You know the deal today…wind, fire danger, blowing dirt are the headliners. Gusts over 60 mph will be possible, as you can see in the animation below. The wind gust animation starts today, 10 AM MST and ends tonight, 8 PM MST #desertfarmers #cowx #kswx #newx #wywx #okwx #txwx… pic.twitter.com/n89MIfBDQp
— Brian Bledsoe 🐊 (@BrianBledsoe) February 17, 2026
Extreme winds ripping across the US could cause hurricane-level destruction and affect thousands of air travelers nationwide.
High wind warnings have been issued throughout more than ten states in the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and Southwest throughout Tuesday.
Gusts are expected to reach hurricane strength, exceeding 75mph, in parts of Colorado, Montana, Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, California, South Dakota, Nebraska and Alaska have also been warned to prepare for sustained winds over 30mph and gusts between 60 and 70mph.
NWS has even said that Americans in the skies may be at risk of injury as air turbulence is expected to be particularly extreme, especially over Texas and New Mexico.
The addition of blizzard conditions across the Northern Plains, including Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas, is predicted to compound travel misery through Wednesday, bringing several inches of snow, 60mph wind gusts and little to no visibility on roads.
The wind gusts could be so extreme that NWS officials fear large trucks and tractor-trailers could be blown over on their sides while driving.
Meanwhile, flights at Denver International Airport have already been delayed by more than two hours due to wind conditions on the runway.