textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Late season snow storm will affect a large part of the region this evening through tomorrow; will impact Wed AM commute especially in greater Pikes Peak region.

- Heaviest snow in the higher elevations of the Pikes Peak region (generally above 6500 feet) and the higher peaks of the West and Sangre De Cristo mountains.

- Power failures and tree damage will be possible. Don't park your car under or near a tree!

- HARD FREEZE on the plains likely Wed night/Thu AM.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 126 PM MDT Tue May 5 2026

A late season winter weather event will affect the region during the next 36 hours or so. The brunt of the snow will not start to fall until the trough axis moves across the region and the lower level wind flow takes on a northeasterly component. This trough axis will start to cross the region late this evening into the overnight hours and move across the entire region by mid morning tomorrow. The brunt of the heavier snow will affect the main population centers towards during the earl AM hours and push south tomorrow morning. with this said. periods of snow will be possible starting later this afternoon over northern Teller county and along the Palmer Divide.

Several changes have been made to the forecast. The San Juans along with the lower elevations of Lake county have been added to the snow advisory. The winter weather advisories for the upper elevations of the Wet Mountains and Sangre De Cristo mountains have been upgraded to Winter Storm Warnings. The Freeze watch for Wed nite has been upgraded to a Freeze warning.

Snowfall totals over the population centers should be in the 4 to 10 inch range in N El Paso, 1 to 4" in Colorado Springs, and 4 to 10 inches in Teller county, with much higher amounts over the Pikes Peak Massif. Elsewhere, 2 to 8 inches will occur in the southern mountain valleys with the tops of the southern mountains seeing up to a foot and a half of snow. Lower elevations of the Upper Ark rvr valley should see 3 to 6 inches of snow, while the central mtns will see 4 to 8 inches of snow. It should be noted that during early tomorrow morning the snow could be coming down rather heavy, impacting visibility. Areas above 6500 feet will likely see the snow accumulate on the roadways tomorrow morning when the snowfall will be at its' heaviest.

The San Luis valley is not expected to any significant accumulations on the valley floor. The east slopes of the San Juans may see 4 to 12 inches of late season snow.

Pueblo should see some snow on the grassy areas, with 1 to 2 inches not out of the question. The Southern I-25 corridor region could see 2 to 5 inches of snow, with locally higher amounts over Raton Pass during the day tomorrow.

A hard freeze is likely to occur over the plains Wed night into Thu AM. Widespread temps in the mid 20s are expected over the plains and this is supported by the DESI statistical guidance showing very low spreads centered around the mid 20s across the southeast plains.

LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/

Issued at 126 PM MDT Tue May 5 2026

By Thursday, SPRING returns again with dry conditions and max temps in the M60s to M70s across the plains.

Another disturbance will roll down in the NW flow aloft bringing a chance of showers to the region this weekend. After that, summer arrives with 80s and 90s across the lower elevations. \/Hodanish

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1152 AM MDT Tue May 5 2026

Active period expected across all of the TAF sites, with rain and snow along with reduced vis, coinciding with MVFR and IFR ceilings occurring.

Have observed drizzle or light rain begin to take shape across the Pikes Peak region at the start of the period, mainly affecting COS at this time. This will likely continue for the remainder of the afternoon, with rain remaining the only precip type at this time. Additional showery development occurs later this afternoon, with this likely moving across PUB and with ALS staying mainly dry. While the risk of thunderstorms looks low this afternoon, did maintain the PROB30 at PUB. Will continue to monitor the need for any mention of thunder today, as again, chances are low. The MVFR ceilings in place at PUB and COS will persist, with COS observing lower IFR ceilings at times.

Steadier rain settles in later this evening, though may be rather light at times. Ceilings don't really improve for COS and PUB, with additional downward trends likely this evening and into the overnight hours. ALS remains dry for most of the night and even into towards the end of the period, with VFR conditions continuing. Does look like there is a low chance for a rain snow mix late tonight, but confidence is low. Higher chances for showers returns for ALS right at the end of the period. Primarily rain will continue for PUB later tonight, though snow may mix in at times. COS should see a switchover to all snow around midnight tonight, with snow then continuing through the period. IFR ceilings will likely continue for both COS and PUB through the end of the period and will monitor for periods of even lower ceilings.

A period of gusty winds will occur at all sites this afternoon with lighter winds then expected through the period. The exception will be at COS when a wind shift to the north occurs later tonight, and then with wind speeds and gusts increasing through Wednesday morning.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ058- 060-063-076. Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 6 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ059. Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ068. Winter Weather Advisory until midnight MDT Wednesday night for COZ072-074-078-079-087. Winter Storm Warning until midnight MDT Wednesday night for COZ073-075-080>082. Freeze Warning from midnight Wednesday night to 8 AM MDT Thursday for COZ083>089-093>099. Winter Storm Warning from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ084.