textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- A very hot day on tap across the forecast area today, with persistent elevated temperatures through the extended period.

- Daily shot of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms, with greater coverage expected starting Saturday.

- Increased flash flooding threat on area burn scars Saturday through Tuesday.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 1232 AM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Currently...Upper level ridge of high pressure is centered right over the Four Corners, while lingering evening convection has finally diminished. Temps as of midnight were in the 60s across the high valleys, and 60s and 70s for the plains, but overnight minimums are expected to drop into the 50s and 60s for most locations by daybreak.

Today and tonight...Upper high remains in place over the next 24 hrs, with the ridge axis extending north into the northern Rockies. Moisture trapped under the high will spark another round of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms, initially over the higher terrain, but models show that activity today will be more isolated to low-end scattered. Of course, any storms that do develop will still have the potential of producing periods of moderate to heavy rainfall, and steering flow will be light, so area burn scars will still need to be monitored. However, given the drier air in the lower levels, any convection that pushes off the higher terrain to the adjacent plains will likely just produce gusty winds. Today is expected to be the hottest day of the next 7 days, with highs in the mid 80s to around 90F for the high valleys, and mid 90s to 102F for the plains. In fact, forecast highs are running around 10 degrees above seasonal normals, and in some spots could tie record highs.

For today, Aug 21st:

Colorado Springs - Normal: 83F Record: 94F Forecast: 94F

Pueblo - Normal: 90F Record: 101F Forecast: 100F

Alamosa - Normal: 80F Record: 89F Forecast: 89F

Overnight low temps tonight are expected to drop to around 50F for the high valleys, and upper 50s to mid 60s for the plains.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 1232 AM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Looks like models have been fairly consistent is showing a slight shift in the upper high that has been parked over the region, leading to increased monsoonal moisture getting tapped through the extended period.

Saturday through Tuesday...An upper low pressure system starts to push into the Pacific NW starting Saturday, as the high over the Four Corners begins to shift to the east and flatten. This flattening opens the door for monsoonal moisture to creep back up across the Four Corners and into western CO. Meanwhile, the upper low to the north steadily moves east along the US/Canada border over the weekend through Tuesday before exiting. This low and the associated trough will provide the upper level support across the Rockies, tapping into increased available moisture for an elevated daily shot of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Activity will begin over the higher terrain by midday then spread to the adjacent plains through the late afternoon and evening. Current POPS are in the likely category for the mts, and scattered across the plains. Flash flooding threat for area burn scars will be elevated through this time due to the increased coverage and frequency of storms, but depending on timing of everything coming together Saturday may be a later show and not experience as much activity. However, Sunday and Monday will most likely be active days, and perhaps into Tuesday. One thing to note, some models are indicating and increased threat of stronger storms near the eastern border Sunday afternoon and evening, with abundant CAPE and 0-6 km bulk shear present. As for temps, plan on continued heat with highs each day in the 80s for the high valleys, and upper 80s to upper 90s for the plains.

Wednesday and Thursday...Long range models show the upper ridge axis shifting back to the west and near the Four Corners starting Wed, which would lead to decreasing precip chances and warming temps. However, NBM points to Wed being the coolest day of the extended with continued high precip chances, then a drying push for Thu. Stay tuned as trends will shift. Moore

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1105 PM MDT Thu Aug 20 2026

VFR conditions are expected at KALS, KCOS, and KPUB through 24 hours. Some showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout Friday afternoon, mainly over and near the higher terrain. Precip is not expected at KALS or KPUB at this time, though left VCSH in KALS due to scattered coverage in the valley with some possible outflow. A PROB30 group was added to KCOS after 21Z Friday, due to the potential for isolated to scattered convection over the Palmer Divide. Though rain is unlikely, there is higher confidence in brief outflow winds. Otherwise, winds remain mostly diurnal across the terminals, and generally below 15 knots.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.