textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- High fire danger rest of today for the Central Mountains due to gusty winds and low humidity values.

- Warmer Friday, spotty critical fire weather conditons in the interior mtns and San Luis Valley.

- Widespread critical fire weather conditions over all mountains, SLV, and most of I-25 corridor region Saturday; hot over the plains (100s). Isolated strong storms possible far eastern Plains.

- Monday through mid week: Dry and Warm mountains with critical fire weather conditions possible, Somewhat cooler with a chance of storms over the plains.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 1251 PM MDT Thu Jun 18 2026

This afternoon through Tomorrow...

Critical fire weather conditions will be possible over the central mountains this afternoon due to low RH values and breezy conditions, otherwise it will be mostly sunny over the region. Isolated storms could occur over the southern San Juans later this afternoon/early evening.

Tonight...

Dry and mostly clear. Temps falling into the 50s plains and 40s San Luis Valley.

Tomorrow...

Slightly better chance of storms over the southern mountains, and San Juans with an outside chance of a storm over the Pikes Peak region, otherwise warmer tomorrow with mid 90s plains and mid 80s valleys. Spotty critical fire weather conditions possible SLV and central mtn regions in the afternoon.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1251 PM MDT Thu Jun 18 2026

Saturday...

A mid level trough will be approaching the region this day. This will set up a lee trough over the region by afternoon. West of this boundary breezy west wind will occur and with compressional warming, it will get hot once again. For this reason, a Fire Weather Watch is in effect for most of the region this day. Farther east, a dryline is likely going to set up over the far eastern plains and this in turn may lead to a few thunderstorms developing, in which one or two storms could be on the strong side. SPC has eastern 2/3rds of the plains in Marginal/Slight risk.

Sunday into mid week...

In general, it will remain dry and hot over the mountains and valleys, and the plains will have a chance of showers and thunderstorms each day.

Given the hot dry conditions over the mountains, Critical Fire weather conditions will be possible each day, with areas along the Continental Divide and SLV having the best chance of critical fire weather conditions.

Over the plains, modest NW flow will develop at the mid levels, and this will allow for weak surface boundaries to move over the plains which in turn will allow for persistent upslope flow to occur. This meteorological regime will keep the plains unstable, and showers and storms will be possible most days. Given the favorable shear and instability, rotating storms will be possible during the afternoon and evening time periods.

Overall, the deterministic pattern along with the statistical DESI guidance from Sunday onward look favorable for convective precip over the plains. \/Hodanish

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1124 AM MDT Thu Jun 18 2026

VFR conditions are anticipated during the next 24 hours at all 3 taf sites, KPUB, KALS and KCOS. Surface Winds will be light and diurnally driven.

Some thunder will be generally south of KALS later this afternoon but is expected to be too far away from KALS to warrant putting it in the TAF.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1251 PM MDT Thu Jun 18 2026

Red Flag Warning is in effect today for the central mountains.

For Friday, Spotty critical fire weather conditions will be possible over the central mountains and San Luis Valley.

For Saturday, Critical fire weather conditions will be more widespread over all of the mountains, the valleys and the plains mainly along the I-25 corridor region. It will be very hot once again over the region on Saturday with downslope breezy westerly winds.

From Sunday onward through mid week, critical fire weather conditions will be possible over all of the mountains and valleys through this period, RH values will be critical each day, and winds will be gusty at times. No precipitation is expected over the higher terrain through this period.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ220. Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through Saturday evening for COZ220>225-227>233.