textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Dry weather returns with spotty critical fire weather conditions returning at times across the San Luis Valley and I-25 corridor Sun and Mon if fuels are critical.

- Chance for some light precipitation Tue and Tue Night for southern and eastern areas.

- Increasing critical fire weather concerns mid to late week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 1213 AM MST Sat Mar 7 2026

Lingering snow showers will continue across the central mountains and adjacent valleys for a few more hours overnight as an orphaned weak circulation center continues to squeeze out light snow. Lift is weakening so expect snow showers to gradually diminish over the next hour or two with only light additional amounts for localized areas. Clearing skies and dry weather will return for Saturday with temperatures rebounding into the mid 40s and 50s across the lower elevations with 30s and 40s across the mountains. Winds remain light and many areas will see the snow melt off efficiently through the day. Tonight will be dry and mostly clear allowing for efficient radiational cooling over the mountain valleys. Went towards colder side of guidance and blends for lows in those areas. Otherwise lee troughing returns along the southeast mountains which will yield warmer low temperatures where enhanced westerly drainage winds set up along the lower eastern slopes. -KT

LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 1213 AM MST Sat Mar 7 2026

Spotty elevated to critical fire weather conditions increase for Sunday and Monday across southern areas and portions of the I-25 corridor. Flow aloft on Sunday still looks fairly weak and with the recent snow cover, fuels may still be too moist, though greatest concern areas will be across the southern San Luis Valley and the southern I-25 corridor where snowfall was lightest with this last event. Suspect that winds will come up shy across most areas anyway, so did not issue any Fire Weather Watches at this point. Odds increase for Monday as westerly flow aloft increases. The southern San Luis Valley and portions of the I-25 corridor will be most vulnerable though driest conditions across the southern areas are not as well juxtaposed to the stronger winds across northern areas, so there is still some uncertainty. Temperatures will rebound back into the 70s to around 80 across the plains on Monday with 50s and 60s for the valleys and 30s and 40s for the mountain areas.

Old cut off low lifts out across NM on Tuesday with the northern edge of its precipitation shield invading southern areas through the day. A northern stream upper trough moves across the Rockies which will help increase winds aloft, creating some spotty elevated fire weather concerns over the I-25 corridor. Once the northern stream trough passes to the east Tuesday night, a cold front will drop through the plains bringing a chance for light precipitation as it has trended back towards a more amplified but progressive system. This will bring a slight cool down for Wednesday as we dry out again. The potential for more widespread critical fire weather conditions increases for Thursday and Friday as we remain under strong northwest flow aloft. -KT

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1033 PM MST Fri Mar 6 2026

At KPUB and KCOS, VFR cigs overnight lift by sunrise Sat, with VFR conditions through the day and into the evening on Sat. Fog risk looks limited, given downslope north winds at both terminals through the night, so won't add any mention at this point. Winds on Sat gradually turn upslope during the afternoon, then late drainage winds develop Sat evening.

At KALS, VFR cigs lift through the night, then VFR conditions continue through the day Sat into Sat evening. Might see a slightly higher risk of fog here if clouds clear and winds go light toward 12z, but chances look too low to mention this forecast cycle.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.