textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Record breaking max temps likely today, tomorrow and Thursday.

- Critical Fire Weather conditions for parts of the area tomorrow and for most of the area Thursday.

- Much cooler Friday most areas (Still maybe some fire wx concerns parts of San Luis Valley Friday).

- Cooler (but still unseasonably warm) Saturday into next week, but shower and thunderstorm chances will be ramping up.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 133 PM MDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Rest of Today...

Main weather concern today is for record daily high temperatures to be broken by early this afternoon. (see climate data below). Temperatures at noontime were in the 80s across most of the plains and upper 60s in the San Luis Valley. By late this afternoon max temps will likely be in the mid to upper 80s across the plains with around 80 in El Paso county, and upper 70s San Luis Valley.

Fortunately, winds will be relatively light today and widespread fire weather conditions are not anticipated due to the weaker 20 foot surface winds.

Tomorrow...

Temperatures will continue to increase. Widespread upper 80s to lower 90s are expected across most of the plains with lower 80s across the valleys. Winds will increase somewhat across the region and marginal critical fire weather conditions are expected. highest confidence at this time for Red Flag conditions occurring will be over the San Luis Valley and Fremont county, and a Red Flag warning has been issued for these areas. A fire weather watch remains in effect for the southern mtns and teller county as confidence at this time is not as great. I will allow later shifts to review evening weather guidance and let them decide to either upgrade or downgrade the fire weather watch.

Guidance is showing a low end probability for some shower across the Pikes Peak region and southern mtns late tomorrow afternoon and early evening.

LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/

Issued at 133 PM MDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Thursday...

Widespread Red Flag conditions will be possible/likely on this day. Confidence has increased regarding the time of the frontal passage as the DESI guidance is now showing very little spread in the max temps across most of the plains, and it is indicating that the frontal passage will be later in the day vs earlier in the day. Prefrontal winds will be modest, but will be above Red Flag criteria most areas. For this reason a Fire weather watch has been issued for nearly all of the forecast area. The only areas where there is NOT a watch is in N El Paso, Kiowa and the San Juan mountain region.

All 3 primary stations will likely once again break record high temperatures for the date.

At this time it appears that the front will come across during the early to mid afternoon time period. Temperatures will quickly warm up Thursday morning and Red Flag conditions may begin relatively early. I should note that even after the front goes by, Red Flag conditions may occur for an hour or two after the front passes by. More importantly, there will likely be a sharp wind shift during the middle of the day, and this may hamper fire fighting efforts regarding any current burns that are ongoing.

Once again, there will be a low end chance of some shower across teh Pikes Peak region, central mtns and southern mtns Thursday late afternoon and evening.

friday...

It will be much cooler nearly all areas. Mid 50s will likely be the max temps for the high temps. The brunt of the cooler air will not get into the SLV, and max temps will likely be around 70F. There will be a bit better chance of shower, especially along the east slopes of the southern mtns during the afternoon.

There will be a slight chance of critical fire weather conditions in the southern parts of the SLV on this day.

Weekend into Mid Week...

Temps will quickly recover by Saturday and we will once again be much above normal. The warmest day during this period will likely be Sunday when max temps will be in the 80s to around 90 over the plains and 70s in the SLV. Some spotty critical fire weather conditions will once again be possible during this time frame, although temps will slowly trend downward starting Monday into mid week. More importantly, noticeable moisture will be on the increase as several weak to moderate mid level disturbances moving in on a subtropical jet will move across the region. Confidence is on the higher side that (at least) the mountains will see some beneficial precipitation starting Sunday and lasting through mid week. I should also note that the CPC extended fcst products are expecting precip chances to be "above normal" for our region. \/Hodanish

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 543 PM MDT Tue Mar 24 2026

VFR conditions are expected over KALS, KCOS, and KPUB throughout the forecast period. Surface winds directions will be diurnally driven throughout.

CLIMATE

Issued at 133 PM MDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Record High Temperatures

Today, March 24th...

Pueblo: 82 in 2012 Colorado Springs: 74 in 2012 Alamosa: 72 in 2012 March 25th..

Pueblo: 81 in 2004 Colorado Springs: 75 in 2012 Alamosa: 73 in 2012

March 26th...

Pueblo: 84 in 2022 and 2004 Colorado Springs: 81 in 1971 Alamosa: 73 in 1971

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Fire Weather Watch from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening for COZ220>222-224-225-227>233-235>237. Red Flag Warning from noon to 7 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ222- 224. Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening for COZ221-225.