textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Passing wave brings scattered showers to portions of the area into this evening. One or two snow squalls, and maybe a rumble of thunder, will be possible.

- Warmer and drier conditions set in this weekend and into next week, with above average temperatures and fire weather concerns.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 1137 AM MST Fri Feb 20 2026

Upper trough will continue moving through the rest of today, with more showers spreading north and east across the region into this evening.

Current radar shows a line of convective snow showers, passing through the San Luis Valley and onto the southeast mountains, as of about 12pm. As the upper wave pushes the activity further east, a meager amount of CAPE will help keep showers going, leading to some scattered snow showers over the plains, though as things progress further east, expecting any precip at the ground to turn to rain. High-res models indicate, on average, about 200 K/kg of CAPE pushing behind this line of showers. Enough for a brief squall, or potentially a rumble or two of thunder as we move into the afternoon.

Precip will end tonight as the wave pushes off to the northeast, though some snow is expected to linger over the peaks of the Continental Divide. A front will pass over the far eastern plains as well, ushering in some cooler air and leaving some light snow over the Palmer and scattered showers out east. Lows will be chilly, particularly in places with lingering snow cover. Expect teens across the plains while the high valleys sink into the single digits.

Breezy northwest flow will set in aloft on Saturday as an upper- level ridge starts building in from the west. The area will dry out, with temperatures increasing into the 40s to low-50s out east, and 30s over the valleys. Post-frontal winds will start westerly, become weaker and more variable by the end of the day.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 1137 AM MST Fri Feb 20 2026

A warming and drying trend remains in the extend forecast for late this weekend and into next week. The upper ridge will continue to build, with high temperatures creeping into the 70s out east by Tuesday. Meanwhile, westerly winds aloft will increase, especially after Monday, giving us higher chances for critical fire weather conditions as we move towards the middle of next week

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1026 PM MST Fri Feb 20 2026

KCOS, KPUB, and KALS: VFR conditions are expected over the next 24 hours. Winds are expected to remain light, around and less then 10 knots, through the majority of this TAF period for all three TAF sites. Otherwise, dry conditions with mostly clear skies are anticipated.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Storm Warning until 11 PM MST this evening for COZ068.