textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Well above normal temperatures will continue through Saturday, with all time monthly records expected to fall Saturday.

- Humidity values will be exceptionally low through Saturday, with the most critical fire weather day on Saturday due to increased winds.

- A cold front will bring a brief cool down Sunday and Monday, with trends over the Central Mountains and Palmer Divide area drier.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 134 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Upper ridge in place will dominate the weather through the period, with hot and dry conditions expected to persist. 700mb temps have been on the rise, and will steadily increase throughout the remainder of the day. Given this trend and abundance of sunshine, did increase highs for today a few degrees with most locations over the plains and mountain valleys likely ending up well into the 80s today. RHs will be low, in the single digits, but with the lighter wind field in place, still don't anticipate any widespread critical fire weather conditions. Most locations won't see any persistent higher winds this afternoon, however, spotty locations over the northern San Luis Valley and central mountains should see a slight surge in winds late this afternoon. Again, at this point, not enough to warrant any fire weather headlines today.

No real big shift in the pattern and overall thermal fields, with another hot day in the 80s anticipated across southern Colorado on Friday. Despite hot temperatures and rather dry air with RH values in the single digits, the wind field remain light with critical fire weather conditions not expected at this time.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 134 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Hot conditions continue at the start of the period despite the upper ridge breaking down on Saturday. This will result in increasing deep westerlies over the region and support additional warming. With 700mb temps pushing into the mid to upper teens, limited cloud cover, and with deep mixing, Saturday is still on track to be the hottest day. Given these trends, did increase highs for Saturday, with temps well in the 90s looking to be in store for most locations over the plains. Would not be surprised to see temps push into the upper 90s over the far eastern plains. Air mass looks to be even drier, especially looking at varying forecast soundings, and so lowered dew points in the afternoon. Both adjustments are resulting in RH values well into the single digits. Surface wind field will increase on Saturday, though does look to be slightly delayed for a portion of the day. These higher winds do arrive through the mid afternoon time frame and then increase through early evening. This will support widespread critical fire weather conditions for areas along the I-25 corridor and to the west. Given the anticipated conditions, did go ahead and issue a Fire Weather Watch for those areas on Saturday. Elsewhere, RHs will be low, but the winds won't be strong enough to support critical fire weather conditions.

Front will arrive on Sunday bringing cooler temperatures to most locations, however, temps will still be above normal for this time of the year. Maybe some precip development along the higher terrain as flow backs to the east and southeast, but these chances look low at this time. Fire danger does lower on Sunday, but with critical fire weather conditions appearing likely once again for the mountain valleys. Stronger zonal flow will transition to upper ridging through the middle of next week with temperatures once again rising to well above normal values for this time of the year. Fire danger looks to remain high in this pattern, but will need to monitor overall wind fields through the period.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 515 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026

VFR conditions anticipated across the forecast area over the next 24 hrs, including the three main TAF sites of KCOS, KPUB and KALS. Surface winds will be diurnally driven and generally under 12 kts. Mentioned a FEW layer for KCOS and KPUB to account for smoke in the air from various wildfires. Should clear out for terminals between 02z and 04z with diurnal wind shift.

CLIMATE

Issued at 134 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026

LCD sites March 19th-21st Record Highs

ALS...Thu...Mar 19...72F...1907 ALS...Fri...Mar 20...72F...2004 ALS...Sat...Mar 21...72F...1997

COS...Thu...Mar 19...80F...2017 COS...Fri...Mar 20...76F...2017 COS...Sat...Mar 21...75F...1995

PUB...Thu...Mar 19...86F...2017 PUB...Fri...Mar 20...84F...2017 PUB...Sat...Mar 21...82F...2016

The all time record March max temp for Alamosa .........is 76. The all time record March max temp for Colorado Springs is 81. The all time record March max temp for Pueblo ..........is 86.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through Saturday evening for COZ220>230.