It's very stormy and weird outside. We'll be updating this post throughout the day with everything we know about the havoc this storm is wreaking. What's it look like in your neck of the woods? Let us know at [email protected].
3:10 p.m
- The number of delayed flights at DIA is approaching 500. At least 145 flights have been canceled.
- At least 50,000 Xcel Energy customers lost power in the state due to the windy conditions, 9News reports.
- The conditions led to the Denver Christkindl Market at Civic Center Park not to open on Wednesday, CBS4 reports.
1:00 p.m.
- RTD has now suspended its entire West Line service after suspending only a section.
- People in the Denver metro continue to experience power outages.
- DIA is asking people to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
12:00
West Line service has been completely suspended between Oak Station and Jefferson County Government-Golden Station. RTD bus shuttles are being set up.
11:45
Around 20,000 Denverites are now experiencing power outages.
11:25
West Line service has now been suspended between Oak Station and Federal/Decatur Station. Passengers can take bus Route 16 between these stations.
11:15
RTD's West Rail Line from Golden to Union Station is experiencing 15-minute wind delays.
11:00
More than 400 flights out of DIA have now been delayed, with over 120 canceled, according to website Flight Aware. Around 15,000 Denverites are now experiencing power outages.
10:45
Sporadic outages are now affecting nearly 5,000 Denverites, especially in the western half of the city.
10:30
To help people cleaning up downed tree limbs and debris, Denver Parks and Recreation is providing branch drop-off sites until Dec. 22.
9:45
Xcel Energy has reported over 30 outages in the Denver metro, impacting more than 500 customers. The National Weather Service shows Denver is under a high wind warning as well as a heightened risk of fire.
9:20 a.m.
The National Weather Service says Denver should expect wind speeds as fast at 85 miles per hour as a storm blows in.
NWS meteorologist Ayesha Wilkinson told us Tuesday that the high wind is being caused by "pressure gradients" that are "increasing and tightening." Basically, areas of high and low temperatures are colliding, which means air will whoosh between the two areas. Of particular relevance for Wednesday, Wilkinson said we're getting a lot of wind coming from the west, which will sprint down the mountains and into the Front Range.
DIA is down to two runways as strong winds sweep across the plains.
Kevin Beaty contributed to this reporting.
