Forecast Discussions mentioning any of "HRRR" "RAP" "RR" "RUC13" "RUC" received at GSD on 05/21/16

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
847 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night)
Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016

Windy and mild continue through these periods. This early
afternoon, southwest winds have been in the 30s to low 40s mph in
the western valleys, 40s to mid 50s in the western mountains.
These winds will be increasing over the next 36 hours as the upper
Low over northern California tracks slowly to the northeast. Gusty
winds are expected to continue and strengthen over high exposed
terrain tonight, even mixing into a few western valley locations.
Elsewhere valleys will have shallow inversions keeping overnight
low temperatures mild. MSLP gradient and 700-600MB winds increase
on Saturday. Therefore have issued another Wind Advisory for
eastern Utah including the mountains, and spreading a bit further
into far western Colorado. Another mild night expected Saturday
night as a cold front works across Utah.

Afternoon convection has been minimal and less than forecasted.
Overall this spring the models seem to be overproducing QPF.
Therefore have lowered POPs for the weekend.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday)
Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016

Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of
the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front
works through the forecast area, strongest forcing across the
north. But the moisture will have eroded from PW values around 0.7
inch now to around 0.3 on Sunday. So showers will be minimal. An
isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out.

A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger
shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend
through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day
convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday Evening)
Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016

VFR conditions dominate. Isolated mainly mountain thunderstorms
should be circumnavigable. moderate to strong turbulence is the
main threat as southwest winds will gust to 30-40 mph this
afternoon and again on Saturday. Tonight strong southwest winds
will continue over higher terrain mixing into western TAF sites at
times, including KCNY KTEX. Low level wind shear will be possible
at all TAF sites through 18z Saturday when the inversions are
expected to break.

&&

.GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
CO...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ003.

     Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ001-006-020.

UT...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ023-025-028.

     Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ022-027-029.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...JOE
LONG TERM...JOE
AVIATION...JOE



