textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Critical fire weather conditions expected for much of the area today, with the potential for another high fire danger day on Friday.

- Shower chances increase area-wide Saturday night into Monday, with snow possible at times over the higher terrain, and isolated thunderstorms across portions of the plains.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 136 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Currently...Upper low pressure system was centered over the Intermountain West, gradually pushing northeast across the northern Rockies and producing strong westerly flow across Colorado. Spotty gusty winds continue across the forecast area as of 1 AM, but for the most part winds are decoupling and RH levels have slowly risen. As of 1 AM, temps remained mild with 40s to around 50F for the high valleys, and 50s and 60s for the plains.

Today and Tonight...Latest models are showing the upper low to the north tracking even further north, with a gradual northeast movement. This track will restrict shower activity to the more northern sections of the area, with just isolated coverage expected across the central mts and Palmer Divide through the afternoon. An isolated high-based shower may push across the far eastern plains late aftn to early evening, with the most likely outcome being wind gusts. A weak cold front will push south across the Palmer Divide late afternoon, bringing a north wind shift and keeping temps cooler than readings from Wednesday. Plan on highs today in the mid 50s to lower 60s for the high valleys, and mid 60s to mid 70s for the plains. Given less precip expected, along with persistent gusty westerly winds, fire weather concerns will again be an issue today. Please see Fire Weather section below for more details. Overnight lows tonight, with very dry air under clearing skies, are forecast to cool into the 20s for the high valleys, and 30s across the plains.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 136 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Friday...The low center to the north will be centered just north of the US and Canada border on Friday, with broad westerly flow aloft across the Four Corners region. It is expected to remain dry once again for the area, with high temps about 5 degrees above readings on Thursday. Gusty winds will be more spotty, but felt the potential is there for another high fire danger day so went ahead and issued a Fire Weather Watch. More on that in the Fire Weather section. Plan on highs in the 60s for the high valleys, and upper 60s to upper 70s for the plains.

Saturday through Monday...Longwave trough begins to develop over the western third of the country Saturday, with one shortwave over the Pacific NW joining with another low center pushing across the CA coast. This whole messy conglomeration of upward forcing then tracks across the Great Basin on Sunday, brushing by the Four Corners to the north. Models hint at some widespread light precip with this starting Sat night, being the heaviest through Sunday, then tapering off through Monday, with snow for the higher terrain, and convective showers across the plains. Specifics are difficult right now, and model past performance would suggest another jog to the north that would cheat the region of some beneficial precip. Therefore, will remain hopeful and continue to monitor. As for temps, slightly cooler all three days though Monday will be the coolest day of the forecast, with afternoon readings actually near normal.

Tuesday and Wednesday...Long range continues to look unsettled, with models indicating a longwave trough in place over the western third of the country. Within this trough, two lobes of energy will develop, one off the CA coastline, the other over ID and MT. These two will then track east and merge mid-week, producing another round of potentially widespread precipitation for the forecast area by Wednesday. Temps at this time will still remain 5 to 10 degrees above normal, so stay tuned. Moore

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 503 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

VFR conditions through the next 24 hours at all three terminals (KALS, KCOS, KPUB). Winds will be the main issue from mid morning into this evening, as a cold front turns winds northwesterly. Gusts in excess of 30-35 kts are forecast this afternoon, along with passing mid and high clouds. Winds will decrease by late evening at all terminals.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 136 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Critical fire weather conditions expected today as west winds at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph, develop through the afternoon and combine with single digit RH levels. As precip chances start to erode and pull to the north, decided to add Fire Zone 220, Lake and Chaffee counties, to the Red Flag today. Most likely high fire danger areas there will be the valley floor, affecting Salida and Buena Vista. Looking ahead to Friday, less of a sure thing as wind gusts will be a a bit more spotty through the afternoon. Very dry conditions and receptive fuels remain, so decided to go ahead and issue the Fire Weather Watch for much of the area. WFO BOU joined with a few zones to the north, but will let later crews get some more model runs in and perhaps make a more informed decision.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Red Flag Warning from 11 AM this morning to 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ220>222-224>237. Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening for COZ220>222-224>237.