856
FXUS65 KBOU 150543
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1143 PM MDT Mon Jul 14 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Afternoon showers/thunderstorms to continue most days this
  week, with an isolated threat for severe storms over the
  northeastern corner Tuesday. Best chance of rain across the
  plains comes Wednesday.

- High temperatures to linger in the 90s across the plains
  through mid-week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 842 PM MDT Mon Jul 14 2025

Minor changes for thunderstorm trends; decaying clump of storms in
the northeast corner and a bit faster decrease elsewhere.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Monday/...
Issued at 202 PM MDT Mon Jul 14 2025

Mountain convection had an early start this morning, with storms
initiating along the Continental Divide around 9AM. Temperatures are
quickly climbing towards convective temperature across the plains,
with multiple observation sites reporting 90+ degrees. As of 11:30
AM (Monday) ACARS soundings are showing just over 500 J/kg of
MLCAPE, large dewpoint depressions, and DCAPE of over 1000 J/kg.
This will be sufficient for thunderstorms to sustain themselves as
they move onto the lower elevations, or for storms to develop once
the convective temp is reached. These storms will be capable of bringing
gusty outflows and dry microbursts between 30-40 mph, with a few
as strong as 50-55 mph. With weak flow aloft, slow moving storms
may bring some localized heavy rainfall (generally over the higher
elevations), but with weak shear in place, storms are not
expected to become severe, however, small hail will be possible.
Cloud cover will help cool temperatures off this evening before
clearing from west to east overnight.

Flow aloft begins to increase on Tuesday as a shortwave moves across
the northern Rockies. At the surface, a lee trough will stretch from
across the plains of Colorado to South Dakota. Forecast soundings
show MLCAPE values near 1000 J/kg with modest amounts of shear (30
to 40 kts) over the northern corner of Colorado in the
afternoon/evening, where dewpoints will be in the 50s. This would
support an isolated severe threat, with large hail and gusty
winds being the main hazards. Elsewhere across the forecast area,
scattered showers and weaker storms will be possible.

A cold front/shortwave combo is expected to bring widespread
precipitation and brief cooldown on Wednesday and Thursday. Some
localized heavy rainfall will be possible as ensembles show PWAT
values between 120-160% of normal from the Continental Divide
eastward. A few stronger storms will be possible along and behind
the front, especially along the northern plains where shear will be
strongest, and the severe threat will be higher. Temperatures will
feel cool compared to the rest of the week, but still climb into the
mid to upper 80s across portions of the plains, with high 70s for
areas along the Wyoming/Nebraska borders.

By Friday, the ridge reamplifies and temperatures rebound to the
90s across the plains. Ensembles hold 90 degree temperatures
steady for the foreseeable future. A more active pattern will
continue through the forecast period with shortwaves passing
through the upper-level flow, and scattered afternoon showers and
storms will be possible each afternoon.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS through 06Z Wednesday/...
Issued at 1140 PM MDT Mon Jul 14 2025

VFR through Tuesday evening. Drainage winds are established at
the terminals this evening and should continue through most of the
overnight hours. Expect a turn to the southwest between 09-12z,
followed by northwest winds most of Tuesday morning. A little
uncertainty if winds eventually turn N/NNE by the afternoon hours,
but did not opt for any changes to the previous TAF. Overall a
lower chance of gusty showers/outflow winds at the terminals
Tuesday afternoon with the previous PROB30 still covering that
potential well enough.

By Tuesday evening, northeasterly flow looks like it will
establish, leading to a gradual moistening trend overnight.
Guidance hints at stratus potential after 06z Wednesday with
better potential towards MVFR/IFR cigs by Wednesday morning.

&&

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

&&

$$

UPDATE...Gimmestad
DISCUSSION...Bonner
AVIATION...Hiris