Monday is a First Alert Weather Day in Colorado as strong winds and very dry air create critical fire weather conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning through this evening for the I-25 Corridor, the Front Range Foothills, and much of the northeast plains. Wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph will be common, with some foothill areas briefly seeing gusts as high as 70 mph. The strong winds are also causing patchy blowing dust on the plains, reducing visibility at times.

In the mountains, a quick burst of snow moved through early Monday morning, along and north of the I-70 corridor. Conditions are expected to improve by midday as drier air moves in.

Winds will ease later this afternoon and evening, setting the stage for a Freeze Warning overnight for parts of the I-25 corridor and adjacent plains.

Tuesday brings calmer weather and more seasonal temperatures in the 60s. 

Police are investigating after a small plane crashed Sunday afternoon near the runway at the Erie Municipal Airport in Weld County, according to the department.

The Erie Police Department first posted about the single-plane crash at 3:59 p.m. Sunday. Department spokesperson Amber Luttrell said the crash happened about 15 minutes before that.

Two people were on board the plane, Luttrell said. The extent of their injuries was not immediately available.

Additional information about the crash, including the cause and the plane’s flight information, was not immediately available Sunday.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, Luttrell said.

Neither agency immediately responded to requests for comment on Sunday.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

A man who reportedly struck a Colorado police officer and two vehicles before fleeing each scene was captured Saturday afternoon. Authorities said he is facing numerous charges, including first-degree assault on a peace officer, second-degree assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest, felony menacing, felony vehicular eluding, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence and accident involving damage (hit and run).