Hold onto your hat across the interior West. High winds will develop today and linger through the weekend, increasing the danger of wildfires while impacting air quality.

The WindRadar shows high winds developing this afternoon and evening throughout the Great Basin, western Rockies and the Desert Southwest. Wind gusting in excess of 25 mph are likely in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Phoenix.

The high wind threat is a double whammy. Wildfires that start anywhere in the drought-stricken Southwest and Great Basin will spread quickly and the smoke and dust blowing in the wind will cause the air quality to plummet. The wind threat continues every afternoon this weekend, too.

The latest Air Quality forecasts are available directly in the application. If you are affected by the windy conditions, feel free to share your latest videos with us.