Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pueblo, CO

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815
FXUS65 KPUB 181757
AFDPUB

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1157 AM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Slight upturn in thunderstorm chances over the southeast
  plains this afternoon/evening.

- Hot temperatures and daily mountain showers/storms will continue
through most of this week.

- After a brief lull in activity Wednesday-Thursday, more active
  weather will return to the area late week and into this
  weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 331 AM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025

Today and Tonight...Upper-level ridge wobbles back west today, while
mid/upper level flow aloft increases slightly as weak wave moves
through the central Rockies. This should allow for slightly better
moisture/instability to work westward on the plains, with CAPE over
1000 J/KG along the KS border by mid/late afternoon. Wave to the
north should add at least a slight bump up in upward vertical
motion, while very modest increase in deep layer shear may nudge up
storm strength as well. New SWODY1 has shifted the marginal risk for
severe storms southward on the plains into Kiowa County as a result,
though stronger storms look to stay farther north in nern CO/nwrn
KS/srn NE where forcing is better. CAMs in rough agreement, with
storms firing along the Palmer Divide/Raton Mesa, then strengthening
as they move east toward KS. Gusty winds to 60 mph the main storm
hazard, though some low end severe hail is possible over the far
east where instability is higher. A few CAMs hint at a larger scale
cold pool/outflow sweeping across the plains Mon evening, bringing a
period of gusty winds to many locations toward sunset. Monday`s max
temps look little changed from Sunday`s readings, as mid level
heights/temps remain relatively steady.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 331 AM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025

Broad upper-high will settle over the Four Corners Region as we head
into the middle of the week. On Tuesday, recycled moisture will
allow for another round of isolated to scattered storms, largely
focused over the higher terrain in the afternoon. Latest guidance is
lacking in instability over the mountainous areas, with the best
chances for storms over the Pikes Peak Region and our southeast
mountains. Most likely outcome for storm impacts at this time
appears to be gusty outflow winds from high-based storms, along and
adjacent to the I-25 corridor.

As the high pressure settles over Colorado, Wednesday-Thursday will
be a bit on the drier side. Much lower POPs across the area, and
only a few isolated showers possible over the higher terrain each
afternoon. Meanwhile, temperatures remain consistent with the
previous few days and remain above average. Highs will be in the 80s-
90s across most of our CWA, with warmest temps over the far eastern
plains.

Later this week and into the weekend, more monsoon moisture will
make its way into our area. Coupled with a frontal passage Friday
afternoon, the chance for some heavy rain over and near the
mountains seems fairly likely. Will have to keep an eye on how
things look for flash flooding risk as we get closer to date.
Temperatures will also drop a bit behind the front, cooling down
towards seasonal levels.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1152 AM MDT Mon Aug 18 2025

Generally VFR conditions and dry weather this forecast period,
especially for ALS and PUB. For COS, there is a small window of
shower and thunderstorm development likely this afternoon into
the early evening time frame. Given higher confidence of
occurrence, have maintained the current tempo group in place.
Once current shower and thunderstorm pushes off of the mountains
over the next couple of hours, could see the need to go
prevailing, but the current tempo may suffice. Conditions then
dry this evening, with precipitation not anticipated for the
remainder of the period. Winds will be light and diurnally
driven, outside of any stronger outflow winds later this
afternoon.

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...PETERSEN
LONG TERM...GARBEROGLIO
AVIATION...RODRIGUEZ