textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Critical fire weather conditions expected today across the I-25 Corridor and portions of Fremont, Huerfano and Las Animas counties.

- Another round of snow headed for the high country later tonight and through the day Friday, with the potential for some light snow to spread across the plains Friday afternoon and evening.

- Warming and drying trend through the weekend with temperatures back above seasonal levels early next week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 1257 AM MST Thu Feb 19 2026

Current water vapor imagery and upper air analysis has moderate to strong west to southwest flow across the region, as an embedded short wave is translating across north central Colorado. Water vapor imagery is also indicating some drying across central into eastern Colorado, indicative of stronger downslope winds across the region with a few reports of 55 to 65 mph winds already recorded in the lee of eastern mountains late this evening. Regional radars have diminishing echoes through the late evening, as much drier air filters into the region.

Strong westerly winds to slowly diminish through early Thursday morning, as gradient relaxes with passing wave. Latest data is not as conducive for strong mtn wave, however, can not rule out a few more reports 60 to 70 mph winds in the lee of Pikes Peak, and especially in the lee of the southern Sangres through 3 AM, with current High Wind Warnings remaining in tact through 6 AM and 8 AM.

Moderate westerly flow aloft continues across the region through the day today, with southwest flow expected to increase into tonight, ahead of more Pacific Northwest energy digging across the Intermountain West.

Latest model data supports breezy north to northwest winds across the plains this morning, as a weak front moves across the High Plains behind this mornings passing wave. These winds diminish across the far southeast plains through the early afternoon, however, breezy west to northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph remain for areas over and near the higher terrain, supporting Critical Fire Weather conditions, with very dry air in place. With that said, we made no changes to current Red Flag Warning for portions of Fremont, El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas counties, starting at 10 AM. Temperatures today continue to follow the cooling trend, with highs mainly in the 40s across the plains, in the teens and 20s across the higher terrain and into the 30s for the high mountain valleys.

Increasing moisture within the increasing southwest flow across the region tonight will again develop snow along and west of the Continental, with snow increasing in coverage and intensity through the day Friday, as this next wave moves across the Rockies. Model trends are not as amplified with this wave, however, will likely need some winter highlights across the Divide, with 5 to 10 inches possible across the SW mtns and 3 to 6 inches possible across the Central mtns. While westerly breezes continue over and near the higher terrain on Friday, cooler temperatures with highs in the 30s and 40s across the plains, 20s and 30s across the higher terrain, and better moisture looks to alleviate Critical Fire Weather conditions. Chances for showers continue across the plains Friday afternoon and evening, however, with the less amplified system, any precipitation is expected to remain light.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1257 AM MST Thu Feb 19 2026

A warming and drying remains in the offing for the weekend, with highs in the 40s and 50s across the plains and into the 30s and 40s across the higher terrain. Upper ridging building across the Rockies early next week will help boost temperatures well above seasonal levels through the middle of next week, with increasing westerly flow also bringing back the potential for critical fire weather conditions.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1023 PM MST Wed Feb 18 2026

KCOS, KPUB, and KALS: VFR conditions are expected over the next 24 hours. Winds will remain gusty through the early part of this TAF period, with a slight decrease Thursday morning. With that said though, winds will increase again during the afternoon hours as diurnal mixing becomes established. Otherwise, dry conditions with occasional pockets of mid to high level clouds is anticipated.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning until 5 AM MST early this morning for COZ072>075-078>080-083-086>088. Red Flag Warning from 10 AM this morning to 7 PM MST this evening for COZ222-227>230-233. High Wind Warning until 8 AM MST this morning for COZ081-082- 084-085.