textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong winds will gradually decrease later this morning; strongest winds in mtns and east slopes of mountainous areas

- Red Flag Warnings for far eastern plains today, Fire Weather Watch tomorrow for parts of the plains.

- Pattern change likely towards Christmas over the Western CONUS

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 146 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

Currently...

Although winds have come down somewhat over the region early this AM, some areas were still gusting in the 40 to 60 mph range. It was still very mild over most of the region with 40s over most of the plains and 20s and 30s over the mtns. Webcams and observers indicate wind driven light snow was occurring over the central mtn region.

Today...

Winds will continue to be strong, mainly in the mtns and east slope of the mtns through mid morning. by late morning into the afternoon, winds over the mtns will gradually decrease, however over the far southeastern plains winds will pick up. RH values will decrease over the far eastern plains and RED FLAG conditions will become likely as winds will be gusting to 40 to 60 mph with RH values in the 12 to 17% range. The strongest winds over the far eastern plains will likely occur around the noontime hour, and then slowly decrease.

As for sensible weather today, Max temps will be cooler with highs generally in the U40s t0 L50s plains, M40s in the San Luis Valley and 20s and 30s mtns. Snow showers in the central mtns will end by mid morning, but may start to pick up once again towards sunset.

Tonight...

Snow showers will be possible in Lake county, otherwise expect dry conditions over the fcst area. Wind in the mountains will once again pick up, but will not be as strong as what we had in the last 24 hours. Wind gusts to 50 to 60 mph will be possible in the mountaintop by sunrise Friday morning.

Friday...

Dry and breezy conditions are once again expected across the region today with very warm conditions likely (M70s parts of plains). Record high temperatures will be passable. With the breezy to windy conditions likely, Red Flag conditions will once again be possible, and a FIRE WEATHER Watch has been issued for parts of the plains for Friday. It is possible that this Watch may need to be expanded in later forecast updates. \/Hodanish

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 146 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

Perusing DESI guidance, temperatures are expected to remain above normal through the next 7 days. A bit of a cooldown is likely Sunday, but temperatures will once again be 15-20 degrees or so above normal through Christmas. Although we may see a few periods of light snow across the central mtns, no appreciable accumulations are anticipated.

Beyond Christmas, there appears to be signals in the longer term guidance that the flow pattern will shift to more southwesterly as broad troughieness develops over the Western CONUS, and this will finally bring a better chance of precipitation to the mountains after the Christmas Holiday. \/Hodanish

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 424 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

VFR conditions are likely during the next 24 hours at all 3 taf sites, KPUB, KALS and KCOS.

For KALS, there may be some wind shear issues at the beginning of the forecast period.

For KCOS. some gusty winds will be possible early in the forecast period. winds will eventually go upslope around 1800 UTC today.

For KPUB, light winds expected, although we could see a brief gusts at the very beginning of the forecast period.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning until 7 AM MST this morning for COZ058-060- 061-076>088. Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday afternoon for COZ226>232-235. Red Flag Warning from 11 AM this morning to 5 PM MST this afternoon for COZ234>237.