-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
393
FXUS65 KPUB 222353
AFDPUB

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
553 PM MDT Sat Jun 22 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Temperatures heat up through next week with readings 100-105
  degrees across the portions of southeast plains with hottest
  days Monday and Tuesday.

- At least isolated thunderstorms possible each day, mainly over
  the mountains

- Another uptick in thunderstorms possible late week with
  another influx of subtropical moisture and potential cold
  front next Friday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 207 PM MDT Sat Jun 22 2024

Clouds have hung in across the San Luis Valley today which has
slowed afternoon heating. Dew points are still in the mid 50s as
of 20z with temperatures in the low 70s. Elsewhere temperatures
have warmed into the 80s to mid 90s across the lower elevations
under persistent mid/high cloud cover. Afternoon heating and a
weak disturbance moving through westerly flow aloft into
northwest CO has triggered isolated to scattered showers and
thunderstorms across the mountains, with best coverage along the
Continental Divide. SPC mesoanalysis shows some stout SBCAPE
across the San Luis Valley (up to 2000 J/kg) but MLCAPE is
considerably less (under 1000 J/kg). Even out west, dew points
have maintained in the 40s across the Eastern San Juan and La
Garita mountains while falling into the 20s and 30s farther
north across Lake and Chaffee Counties under the drier airmass.
With deep layer shears running around 30-40 kts, still think
there is a window for an isolated strong storm across the
southwest mountains and San Luis Valley if sufficient
instability can be realized. Gusty outflow winds up to 50 mph,
small hail and locally heavy rainfall would be the primary storm
risks through early evening. Most showers and thunderstorms
will hug the higher terrain, but some CAMS models do push a
couple storms into the I-25 corridor this evening. Dew points
are quite a bit lower east of the mountains with inverted V
soundings indicating more of a gusty erratic wind risk for the
I-25 corridor. Again, cells should be isolated with best chances
south of highway 50.

Convection will die off with loss of heating this evening with a
warm night under some residual high cloud cover expected.
Sunday will be a few degrees warmer as the upper ridge builds
over the region. Shallow mid/high level moisture may be enough
for some isolated high based thunderstorms over the mountains
and along the surface trough axis across the far southeast
plains. Gusty erratic winds up to 45 mph will be the primary
storm risk. -KT

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 207 PM MDT Sat Jun 22 2024

Main story for the long term will be the building heat over the
region through the early part of the week as the upper high over
the southwest and south central U.S. remains firmly in place and
builds northward again into Tuesday. Temperatures both days will
reach the 100-105 degree range across the lower elevations of
the southeast plains and we could be flirting with Heat
Advisories once again for portions of the I-25 corridor and
lower Arkansas region. Elsewhere, temperatures in the valleys
will climb well into the 80s with 60s and 70s for the higher
elevations. Thunderstorm chances remain in the forecast as
pulses of modest mid/high level moisture rotate through the
upper high. But thunderstorms continued inverted V soundings
suggest gusty winds and lightning will be the primary risks with
only spotty light rainfall possible.

Moisture increases from Wednesday through Friday as another
influx of subtropical moisture works its way northward with the
upper high. This will bring an uptick in showers and
thunderstorms to the region with better chances for some
measurable rainfall amounts. Increasing afternoon cloud cover
should shave a couple degrees off high temperatures but readings
will still be around 100 for portions of the lower Arkansas
River valley. The next meaningful front comes in late Friday
across the plains behind a trough passage to the north, which
may bring slightly cooler temperatures to the region for the
following weekend along with better chances for showers and
thunderstorms. -KT

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
Issued at 550 PM MDT Sat Jun 22 2024

KALS: Isolated thunderstorms will continue in and around the San
Luis Valley for another few hours. No storms are expected to
move over the terminal at this time, but some gusty outflow
winds could be possible. Otherwise, VFR through 24 hours.

KCOS: Showers are currently forming near the terminal, though no
precipitation is expected at the terminal at this time. If
a shower does impact the terminal, it will be relatively short-
lived with light to moderate rainfall and briefly reduced
visibility. Otherwise, VFR through 24 hours.

KPUB: VFR conditions expected through 24 hours. Some gusty winds
from nearby showers will be possible this evening into tonight,
with winds weakening closer to midnight. Clouds will clear
close to 18Z.
-- End Changed Discussion --

&&

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

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...KT
LONG TERM...KT
AVIATION...GARBEROGLIO