High Wind Warnings and Red Flag Warnings in effect across Panhandle, southeast Wyoming and northeast Colorado

SIDNEY, Neb. — High Wind Warnings and Red Flag Warnings are in effect Tuesday across the Nebraska Panhandle, southeast Wyoming and portions of northeast Colorado as strong winds and low humidity create hazardous travel and extreme fire danger.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne has issued a High Wind Warning from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Dawes, Box Butte, Scotts Bluff, Banner, Morrill, Kimball, Cheyenne, Northern Sioux and Southern Sioux counties in Nebraska. Cities include Chadron, Alliance, Scottsbluff, Gering, Bridgeport, Bayard, Sidney and Harrison.

Forecasters expect west winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. Areas of blowing dust may reduce visibility at times. Officials said strong crosswinds will be hazardous to light weight and high-profile vehicles, including campers and tractor-trailers.

In southeast Wyoming, a High Wind Warning remains in effect from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the South Laramie Range, South Laramie Range Foothills and Central Laramie County, including the Interstate 80 Summit between Cheyenne and Laramie. Winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 75 mph are expected.

A separate High Wind Warning is in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for much of northeast Colorado, including Sterling, Fort Morgan, Akron and Julesburg. West winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph could result in tree damage and possible power outages.

Red Flag Warnings are also in effect from early Tuesday morning through the evening for fire weather zones across the Nebraska Panhandle, southeast Wyoming and northeast Colorado.

In western Nebraska, southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph early will increase to west winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. Relative humidity will fall between 12 and 20 percent, with poor overnight recoveries.

The National Weather Service in North Platte described conditions in parts of western and southwest Nebraska as a “particularly dangerous situation,” with west winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts between 45 and 55 mph, relative humidity as low as 11 percent and temperatures in the upper 60s to mid-70s. Officials warned that any fires that start will spread rapidly and be extremely difficult to control.

In northeast Colorado, a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for much of the Interstate 25 corridor and northeast plains, where west winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts up to 60 mph are expected. Relative humidity could drop to 12 percent.

Authorities are urging residents to secure loose objects, avoid outdoor burning and use caution while traveling, especially in high-profile vehicles.