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Yuma wind advisory starts Sunday at 2 a.m.; gusts could reach 55 mph
Strong wind and blowing dust could make Sunday travel difficult. Free sandbag stations in Yuma are scheduled to close Saturday afternoon.
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Yuma and the Fortuna Foothills will be under a Wind Advisory from 2 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, October 11, with south winds expected to gust as high as 55 mph.
The National Weather Service advisory, issued early Saturday, warns of difficult driving, especially for larger vehicles facing crosswinds. Loose outdoor objects could become airborne, and blowing dust or sand could sharply reduce visibility.
Preparations should be completed Saturday. The advisory begins overnight, before many residents will be heading out Sunday morning.
The Yuma point forecast, updated at 12:17 a.m. Saturday, puts the chance of showers and thunderstorms at 40% Saturday, mainly after 4 p.m., and 60% Saturday night. Sunday's rain chance is 20%. Strong wind remains a concern even where rainfall is limited.
The Weather Service's regional forecast discussion links the unsettled weather to remnant moisture from Rachel and an approaching trough. Local conditions can change quickly as showers move through.
Two free sandbag stations are advertised for Saturday, October 10. The City of Yuma station at the Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive, is scheduled to operate from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a limit of five bags per vehicle while supplies last.
The county station at Public Works, 4343 S. Avenue 5-1/2 E, is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a six-bag limit per vehicle. Both require visitors to fill their own bags. Bring a shovel and be prepared to load them. Neither notice advertises Sunday pickup.
Secure loose outdoor items before the wind arrives. Drivers should allow extra time, watch for crosswinds, and avoid entering blowing dust. If visibility collapses, Weather Service guidance is to pull completely off the roadway, stop, turn off all vehicle lights, set the parking brake, and take your foot off the brake pedal.
Do not drive or walk into floodwater, and do not go around barricades. Check AZ511 before traveling and follow posted local traffic controls.
The Quechan Tribe's October 8 notice warns that Ross Road and Quick Road may become inaccessible during the storm.
The city's October 8 road report also lists construction closures on portions of Gila Street and 3rd Street for the Hotel Del Sol project. Those restrictions are separate from any storm response.
Residents planning outdoor activities should check with the organizer before leaving.
Sources 10
- Primary source · Government recordADOT AZ511 travel conditions
Official Arizona travel-condition service. Conditions change; this resource is not a declaration that all Yuma roads are open.
- Primary source · Government recordCity of Yuma Road Report, October 8, 2026
City weekly construction and encroachment report, posted October 8 at 1:09 p.m. Lists Hotel Del Sol closures and other projects. Planned work is distinct from active weather-related restrictions.
- Primary source · Government recordCity of Yuma sandbag station, October 9-10, 2026
City notice posted October 8 at 12:24 p.m. Advertises self-serve sandbags at the Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive, October 9-10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., limited to five per vehicle while supplies last. It does not advertise Sunday service.
- Primary source · Government recordNational Weather Service dust-driving safety
Official safety guidance on avoiding dust and pulling completely off the roadway with vehicle lights off, parking brake set and foot off the brake pedal. This is general safety guidance, not a current Yuma weather alert.
- Primary source · Government recordNational Weather Service flood safety
Official guidance to avoid walking or driving into floodwater. This is general safety guidance, not a current flood warning for Yuma.
- Primary source · Government recordNWS Phoenix regional forecast discussion, October 10, 2026
Regional forecast discussion issued October 10 at 1:37 a.m. MST connecting Rachel remnants and an approaching trough with weekend rain and wind. Regional hazard discussions are not forecasts of identical conditions at every Yuma location. The current-version link changes over time.
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- Primary source · Government recordNWS Wind Advisory for Yuma and Fortuna Foothills, October 11, 2026
National Weather Service Phoenix advisory issued October 10 at 12:12 a.m. MST, effective Sunday October 11 from 2 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. It forecasts south winds of 20-30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph and warns of crosswinds and blowing dust. This live product can change.
- Primary source · Government recordNWS Yuma point forecast, October 10, 2026
Yuma point forecast updated October 10 at 12:17 a.m. MST. It gives rain probabilities of 40% Saturday, 60% Saturday night and 20% Sunday. These are point probabilities, not countywide rainfall totals. The forecast is a changing product.
- Primary source · Government recordQuechan Tribe weather alert for October 11, 2026
Tribal notice dated October 8 advertises Housing Authority parking-lot sandbags and warns of possible loss of access to Ross Road and Quick Road during the storm. It does not establish an active closure or give station hours.
- Primary source · Government recordYuma County Public Works sandbag station, October 9-10, 2026
County notice posted October 8 at 4:46 p.m. Advertises free self-fill sandbags at 4343 S. Avenue 5-1/2 E, October 9-10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., limited to six per vehicle. It does not advertise Sunday service.