High winds in Southwest raise rollover risk for truckers

Truckers will have to battle wind gusts exceeding 50 mph Wednesday and possibly Thursday across the Four Corners region and other parts of the Southwest. This will increase the risk of rollovers not only for drivers who are deadheading (hauling empty dry van or temperature-controlled trailers), but even for drivers carrying full truckloads of freight.

Target areas

Gusts will range from 45 to 55 mph in many portions of southeastern California, including Barstow; southern Nevada, including Las Vegas; much of Arizona, except Phoenix and Tucson; as well as most of New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. Winds could reach 60 mph in some isolated spots.

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The National Weather Service has issued wind advisories for some of these areas, but most of them are under red flag warnings because they are prone to wildfires due to long-term serious drought coupled with the winds. The air will also be very dry, with daytime humidity less than 10%. New and existing wildfires could spread quickly, possibly leading to more road closures. Sections of several state highways near Las Vegas, New Mexico, have been closed for weeks due to the Hermits Peak fire, the largest wildfire in the country, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.