NWS Pueblo will Issue Blowing Dust Advisories & Dust Storm Warnings

Northbound on 287 North of Campo – Picture by Don Steerman

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Pueblo, Colorado will issue Blowing Dust Advisories and Dust Storm Warnings when needed, beginning Monday, February 10th.  

There has been an ongoing moderate to exceptional drought across the southeast plains of Colorado, and with those dry conditions, blowing dust episodes have increased over the past several months. 

In order to better serve citizens and visitors to southern Colorado, these dust conditions will be highlighted in our forecasts.    

Blowing Dust Advisories will be issued when widespread or local dust conditions are occurring or imminent, with visibilities dropping to between one mile and 1/4 mile due to blowing dust. 

Dust Storm Warnings will be issued when widespread or local dust conditions are occurring or imminent, with visibilities of 1/4 mile or lower due to blowing dust.    

NOTE:  A Dust Storm Warning triggers the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which is a free public alerting service that targets your current mobile device location.  If the cell tower you are using is within the warning, your mobile device will alert you.  

The Blowing Dust Advisories issued by the National Weather Service in Pueblo should not be confused with the Blowing Dust Advisories issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.  The CDPHE air quality advisories are often issued when the air quality index (AQI) exceeds (or is expected to exceed) a value of 100; or, in areas without air quality monitors, when there is evidence that air quality is or will become “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” or worse (e.g., during wildfire smoke or blowing dust events).    

Dust conditions can be serious, causing respiratory issues and chain reaction vehicle accidents.