textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Cold front passage later tonight will bring colder temperatures Friday and Saturday.

- Locally strong gusty winds and critical fire weather conditions expected Friday morning and afternoon across Kiowa and Prowers counties.

- Chances for measurable precip during the next 7 days over the fcst area is low, but some light showers occasionally possible.

UPDATE

Issued at 1014 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

Cold front came through with stronger mixing than data initially predicted. Have hoisted High Wind Warnings early, and added southern El Paso (Colorado Springs area) and Otero Counties to them as well. Will evaluate the need for any further extensions, as well as extensions of tomorrow's Red Flag Warnings, with the overnight forecast package.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 200 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

Currently...High pressure aloft remains across the western third of the country, while a strengthening low pressure system begins to drop south out of Canada into the northern plains. This is producing brisk north to northwest flow aloft across Colorado, with some stronger gusts being realized in the normal gap-flow spots near the mts. There have been some very spotty critical fire weather conditions cropping up today as well, but once again they have not been widespread enough to warrant any highlights. Temps as of 1 PM have climbed into the 40s and 50s for the high valleys, and upper 50s to near 70F for the eastern plains.

Tonight...Little change to the overall upper pattern, but models indicate that the upper jet will be situated over the Northern Rockies and south across Colorado. In addition, a lobe of energy pushing through the flow aloft will cross CO, allowing a rather strong cold front to surge south across the Palmer Divide sometime around midnight. This front will reach the southern border by sunrise, ushering in strong and gusty northerly winds for much of the eastern plains. A few snowflakes are possible over Monument Hill and perhaps the higher elevations of Lake County, but no accumulation is expected. Plan on lows in the teens to lower 20s for the high valleys, single digits for the center of the San Luis Valley, and 20s across the plains.

Tomorrow...Persistent upper pattern remains, with models showing stronger wind flow for eastern CO into the central plains of the US. Though much of our eastern plains will be windy through the day, Kiowa and Prowers counties have the highest probability of seeing potentially damaging wind gusts. Therefore, went ahead and issued a High Wind Warning for those two counties from 8 AM until 5 PM. In addition, given such low dewpoints forecast across the east post- frontal, went ahead and hoisted a Red Flag Warning for both counties, Fire Zones 234 and 236, from 9 AM until 5 PM. Sustained 25 to 35 mph winds, with gusts as high as 60 mph, will create some nasty firewx conditions as RH levels drop to around 15%. As for high temps, behind the front temps will likely struggle into the 40s for most locations. Moore

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 302 AM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

Friday night will be cold with lows in the 10 to 15 degree range on the plains and negative single digits in the SLV. Some snow showers may occur on the plains.

Saturday...

This should be the coldest day of the fcst period. Winds will be less this day as compared to Friday, but will still be breezy in areas, especially over the far eastern plains. It will be dry but max temps will only be in the 30s, with temps maybe not reaching above freezing over the far eastern plains.

Sunday will warm up and it will be dry. Sunday will definitely be the nicer day of the weekend time period.

Another brief cool-off will occur on Monday, and once again we could see some passing insignificant showers, especially over the Palmer Divide region.

For the rest of the week expect unseasonably warm temps to continue and it will likely be dry.

Some potential for some accumulating precip may occur next weekend. \/Hodanish

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1014 PM MST Thu Jan 15 2026

VFR conditions are expected at KALS, KCOS, and KPUB through 24 hours. Strong winds are blowing through with the passing of the front at KCOS, with some gusty winds expected at KPUB. This should last a few hours, with winds weakening a bit into the early morning. Gusty winds will resume at the terminals after 18Z today, though gusts should stay closer to 25-30 knots or so.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning until 5 PM MST Friday for COZ085-089-095-096- 098. Red Flag Warning from 9 AM to 5 PM MST Friday for COZ234-236.