textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Getting windy later this AM into the afternoon generally east of a line from Ramah to Las Animas to east of Springfield; gusts to 65 mph mainly in Kiowa and northern Prowers.

- In windiest areas, Blowing dust likely, dust storm warnings may be needed later today.

- Red Flag warnings in effect for parts of the far eastern plains.

- Colder today and tomorrow.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 258 AM MST Fri Jan 16 2026

Currently...

Winds got quite gusty when the front went through earlier this evening, but have subsided significantly. Temps have cooled off most areas of the plains with readings mostly in the 20s with some 30s over the far eastern plains. where the front has not penetrated into the higher terrain, temps were still in the 40s. Most mtn areas were in teh tens and 20s. Some low clouds were noted on top of the Palmer Divide.

Today...

Main concern is the strong wind potential later this AM continuing into this afternoon. Strong jet will push across the High Plains and with strong cold air advection just above the surface, the lower levels of the atmosphere will be nearly dry Adiabatic and this in turn will mix down the strong winds which were located in the lower/mid levels of the atmosphere. I expect we will easily see gusts in the 55 to 65 mph range, especially area east of a line from from Ramah to Las Animas to east of Springfield. the strongest winds will likely occur over central and eastern Kiowa county and northern Prowers counties. Higher elevations of the mtns, especially the central mtns and Pikes Peak, will also see strong winds (but these winds should be below high wind criteria). It will be breezy at times over the I-25 corridor, but winds should not be strong.

Given the strong winds over northeast Colorado pushing south into central and southeast Colorado, I would not be too surprised if we see quite a bit of blowing dust over the far eastern plains, and Dust Storm warnings may be needed later today.

Fire weather will also be a concern. RH value may reach critical values (less than 15%), however winds will be quite strong over parts of the plains today. Ambient temps today will be quite cool with only 40s for highs. Temps in northern El Paso county will likely remain in the 30s.

Tonight...

Once the sun sets the winds will likely quickly diminish over the plains. Winds will remain gusty in the central mtns. There will be a chance of some light snow showers over the plains tonight, no accumulations are anticipated. Min temps tonight will fall into the tens across the plains with single digits in the San Luis Valley. Mtns will be cold with temps ranging from -10 to +10.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 258 AM MST Fri Jan 16 2026

Tomorrow...

Continued cold with somewhat less winds. The windiest areas will continue to be over regions where the strong winds will be located today. Temps may not reach freezing over the Palmer Divide and Raton Mesa region tomorrow, with 30s in the lower Ark rvr valley of the plains. Larger valleys will be in teh 30s with 10s and 20s mtns.

Sunday will be much nicer with temps warming into the 50s most of the plains with 40s valleys. Dry weather will continue.

Monday we will see another surge of cooler air come into the region, but things will recover for the remainder of the week with mainly 50s plains and 40s valleys. Desi statistical guidance shows a bit better chance of some precip next weekend.

\/Hodanish

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 424 AM MST Fri Jan 16 2026

VFR conditions are likely during the next 24 hours at all 3 taf sites, KPUB, KALS and KCOS. There may be some sct030 at KCOS early this morning, and cant rule out some brief bkn030,

Winds will generally be from a northwesterly component today at all 3 taf sites, and gusts to 30 knt will be possible at KCOS and KPUB from late this morning into the afternoon. Winds are expected to decrease after sunset.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning until 5 PM MST this afternoon for COZ095-096- 098. Red Flag Warning from 9 AM this morning to 5 PM MST this afternoon for COZ234-236.