Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

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FXUS65 KBOU 251035
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
435 AM MDT Mon Mar 25 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Travel impacts will continue through the morning commute, before
  improving through the day.

- Today`s temperatures will be well below seasonal normals, but
  will warm up somewhat on Tuesday.

- Light snow showers in the mountains Tuesday into early Wednesday
  with a slight chance of snow showers across the plains on
  Tuesday.

- Drier conditions return for Thursday through Saturday with warmer
  temperatures.


&&

.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 430 AM MDT Mon Mar 25 2024

Satellite pictures are showing the upper trough over the CWA early
this morning. There is a north-northwesterly wind field across the
plains with winds gusts in the 20 to 35 knot range currently. Area
radars are showing some drying in the reflectivity, over the
northern plains and over the foothills, however mainly light snow
snow continues over most of the plains.  There is an area of
moderate snow over eastern Arapahoe and Elbert Counties.

Models have the upper trough/closed low push off to the east today
with ending this morning over the western half of the plains by
15Z and over the rest of the plains by 18Z. Light snow lingers
over the high mountains through the day. Additional snow
accumulations over all areas of the CWA will be minor.

The pressure and wind fields keep decent northerly surface winds
going over the eastern 2/3rds of the plains much of the day. Gust
speeds could reach 45 mph in the gusts. The gradient lets up
later this afternoon and this evening with normals diurnal
patterns expected tonight.

As far as the highlights go, will let all but the Snow Advisories
along the eastern border as well as the High Wind Warning over
southern Lincoln County end at 12Z. For temperatures, today`s
highs look to be well below normal and as much as 25 degrees F
below normal over the plains.

.LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Sunday)
Issued at 258 AM MDT Mon Mar 25 2024

NW flow aloft will be over the area from Tue into Wed.  Cross-
sections show periods of moisture affecting the mtns with favorable
lapse rates.  Thus will see orographic driven snow showers from Tue
into early Wed.  At lower elevations, favorable lapse rates combined
with lingering moisture will allow for a slight chc of aftn and
evening snow showers Tue aftn and evening, across the plains.
Highs across the plains will be in the 40s on Tue and then rise
back to near seasonal levels on Wed.

On Thu, a flat upper level ridge will move into the area with WSW
flow aloft.  There is some moisture embedded in the flow, however,
warming aloft should limit snow shower activity in the mtns.
Meanwhile, at the sfc, a lee trough will develop over ern CO with
downslope flow. This will lead to warmer temperatures as highs
rise into the 60s over nern CO.

For Fri, little change expected as WSW flow aloft continues.  Once
again, some moisture is embedded in the flow but warm
temperatures aloft should limit snow shower activity in the mtns.
Over the plains it will remain dry with mild temperatures.

Looking ahead to next weekend, a storm system will be near the West
Coast on Sat and will move slowly eastward by Sun.  Overall, the
flow aloft will be southwesterly.  At this time, precip chances look
on the low side across the area. Highs both days will be above
normal across nern CO.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 12Z Monday night)
Issued at 1247 AM MDT Mon Mar 25 2024

Light snow will continue to push across DIA from the north through
about 14Z. Will go with visibilities in the 3SM-6SM range with
-SN BR. Ceilings should range in BKN-OVC025-050 range through 15Z,
 then improve. Models keep northerly winds going much of today at
 DIA. Speeds of 15-35KT will continue much of the day.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT early this morning for
COZ031-033-035.

Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM MDT early this morning for
COZ034.

Winter Storm Warning until 9 AM MDT this morning for COZ036-039.

Winter Weather Advisory until 9 AM MDT this morning for COZ037-
040-045.

Blizzard Warning until 9 AM MDT this morning for COZ041.

Winter Weather Advisory until noon MDT today for COZ046-048>051.

High Wind Warning until noon MDT today for COZ047.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...RJK
LONG TERM....RPK
AVIATION.....RJK


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