textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Mild day once again over the region.

- Some more snow over the central mtns tonight

- An active pattern remains in place through the extended, with off and on chances for mountain snows and above normal temperatures on the plains.

- Colder temperatures look to move in around the middle of next week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 304 AM MST Thu Dec 26 2024

Currently...

A mid level N-S oriented trough of low pressure was located over the plains early this morning. Some light warm air advection showers were noted over the CO/KS border while some wrap around precip was located just east of the I-25 corridor region. This wrap around precip brought 0.04" of liquid to Pueblo since midnight. Some fog was noted over the eastern plains and occasional reports of some fog were noted over the San Luis Valley.

Ambient temps early this AM over the region were in the M30s to L40s over the plains with tens in the larger valleys. Mtns and other smaller valleys were in the 10s and 20s.

Today...

Mid level trough will continue east and will be replaced by a brief, mid level ridge this afternoon, and then will be followed by another trough in the quick moving flow by late in the day. Precip over the plains will move east and should end over the region prior to sunrise, Areas of clouds will linger, but should clear out by mid to late morning. However, by late in the day the next disturbance will be moving into the western sections of the region and clouds will once again be on the increase. Not much change in sfc pressure today so winds will generally be light over the entire fcst area, with the exception of the mtn tops were gusts to 30 mph will be possible, especially over the central mtns and all of the Sangres.

As for precip, snow showers will once again move into the CONTDVD by late in the day.

Temps today will once again be relatively mild with mostly 50s over the plains and 40s larger valleys; 20s and 30s higher elevations.

Tonight...

Although some snow will occur across the Divide through tonight, the brunt of it will occur across the central mtns, as typically the case with WNW mid level flow. Most of the heavier snow will occur during the early morning time period, and 2 to 4 inches of snow across the central mtns generally north of Cottonwood pass is likely.

Additionally, some LIGHT rain and snow showers will be possible across the plains tonight, mainly north of a line from Walsenburg to Springfield.

Min temps tonight will fall into the 20s to around 30 plains with generally 10s across the valleys and mtns. \/Hodanish

LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 304 AM MST Thu Dec 26 2024

Friday..

Models push the Thursday night trough to our east early on Friday, helping to dry out most of our plains locations throughout Friday morning. Another wave looks to come through right on its heels though, which will keep light to moderate at times snowfall in place over the Continental Divide throughout Friday and into the early morning hours of Saturday. Most mountain locations look to keep snowfall amounts fairly light through this period, though our central mountains could see around 5 to 7 inches of new snow by Saturday morning. Snowfall rates don't look to be overly intense, but gusty winds could lead to blowing snow and degraded visibility at times, especially for mountain passes. Monarch Pass on Friday evening into the overnight hours looks especially windy as the jet begins to pass overhead. Daytime highs on Friday look to be close to Thursday for most locations, which is around 4 to 8 degrees above normal for most of us. Highs look to remain in the low to mid 50s on the plains, with mid 40s for mountain valleys.

Saturday..

The Friday evening wave pushes past us quickly, bringing snowfall chances to an end for all but our central mountains on Saturday. Another inch or so of new snow will be possible across the central mountains on Saturday, with dry conditions prevailing elsewhere as a bit of a lull sets in ahead of our next system. Daytime highs climb a few degrees highs than Friday, with highs in the mid to upper 50s on the plains, and continued highs in the 40s for mountain valleys. Gusty winds remain in place on Saturday as well, especially for northern portions of the forecast area. Gusts to 35 mph will be possible over the high country on Saturday afternoon, with gusts to around 20-25 mph likely over our lower elevations.

Sunday Onwards..

A stronger system looks to roll through on Sunday and into Monday, spreading stronger winds and another round of snow chances into the high country. Both EPS and GEFS members suggest that a strong nw to se oriented jet will pass over us Sunday night into Monday, spreading strong winds into our area. cool down looks likely heading into the New Year, with another potentially more impactful system possible around the middle of next week. Snow chances remain tied to the mountains through this period, as strong downsloping is likely to prevent any precip on our plains. Sunday will be quite warm, with much of our plains climbing into the 60s thanks to downsloping and abundant sunshine. We cool down a few degrees Monday as winds weaken, and snow chances dwindle for most of the high country for Monday into Tuesday as well. A stronger midweek system continues to appear likely, though its track and amplitude are still not well resolved. Cooler temperatures for Tuesday seem likely, though timing and coverage of any precip chances remains largely unknown at this time.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 411 AM MST Thu Dec 26 2024

Some lingering low level moisture over the region may lead to brief periods of fog and low clouds at the 3 taf sites, KPUB, KALS and KCOS, early this morning. VFR conditions will then develop through the remainder of the forecast period. Winds will be light during the next 24 hours.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.