March Will Usher in High Winds for Eastern Two-Thirds of U.S.

One of the biggest weather headlines of the week ahead will undoubtedly be the powerful winds expected to come out of a multi-faceted storm that is pushing across the country. Here are the details of the high winds predicted this week as a result of the cross-country storm.

Potentially Destructive Winds to Affect Dozens of States This Week

Millions of Americans will be under the threat of damaging winds this week, raising the risk of wildfire danger, travel delays, and widespread power outages. It may sound like a cliche but March truly is roaring in like a lion this year. Gusts could hit as high as 90 mph in the days ahead for parts of the central and eastern U.S.

The clash of a storm and various areas of high pressure anchored over the nation will create the high winds. The weather maker will generate heavy snow in a zone from the Colorado Front Range and over into the Upper Midwest. The southern flank of the system will produce thunderstorms and torrential rain throughout the southern U.S. and up the Atlantic Seaboard into the Northeast.

The winds generated by this storm will be powerful enough to bring down trees and power lines throughout the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. beginning Monday and lasting through Wednesday. The first batch of strong winds will ignite on Monday in the Four Corners region and along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Flagstaff, Arizona, will be one of the first areas to see these winds begin to whip up to start the work week. The forecast for this mountain town is calling for winds out of the southwest at 20 to 30 mph with the potential of stronger gusts on Monday. It will be a messy day in this part of the Arizona High County with snowfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches in the forecast. Highs will hover around the freezing mark before slipping to about 22 degrees overnight.

The wind event will push to the east throughout the day. Albuquerque, New Mexico, is predicted to see the winds hit speeds of 25 to 35 mph from the southwest. It will be warmer in this part of the Southwest with a forecast high in the upper 50s on Monday.

El Paso, Texas, is bracing for winds out of the west-southwest at 25 to 35 mph. Top gusts could eclipse the 50 mph mark at times. Despite the windy conditions, it will remain warm in this part of the Lone Star State with an expected high in the mid 70s. Winds will persist at speeds of 20 to 30 mph overnight in El Paso.