textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Critical fire weather conditions for Fremont and Pueblo counties tomorrow afternoon and evening.

- Warming trend starts tomorrow, with 100+ degree readings across the eastern plains Friday through Tuesday.

- Spotty critical fire weather conditions across the far eastern plains this weekend.

- Dry region-wide through Saturday, then moisture slowly increases over the higher terrain from Sunday onward.

- Influx of monsoon moisture increase precipitation chances significantly next week, with flash flooding concerns by mid- week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 1253 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

Currently...Upper ridge of high pressure stationed over the Desert SW today, providing for sunny, hazy and warm conditions across the region. As of 1 PM, temps had climbed into the 80s across the high valleys, and 80s to lower 90s for the plains.

Tonight and tomorrow...Little change to the upper pattern, with the center of the high remaining over southern UT and northern AZ. Any isolated convection that does fire over the mt ridges will likely remain along the southern border through the evening, with the last activity exiting the southeast corner of the state by midnight. Main threats from any storms this evening will be gusty outflow winds, and cloud to ground lightning. Look for overnight lows in the mid 40s to lower 50s for the high valleys, and upper 50s to mid 60s for the plains.

For Friday, the heat starts to crank up, with forecast highs in the upper 80s to mid 90s for the high valleys, and mid 90s to low 100s for the plains. Widespread minimum humidity levels of less than 15% will mean a very hot and dry day, and decided to upgrade the ongoing Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for Fremont and Pueblo counties since gap flow winds there should be strong enough to produce critical fire weather conditions.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 1253 PM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

Friday night through Sunday...Upper ridge flattens out somewhat but still remains in somewhat the same position. This will mean very hot conditions across the forecast area both Sat and Sun. Precipitation chances look meager with just isolated chances over the mts for Sat, then a slight uptick in activity for Sun though it does not as promising as it did just 24 hrs ago. Spotty fire weather conditions may develop for the far eastern plains near the KS border due to strengthening southerly winds and RH levels bottoming out, so additional fire weather highlights are likely from following shifts. Plan on highs both days in the upper 80s to mid 90s for the high valleys, and 96-106F across the plains.

Monday and Tuesday...Upper ridge becomes more amplified again to start the work week, while the center of the high continues right over the UT/AZ border. Long range models still want to increase precip chances over the higher terrain both days into the likely category, with some isolated activity spilling over onto the I-25 Corridor. The far eastern plains will likely remain dry. There will be a slight increase in llvl moisture, so the hope is that RH levels remain above the critical sub-15% range. Temps will remain hot, though there may be a few degrees of cooling in some spots, with highs both days in the 80s to around 90F for the high valleys, and 90s to low 100s for the plains.

Wednesday and Thursday...Upper ridge finally starts to make a slow move to the east by mid-week, crossing directly over the Four Corners. If this model solution holds true, then afternoon high temps will cool by at least 10 degrees if not more, and precip chances jump up into the categorical range for the higher terrain, with scattered chances spreading across the plains. Area burn scars will need to be monitored closely both days. Moore

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1122 AM MDT Thu Aug 6 2026

VFR conditions anticipated across the forecast area over the next 24 hrs, including the three main TAF sites of KCOS, KPUB and KALS. Winds at KCOS and KPUB will become E-SE this afternoon, with occasional gusts to around 20 kts. Haze and patchy smoke will persist for the much of the area, though significant visibility restrictions are not expected at this time.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ220-223. Red Flag Warning from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Friday for COZ222-228.