Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO
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618 FXUS65 KPUB 092127 AFDPUB Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 227 PM MST Sat Nov 9 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Clear and chilly overnight, some patchy fog possible San Luis Valley. - Slightly warmer Sunday with weak downslope flow continuing. - Quick-moving system to bring some light snow for the Continental Divide and increased winds for all on Tuesday. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... Issued at 209 PM MST Sat Nov 9 2024 Currently, upper level low pulling away from the area through Nebraska at mid-afternoon, with only some lingering snow showers over the central mountains as of 2pm mst. Despite the massive snow- pack in place over the area, afternoon temps have been surprisingly warm, as weak downslope gradient has boosted readings into 40s/low 50s over eastern slopes of the Sangres and Wets, with a mix of 30s/40s elsewhere. In fact, warmest readings have been in locations where snow is deepest, as Red Creek/Cuchara/Colorado City RAWS sites have crested 50 degf despite 2-4 feet of snow on the ground. For tonight, clearing skies most areas will lead to some fog formation, mainly across the San Luis Valley where winds will be light. Remaining mountains/valleys will drop to seasonably cold levels (mainly teens/20s) by early Sunday morning. Over the east slopes/I-25 corridor, downslope winds will keep readings mild and most fog at bay, though some patchy ground fog may occur over wind sheltered locations such the Arkansas River Valley and perhaps along Fountain Creek. Over the plains, low risk of some ground fog along the Arkansas River, while winds should stay strong enough south of the river to keep temps milder and fog at bay. On Sunday, mid level warming/plentiful sunshine and continued weak downslope gradient will boost max temps several degf at many locations, though suspect snow-cover will at least try to hold back the warming, especially in weakly mixed locations from Trinidad northeast to La Junta. In general stuck fairly close to the NBM for maxes, as it sits in the middle of the rather wide range of guidance temps. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... Issued at 209 PM MST Sat Nov 9 2024 Sunday night through Monday...Plan on dry conditions, light west surface winds, and another cold night under mostly clear skies. Overnight lows are forecast to drop into the teens to near 20F for the Upper Arkansas River Valley, 5-15 degrees for the San Luis Valley, and 20s to around 30F for the plains. Areas of fog are likely across the San Luis Valley as well as portions of the eastern plains, so included fog wording for one more night. This westerly zonal flow aloft continues across the Rocky Mt region through Monday, allowing for continued dry conditions and warmer temps even though readings should still remain below seasonal normals. Look for highs in the mid 40s to lower 50s for the high valleys, and upper 40s to mid 50s for the plains. Tuesday and Wednesday...There is starting to be closer model agreement on the look of the next feature to affect Colorado, a quick-moving Pacific trough that will essentially cross the region in a span of 24 hours. While the EC paints a slightly more southern track for the incoming trough, overall models indicate isolated to low-end scattered pops along the Continental Divide late Tue morning until just after midnight, increased winds through the day ahead of a cold front, then cold front pushes into eastern CO overnight making for a cooler Wed. Plan on highs Tue in the 40s for the high valleys and upper 40s to upper 50s for the plains, then on Wed temps will warm into the upper 30s to mid 40s for the high valleys, and 40s to near 50F for the plains. Thursday and Friday...Broad ridge of high pressure starts to push in from the south and east, producing dry conditions and warming temps as readings across the eastern plains climb to near normal. The next low pressure system to affect the region will begin to strengthen and more onshore across the West Coast, shifting the flow aloft to a more southwest direction across the Four Corners by Friday and increasing downslope flow for much of the forecast area. Moore && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1051 AM MST Sat Nov 9 2024 At KCOS and KPUB, VFR the next 24 hrs, with winds becoming light downslope/downvalley overnight into Sun morning. Very low risk of some patchy ground fog Sun morning along the Arkansas River near KPUB, though won`t include it the taf yet as downslope winds argue suggest anything will be briefly/very localized. AT KALS, VFR today and into this evening, then IFR with low vis/cigs due to fog after 10z. Fog slowly lifts and conditions go back VFR after 17z Sun. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...PETERSEN LONG TERM...MOORE AVIATION...PETERSEN