  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 728 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 728 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Only isolated showers were able to briefly push through the cirrus shield over the forecast area this afternoon, and those have all dissipated. 00Z soundings from Denver and Grand Junction show a stable layer, more pronounced on the Grand Junction sounding. The cap is expected to remain in place through the rest of the night so no further storm threat. The eastern plains will see another round of low clouds and fog, and even some drizzle overnight as moisture continues to increase in stronger southeast flow. The low clouds and fog may wrap back as far as the northern sections of Denver by early Saturday morning with the aid of a Denver cyclone, but main threat would be from northern Larimer and Weld counties east and southeast to around Akron, Limon, and points east. Overall forecast on track, just removed evening thunder and added areas of drizzle to the eastern plains. Also increased winds on the plains Saturday afternoon with good mixing and strong pressure gradient in place. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 220 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Current radar and satellite imagery showing increasing convection over the foothills and northern portions of the CWA. The surface low that was in place on the lee side of the mountains has degraded bringing sfc flow more southerly over the eastern portions of the CWA. A dry line is setting up along a line from Weld county SE into Washington that will increase CAPE and convection in that region for storms moving off the northern foothills. Steering flow is SE so many storms may instead move into WY vs east across our northern counties. Still maintain a chance of thunderstorms in the mountains and foothills with a slight chance on the plains. Further south mid level temperatures will most likely be too warm for much convection so storms will most likely produce some light rain and gusty winds. For tonight the storms will wind down around 5 pm and storms will end from west to east. Pressure falls ahead of an approaching trough over CA will again turn winds on the plains more SE. This will help to usher in increasing moisture west onto the plains. Models are indicating a Denver cyclone setting up to the north of the city that will help to pull moisture more west. At this time will keep the city of Denver and DIA under patchy fog conditions with heavier areas of fog further east and north. This low fog and increased moisture will lift into a lowered stratus that will delay initial warming...however with dry SW flow increasing through the day conditions should still warm to lower 80s for much of the plains. Convection is looking less probable with most areas capped. Kept a slight chance of storms in the mountains with decent lapse and CAPE values above 1000 j/kg at higher elevations but have kept it mostly over the far eastern portions of the CWA for late afternoon. Do not expect severe but light to moderate rainshowers and gusty winds will be possible with the stronger storms. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 220 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Drier air will move over the area Saturday night. There will just be a slight chance for thunderstorms during the evening over the northern mountains and far eastern plains. Sunday will be warm ahead of a cold front that will push through during the day. Highs are expected to be in the mid 70s to lower 80s across northeast Colorado. Moisture is somewhat limited Sunday and will keep convection isolated. Best chance for storms will be over the higher terrain and northeast corner of the state. If enough moisture hangs on over the northeast corner there could be a couple strong to severe thunderstorms. It will be cooler Monday behind this system. There should be enough moisture and instability for another round of isolated showers and thunderstorms. Most of them will be found over the higher terrain. A weak southwest flow aloft will persist Tuesday through Friday over Colorado. Mainly isolated afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms are expected. May be a better chance for storms Thursday and Friday as an upper level trough moves into the central Rockies. Temperatures will be at or slightly below normal Tuesday through Friday. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 728 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 VFR conditions will prevail, although there is still a brief window of fog potential from 12Z-15Z Saturday. Denver cyclone will support stratus and fog development over the eastern plains, wrapping it back toward the Front Range late tonight and early Saturday morning. Main threat is still from KFNL and KGXY east to KAKO, KLIC, and points east. At KDEN and KBJC probability of fog is only about 20% right now, but still something to watch closely as any fog development would likely take the visibility down to 1/4SM. No threat of thunder for the Front Range airports and KDEN through Saturday evening. Southerly winds near 15-20 knots with a few gusts near 25 knots til 06z gradually weakening and becoming variable by Saturday morning. Then expect them to increase again and have bumped up KDEN and KAPA to near 20 knots with gusts 25-30 knots expected to develop by 20Z Saturday during peak heating and mixing. && .BOU Watches/Warnings/Advisories... None. && $$ UPDATE...Barjenbruch SHORT TERM...Bowen LONG TERM...Meier AVIATION...Barjenbruch
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 608 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 607 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Quick update to incorporate latest obs and satellite data. Pared back pops to just isolated over the higher terrain for a few hours this eve, otherwise feel that the HRR is overdone. Rest of forecast package looks good at this time, with some fog developing and moving into portions of the e plains overnight. Moore && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Not many adjustments required from earlier forecast reasoning with primary near/short term meteorological concerns for the forecast district being isolated pops, areas of low clouds and fog developing over eastern sections later tonight, temperatures and gusty winds at times. Forecast district currently graced by variable clouds, locally gusty winds, isolated shower and thunderstorm activity, primarily to the north of the CWFA and generally above seasonal late May afternoon temperatures. Recent real-time data, PV analysis, forecast model soundings and computer simulations indicate that relatively dry southwesterly upper flow will prevail over the forecast district during the next 24 hours, however enough atmospheric moisture interacting with the daily orographic heating cycle and a passing weak upper disturbance will be capable of generating isolated showers and thunderstorms(some potentially strong at times), into this evening, primarily over eastern portions of the CWFA. In addition, have depicted areas of low clouds and fog developing later tonight over primarily eastern portions of the forecast district. Gusty winds are also anticipated at times during the next 24 hours, however per recent direction of area land agencies, will refrain from any fire weather highlights as fuels are not favorable. Finally, above seasonal temperatures are expected to continue over the majority of the forecast district during the next 24 hours. