989
FXUS65 KBOU 170217
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
817 PM MDT Mon Jun 16 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Cooler by Tuesday as a storm system moves through. At least a
  chance (30-50%) of showers/storms across the metro and plains.

- Strong signal for record breaking heat from Thursday into next
  weekend, along with potential for critical fire weather
  conditions.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Monday/...
Issued at 126 PM MDT Mon Jun 16 2025

Current satellite imagery shows cumulus clouds developing over the
Front Range mountains as light elevated convective showers are
just initiating, primarily in Larimer county. These showers will
continue for the next couple of hours, spilling across I-25
corridor and Denver metro. Severe threat is low at this time, as
SPC mesoanalysis shows decent CIN just east of the foothills due
to a weak cap still in place. However, daytime mixing will
eventually erode the cap. As these storms travel east, primarily
into eastern Weld, Logan Sedgwick and Phillips counties, they will
be entering into an environment that will support supercell
development. MLCAPE is expected to increase to 3,000+ J/Kg with
model Skew-T soundings showing 9 degrees C/km 500-700 mb lapse
rates and bulk shear >30 kts. Due to these expected conditions,
strong wind gusts up to 70 mph and large hail (golfball sized) are
possible, mainly between 6 PM and 10 PM. Tornado threat is very
low, but cannot rule out a brief spin up.

Overnight, a cold front will cross the region bringing gusty winds
and a few scattered light showers in the morning. Tuesday will be
a lot cooler than the past couple of days, with ensemble guidance
being in good agreement of the plains reaching up to the mid 70s.
An upper level shortwave is expected to track across the region
Tuesday afternoon, which could bring scattered thunderstorms. A
deep moisture field will be advected into the region from the
southeast, bringing dewpoint temperatures into the high 50s (and
low 60s far northeast), with MLCAPE values up to 2,000 J/Kg and
steep lapse rates. The only parameter that is lacking is bulk
shear, as models indicate less than 30 kts. If guidance starts
trending towards increasing shear, confidence will increase for
severe storms over the plains. If these storms do materialize,
wind and hail will be the primary threat.

The cooldown will be very brief as we will start warming up again
on Wednesday. Temperatures should reach up to the mid 80s across
the plains, with mostly dry conditions. However, the main concern
towards the end of the week will be the possibility of a heat
wave Thursday through the weekend. Ensemble guidance has continued
to trend towards multiple days of 97+ degree temperatures across
the lower elevations. Friday should have the best chance reaching
100 degrees, as each member of the ECMWF has the max temperature
being over 100 degrees. There is still a little uncertainty
however, as the GEFS has most of their members reaching up to 99
degrees. Regardless, it will be very hot until we get into next
week, as guidance has indicated a system moving through sometime
Monday or Tuesday.

Another concern with the scorching heat, is the fire weather
threat. As an upper level ridge travels east, southwesterly flow
aloft will bring dry conditions to the mountains and plains.
Relative humidity values could get as low as the single digits and
breezy wind gusts could bring about critical fire weather
conditions. We will continue to monitor.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday/...
Issued at 812 PM MDT Mon Jun 16 2025

Convection was in the area once again sending outflow boundaries
that impacted DIA. Will leave precipitation out of the TAF going
forward.  None of the models show any drainage winds at DIA
overnight, but rather, keep weak north to northeasterlies winds
going all night. Some model cross sections indicate lower Stratus
at the airport, mainly from 12Z-18Z. Not totally convinced about
it, but will keep something lower going at least some of that
time. Will go with SCT-BKN020-030 for a few hours Tuesday morning.


&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Ideker
AVIATION.....rjk