
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for the Eastern Plains, effective Wednesday night. Gusts could reach up to 65 mph. this poses a notable risk of downed power lines and widespread outages.
Xcel Energy is preparing for the possibility of proactively shutting off power in vulnerable areas to mitigate wildfire risk – a strategy they previously employed in April 2024, impacting approximately 55,000 customers, with an additional 250,000 experiencing outages due to the wind itself.If a pre-emptive shutoff occurs, it would be the second such event in Colorado.
Record Warmth Preceding the Storm
This weather shift comes after weeks of unusually mild conditions. denver recently tied its daily high temperature record of 68 degrees on december 15th – a record set back in 1921. Forecasters predict another potential record-tying high of 67 degrees on Friday, perhaps matching the December 19th record from 2023. This prolonged warmth has contributed to dry conditions, increasing fire danger.
Xcel Energy’s Safety Measures
Even without a pre-emptive shutoff, Xcel Energy is implementing “enhanced powerline safety settings” starting Wednesday.This means power lines will be more sensitive to disturbances. They will automatically shut off if something touches them, like a tree branch. This is designed to prevent fires, but could lead to localized, quicker outages.
What You Can Do to Prepare
Here’s how you can prepare for potential power outages:
* Stay Informed: Monitor weather updates from the National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov/).
* Charge Devices: Fully charge your cell phones, laptops, and any other essential electronic devices.
* Emergency Kit: Assemble or check your emergency kit. Include flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, non-perishable food, water, and any necessary medications.
* Secure Outdoor Items: Bring in or secure any outdoor furniture, decorations, or objects that could be blown around by the wind.
* Know How to report Outages: Familiarize yourself with Xcel Energy’s outage reporting options:
* Online Outage Map: https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-safety/outage-map
* Report Outage: https://xcelenergy-my.sharepoint.com/personal/brendan_neal_xcelenergy_com/Documents/Desktop/xcelenergy.com/out
* Text “OUT” to 98936
* Text “STAT” to check outage status
Power Restoration Timeline
If outages do occur, Xcel Energy crews will begin restoration efforts as soon as it’s safe to do so. However, restoration times can vary significantly – from several hours to several days – depending on the extent of the damage and the location. Crews must thoroughly inspect power lines before re-energizing them to
