Strong winds will gust through Colorado and New Mexico on Tuesday, creating difficult road conditions for Thanksgiving travelers.
Nearly 80 million people will travel for Thanksgiving this year, the AAA said, with Tuesday and Wednesday expected to be the busiest travel days. However, inclement weather could disrupt those on their way to visit their families.
On Tuesday morning, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists issued a high wind warning in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Wind gusts will be equivalent to a tropical storm and could cause hazardous conditions for motorists.
The winds are caused by the remnants of an atmospheric river that hit California earlier this week, NWS meteorologist Carter Greulich told Newsweek.
The system has "weakened greatly," so the heavy moisture that saturated California is not a threat to the interior states. However, as the system has moved east, it contributed to a "pretty strong upper-level flow" that has caused the high winds, Greulich said.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, there are three separate high wind warnings, all issued by the NWS office in Albuquerque.
The first will remain in effect for the northern, southern and east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Johnson and Bartlett mesas, including Raton Pass, through Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. local time.
West winds between 30 and 40 mph are expected, with gusts up to 65 mph, equivalent to a tropical storm, which ranges from 39 mph to 73 mph.
"Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines," the warning said. "Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles."
Another high wind warning will go into effect for the Northeast Highlands at 8 p.m. local time, Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. West winds between 35 and 45 mph are expected, with gusts up to 70 mph.
"Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution," the warning said.
The third high wind warning is for the same period for the Far Northeast Highlands.
Colorado
The NWS office in Pueblo, Colorado, also issued a high wind warning on Tuesday morning. It will remain in effect until 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday for Huerfano County and western Las Animas County.
West winds between 30 and 40 mph are expected, with gusts up to 65 mph.
"Strong cross winds on Interstate 25 from Walsenburg to the New Mexico border could topple light weight and high profile vehicles," the warning said.
Winds could return to the region on Saturday, Greulich said, although they will be "nowhere near" the strong winds that are sweeping the region on Tuesday.
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