textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Wintry weather continues today into tonight. Heavy, wet snow over and near the mountains, and rain showers for the far eastern plains.

- Heaviest snow over the southeast mountains and the Pikes Peak Region.

- Damage to trees and power lines will be possible due to heavy snow.

- Hard freeze expected over the plains Weds night into Thurs morning.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 1248 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

Wintry weather will continue across our area throughout the day today and into this evening, thanks to the merging of some passing upper troughs. With cold overnight temps, most areas have already received accumulating snowfall, with more on the way today.

After a very brief lull this morning, a northerly surge will move down from the Palmer Divide and over the eastern plains. This will trigger more widespread precipitation that will linger in our area for the remainder of this evening. Snow amounts have remained generally consistent with the latest model data, with the heaviest amounts expected over areas with the best upslope and orographic lift. This mainly includes our southeast mountains, the Palmer Divide, and all of Teller County/Pikes Peak. The Palmer will see an additional 4-6 inches of so by the end of the day, while our higher elevation areas could be seeing between 8 and 12 inches. Looking further east, with temperatures climbing into the low-40s over portions of the plains later today, some areas will switch to rain for a while, with an inch or less generally expected east of the I- 25 corridor. To the contrary, snow totals right along the mountains/plains interface will be very tricky today. With quick changes in temperature with elevation, coupled with persistent upslope in some areas, snow gradients along the east-facing slopes of the Wets, Sangres, and the Pikes Peak Region will be rather tight. Expect portions of the slopes to receive a good 4-8 inches of wet, heavy snow, while totals just a few miles east could be 2 inches or less. Same goes for the Palmer Divide; higher totals over the top of the Divide with lower totals heading down into the Colorado Springs area.

As the system tracks to our east later tonight, clouds will start to clear and temperatures will plummet into early Thursday morning. The latest forecast puts lows in the 20s across the plains, where a Freeze Warning will be in effect. Meanwhile, the high valleys will sink into the teens.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/

Issued at 1248 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

Warmer and drier conditions set in Thursday-Friday as we transition in between systems. Upper low will dive to our south as a broad ridge builds in over the western CONUS. Highs will warm into the 60s on Thursday, and into the 70s on Friday. Little to no precip is expected, other than an isolated shower or two over the mountains.

Models are in decent agreement with regards to the evolution of the broader synoptic pattern this weekend. With the ridge building overhead, a weak embedded wave will pass over our region. As it does, temperatures will decrease between Saturday, our hottest day in the forecast, and Sunday as a front moves through. Temperatures then look to quickly rebound next week as dry conditions persist.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 541 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

KCOS and KPUB: MVFR to IFR conditions are expected at both TAF sites through the morning hours, with conditions steadily improving to VFR conditions by mid to late afternoon today. Snow and rain/snow mix will continue this morning, becoming all rain for KPUB during the afternoon, and more showery in nature for KCOS during the early afternoon. Visibilities and ceilings will remain lowered with the precipitation in place. As conditions dry out this afternoon, a return to VFR visibilities and ceilings is expected. Beyond all of that, breezy winds this morning will lessen during the afternoon hours, and become more variable overnight into Thursday morning.

KALS: VFR conditions are expected for a majority of this TAF period, though a brief window of MVFR to IFR conditions is expected early afternoon with showers. Showers will increase within the San Luis Valley late morning, with showers anticipated to impact the TAF site early afternoon, bringing quick reductions in visibilities and ceiling heights, and a quick shift and increase in winds. Outside of that though, conditions are expected to remain dry, with winds remaining around and less than 10 knots. Low to mid level clouds will persist through much of the day, though will start to decrease in coverage by late afternoon to early evening.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM MDT this evening for COZ058>060-063-068-076. Winter Weather Advisory until midnight MDT tonight for COZ072- 074-078-079-087. Winter Storm Warning until midnight MDT tonight for COZ073-075- 080>082. Freeze Warning from midnight tonight to 8 AM MDT Thursday for COZ083>089-093>099. Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM MDT this evening for COZ084.