A high wind warning has been issued across large parts of southern Arizona, including Tucson, Sierra Vista, Benson, Nogales and surrounding mountain and desert areas.
The warning is due to begin at 11pm MST on Thursday, October 15, and remain in place until 5am on Saturday, October 17, according to the National Weather Service in Tucson.
It covers the Tucson metropolitan area, the Upper San Pedro River Valley, the Upper Santa Cruz and Altar valleys, eastern Cochise County, parts of Pinal County and several mountain ranges, including the Santa Catalina, Rincon, Chiricahua, Huachuca and Santa Rita mountains.
East to south-east winds of between 35mph and 45mph are expected, with gusts reaching 55mph to 75mph. The strongest conditions are forecast from Friday into Friday night.
Forecasters warned that the winds could bring down trees and power lines, while blowing dust may reduce visibility across the region. A wind advisory is due to follow from 5am until 2pm on Saturday, with gusts of up to 60mph expected.
Communities named in the warning include Green Valley, Marana, Vail, Mount Lemmon, Summerhaven, Bisbee, Douglas, Willcox, Clifton, Safford, Oracle, Mammoth, Kearny and Eloy.
