textproduct: Pueblo

KEY MESSAGES

- Damaging winds possible across portions of the high country and I-25 Corridor this evening and overnight. Blowing snow is expected across the central mountains, as well as patchy blowing dust for the lower elevations.

- High Fire Danger to continue across the plains until 6 PM this evening, then redevelop along the eastern border Thursday afternoon. Elevated fire weather conditions possible again for Friday on the plains.

- Brief cool down Thursday, then very warm Friday and Saturday before another minor cool off on Sunday. Quick peak at the holiday week from Monday onward suggests warm and dry weather continuing.

UPDATE

Issued at 407 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

Added northern Fremont County to the High Wind Warning. Multiple observations with gusts 90 mph or higher have been reported. The going High Wind Warning looks good, with widespread reports already of 60 plus mph gusts so far. Mozley

SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 200 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

Currently...Busy day today with lots of moving parts. Upper system tracking east along the northern MT border, and the associated upper jet carving up the southern end of this system, was starting to produce strong and gusty west winds across the higher elevations and adjacent plains this afternoon. Widespread gusts of 45-55 mph were being reported at higher sites, with 30-40 mph at multiple lower elevation sites. Temps as of 1 PM have warmed into the mid 40s to mid 50s for the high valleys, and 60s to lower 70s for the plains. Pueblo is actually the cool spot so far at 60F since the lower levels have not mixed out yet, but stronger west winds and 10 degree warmer air is just 10 miles to the west.

Tonight...Upper system to the north continues pushing east tonight and dips to the southeast, while the upper jet with a 175 kt core noses into central CO. This will cause of a number of things. First, widespread strong and possibly damaging winds across the higher elevations as well as the I-25 Corridor, with the most favorable time window lasting from approx 3 PM until 8 PM. Gusts to 80 mph for the mts, and 60 mph for the lower elevations, are expected, though some hi-res guidance is showing higher gusts. A secondary round of possible damaging wind could occur due to mt wave dynamics early tomorrow morning in the 4 AM to 7 Am time frame, so went ahead and extended the High Wind Warning until 7 AM for all areas.

Second, 2-5 inches of blowing and drifting snow across the central mts will be possible, and with such strong winds, near white-out conditions are a definite possibility. Care should taken if travel in these areas are necessary tonight.

Third, ongoing Red Flag Warning will continue until 6 PM. Though the winds will still be strong at that time, temperatures should be cooling by then allowing for relative humidity levels to climb.

Finally, the strong winds this evening and overnight will produce areas of blowing dust, especially in those areas across the plains that perhaps did not see some of that beneficial moisture from the snow a couple weeks ago.

Plan on overnight minimums in the 20s to around 30F for the high valleys, teens in the heart of the San Luis Valley, and upper 20s to upper 30s for the plains.

A surface cold front drops south across the Palmer Divide after midnight tonight, setting the stage for tomorrow.

Thursday...The upper low wraps up tightly as it tracks across the Dakotas and into MN, keeping windy conditions in place for the eastern plains. Brisk and gusty north to northwest winds are forecast across the plains, though the strongest winds will be closer to the eastern border. Though cooler thanks to the cold front, conditions will still be dry, so decided to issue a Red Flag Warning for Kiowa, Bent, Prowers and Baca counties from 11 AM until 5 PM. Held off on a High Wind highlight since the wind speeds should remain below warning criteria. Also, just like Wed night, went ahead and mentioned patchy blowing dust for the east due to the forecast winds. Plan on highs in the 40s for the high valleys, and mid 40s to lower 50s for the plains. Moore

LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 210 AM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

Warm air returns on Friday under brisk wly flow aloft and rising mid-level temperatures, and many lower elevations will reach the 60s/70s for maxes by late day. Lee surface trough on the plains and strong flow aloft (30-40 kts at 700mb) suggest afternoon winds will become gusty and strong, leading to another day of elevated fire weather conditions on the plains. Dewpoints do rise slightly back into the teens and 20s, which will make minimum humidity marginal once again, so will hold off on any highlights, though suspect deeply mixed areas south of the Arkansas River will be at least close to critical for much of the day. Similar set-up for Sat, though weak front backs westward across the plains in the afternoon, shaving a few degf off of max temps and helping limit fire danger slightly. Central mountains could see some snow showers Sat as wave brushes by to the north, though any accumulations will be light. After a cooler day on Sunday, warm, dry and breezy weather returns for much of the holiday week, as broad upper ridge migrates from the Rockies into the central plains through the period.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 502 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

KCOS and KPUB: VFR conditions are expected over the next 24 hours. Strong winds this evening will slowly begin to decrease heading into the overnight hours, with lighter and more diurnally driven winds returning tomorrow afternoon. Otherwise, dry winds and pockets of high level clouds are expected through this TAF period.

KALS: VFR conditions are expected over the next 24 hours. Gusty winds this evening are expected to lessen heading into the overnight hours. With that said, low level wind shear is expected to be in place as a strong jet streak passes over. Otherwise, dry winds and pockets of high level clouds are expected through this TAF period.

PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning until 7 AM MST Thursday for COZ058-060-061- 076>088. Red Flag Warning until 6 PM MST this evening for COZ222- 226>237. Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 5 PM MST Thursday for COZ234>237.