Estes Park, CO – Drivers crossing Berthoud Pass and the Eisenhower Tunnel corridor could face 80 mph wind gusts by late Tuesday morning, strong enough to shove high-profile vehicles across lanes and trigger isolated power outages.
According to the National Weather Service in Denver, a High Wind Warning takes effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday and continues until 6 p.m. for the Northern Front Range Foothills and Front Range Mountains, including Rocky Mountain National Park, the Indian Peaks, Mosquito Range and areas above 9,000 feet. West winds will sustain at 35 to 50 mph, with peak gusts reaching 80 mph.
Communities from Estes Park and Nederland to Winter Park and Breckenridge sit in the highest impact zone. Exposed stretches near Cameron Pass, Rabbit Ears Range and Mount Blue Sky will see the strongest bursts. Larimer and Boulder counties between 6,000 and 9,000 feet will also experience damaging crosswinds.
Blowing debris may scatter across roadways, and utilities could see sporadic outages. Forecasters warn that any new wildfire start could spread rapidly under these wind conditions.
Residents should secure patio furniture, trash bins and construction materials before sunrise Tuesday. Travelers, especially those towing trailers or driving semitrailers, should delay mountain travel until winds ease after 6 p.m. Additional advisories remain possible if gusts trend higher.
