Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
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971 FXUS65 KBOU 110009 AFDBOU Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 609 PM MDT Mon Aug 10 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Very warm temperatures to continue through Tuesday, then start to cool Wednesday and fall below normal Thursday. - Another round of high-based virga showers today. Wind gusts of30-45 mph are possible from the showers. - Slight chance for strong to severe thunderstorms over far northeast Colorado late this afternoon and evening. - Monsoon moisture becomes plentiful beginning Wednesday bringing daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms through the rest week and weekend. Locally heavy rainfall and localized flooding are possible. && .DISCUSSION /Through Monday/... Issued at 1217 PM MDT Mon Aug 10 2026 The upper level ridge will continue to dominate the weather today and tomorrow, before a pattern change brings relatively cooler temperatures and increased chances in precipitation chances beginning Wednesday. Today will be similar to what we have been seeing over the weekend, with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s and scattered showers and thunderstorms for the mountains and plains. Current satellite imagery shows that cumulus has developed, with virga showers already popping up across mountains and portions of the I-25 corridor. ACARS soundings still show a very dry airmass at the low-levels, so expect most of the showers to produce little to no rainfall for the plains. However, with the increase in moisture, a few of the stronger storms likely will produce light rainfall amounts. SPC mesoanalysis page has DCAPE values ranging from 900-1300 J/kg, so gusty winds of 30-45 mph (a few could be stronger) will be a concern this afternoon/evening. As these storms track east later this afternoon/evening, they will be tapping into a better environment (better low-level moisture, and increased instability) that could support strong to severe storms. CAMs this morning favor storms becoming more linear as they reach the eastern plains, closer to Logan/Washington counties. Outflow gusts of 60-70 mph are possible, with a lower threat for hail. SPC upgraded portions of the eastern plains to a Slight Risk (2/5) for this reason. Tuesday will be similar, with hot temperatures in the mid/upper 90s and high-based showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. However, instability does not look as favorable, so only expecting outflow gusts up to 35 mph with isolated stronger. We should see a bit more storms having rain reach the ground due continued increase in mid- level moisture. Guidance has this mostly confined to the mountains and high valleys due to better moisture availability. By Wednesday, the upper level ridge will weaken and shift east as a weak shortwave embedded in the flow will traverse the region Wednesday evening/night. Southwest flow aloft will advect monsoonal moisture into the region, where our mountains will receive more widespread showers and thunderstorms. For the plains, scattered showers/thunderstorms will occur, with the possibility of some becoming strong-to-severe, particularly for the eastern plains. Modeled Skew-T soundings show very favorable shear profiles, with decent instability. SPC introduced a Slight Risk (2/5) for this reason, which seems reasonable at this time. Steep low/mid-level lapse rates will support strong outflow winds, however there is also a hail threat. Precipitable water values are expected to get up to 1- 1.3", so any strong storm has the ability to produce localized flooding concerns. Storm motion should be fast, so widespread flooding will not be a concern as of right now. For Thursday, more monsoonal moisture will arrive, with precipitable water values increasing to 120-170% of normal. The upper level shortwave will continue to trek across Colorado Thursday morning, providing lift needed to generate more widespread beneficial rainfall for the plains. Modeled soundings depict a favorable profile for efficient precipitation (above average PWAT, deep warm cloud layer, moist vertical profile) thus there is a higher threat for flooding. WPC has a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall for much of the mountains, I-25 Corridor, and plains for this reason. Friday and into the weekend, ensemble guidance continues to look promising in keeping the upper level ridge out our southeast. This will keep us relatively cool (highs in the 80s) with daily chances of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday/... Issued at 542 PM MDT Mon Aug 10 2026 Weak showers remain over KBJC as things are on track to wind down over the TAF sites over the next hour or two. There are quite a few boundaries lingering around the TAF sites stemming from stronger storms over the eastern plains, but they will likely wash out before making it to the airfields. The only exception will be for KAPA that may see a period of ESE winds (around 2Z) if the current boundary in western Elbert County can hold together as it approaches. Expecting winds to remain light and variable over the next few hours outside of any potential passing showers. Winds are expected to transition to the SW behind the showers where they should persist through the overnight hours. Similar conditions to today`s are expected for Tuesday, with light and variable winds turning to the NE by early afternoon before potential for some showers with gusty outflows (25-30 kts) begins sometime around 20Z-21Z. A PROB30 is in place across the TAF sites to account for the potential. Smoke persists across the TAF sites this evening, which is expected to keep slant range visibility issues through at least sunset. Guidance continues to show conditions improving, so will continue to monitor with the potential need for FU to be added if conditions do not improve. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...MAI AVIATION...9