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 A generally dry and warm period is anticipated during this long term forecast period as the region will be under modest southwesterly flow aloft. I anticipate the dryline will remain primarily to the east of the forecast area...so the probability of severe convection is low. the only exception to this may be late in the period as the guidance shows a stronger disturbance moving across the region during the Thursday/Friday time frame. for later this weekend (Sunday)...it will be quite warm...dry and windy across the region. Meteorological conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior...however after talking to the folks at Pueblo Dispatch...fuels are not conducive to rapid spread. Likewise...no fire weather hilites will be issued. Max temps both days will be well into the 80s across the Plains...and a 90 or two is not out of the question. Southwest wind gusts to 25 to 35 mph are likely. a cold front will cross the area Sunday night...and a bit cooler weather is expected for Monday. However...it will remain quite dry in the low levels after fropa...and very little if any thunder is expected over the region Monday afternoon. If thunder does occur...it will likely be in the Pikes Peak region and central mtn areas. Dry southwesterly flow at lower levels will likely develop once again Tuesday and last into Thursday. By late in the week...the stronger disturbance discussed above will move across the region and this may back the llvl winds enough to bring llvl moisture into the region which may allow for thunderstorms over the plains late Thu afternoon and possibly Fri afternoon. This disturbance late in the week will also bring a better chance of tsra to the mtns. /Hodanish && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Isolated later afternoon into evening showers and thunderstorms will be possible over sections of the district...primarily near the KCOS taf site into this evening. However, still anticipate that southwesterly upper flow will allow VFR conditions to continue over the KALS, KCOS and KPUB taf sites into Saturday. In addition, have also depicted areas of low clouds/fog over some eastern locations from later tonight into early Saturday morning, with low clouds/areas of fog possibly encroaching the KCOS and KPUB taf sites during this time-frame...WFO PUB will monitor closely. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...MOORE SHORT TERM...77 LONG TERM...HODANISH AVIATION...77
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 342 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Windy and mild continue through these periods. This early afternoon, southwest winds have been in the 30s to low 40s mph in the western valleys, 40s to mid 50s in the western mountains. These winds will be increasing over the next 36 hours as the upper Low over northern California tracks slowly to the northeast. Gusty winds are expected to continue and strengthen over high exposed terrain tonight, even mixing into a few western valley locations. Elsewhere valleys will have shallow inversions keeping overnight low temperatures mild. MSLP gradient and 700-600MB winds increase on Saturday. Therefore have issued another Wind Advisory for eastern Utah including the mountains, and spreading a bit further into far western Colorado. Another mild night expected Saturday night as a cold front works across Utah. Afternoon convection has been minimal and less than forecasted. Overall this spring the models seem to be overproducing QPF. Therefore have lowered POPs for the weekend. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front works through the forecast area, strongest forcing across the north. But the moisture will have eroded from PW values around 0.7 inch now to around 0.3 on Sunday. So showers will be minimal. An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday Evening) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 VFR conditions dominate. Isolated mainly mountain thunderstorms should be circumnavigable. moderate to strong turbulence is the main threat as southwest winds will gust to 30-40 mph this afternoon and again on Saturday. Tonight strong southwest winds will continue over higher terrain mixing into western TAF sites at times, including KCNY KTEX. Low level wind shear will be possible at all TAF sites through 18z Saturday when the inversions are expected to break. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...JOE
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 337 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Not many adjustments required from earlier forecast reasoning with primary near/short term meteorological concerns for the forecast district being isolated pops, areas of low clouds and fog developing over eastern sections later tonight, temperatures and gusty winds at times. Forecast district currently graced by variable clouds, locally gusty winds, isolated shower and thunderstorm activity, primarily to the north of the CWFA and generally above seasonal late May afternoon temperatures. Recent real-time data, PV analysis, forecast model soundings and computer simulations indicate that relatively dry southwesterly upper flow will prevail over the forecast district during the next 24 hours, however enough atmospheric moisture interacting with the daily orographic heating cycle and a passing weak upper disturbance will be capable of generating isolated showers and thunderstorms(some potentially strong at times), into this evening, primarily over eastern portions of the CWFA. In addition, have depicted areas of low clouds and fog developing later tonight over primarily eastern portions of the forecast district. Gusty winds are also anticipated at times during the next 24 hours, however per recent direction of area land agencies, will refrain from any fire weather highlights as fuels are not favorable. Finally, above seasonal temperatures are expected to continue over the majority of the forecast district during the next 24 hours. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 A generally dry and warm period is anticipated during this long term forecast period as the region will be under modest southwesterly flow aloft. I anticipate the dryline will remain primarily to the east of the forecast area...so the probability of severe convection is low. the only exception to this may be late in the period as the guidance shows a stronger disturbance moving across the region during the Thursday/Friday time frame. for later this weekend (Sunday)...it will be quite warm...dry and windy across the region. Meteorological conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior...however after talking to the folks at Pueblo Dispatch...fuels are not conducive to rapid spread. Likewise...no fire weather hilites will be issued. Max temps both days will be well into the 80s across the Plains...and a 90 or two is not out of the question. Southwest wind gusts to 25 to 35 mph are likely. a cold front will cross the area Sunday night...and a bit cooler weather is expected for Monday. However...it will remain quite dry in the low levels after fropa...and very little if any thunder is expected over the region Monday afternoon. If thunder does occur...it will likely be in the Pikes Peak region and central mtn areas. Dry southwesterly flow at lower levels will likely develop once again Tuesday and last into Thursday. By late in the week...the stronger disturbance discussed above will move across the region and this may back the llvl winds enough to bring llvl moisture into the region which may allow for thunderstorms over the plains late Thu afternoon and possibly Fri afternoon. This disturbance late in the week will also bring a better chance of tsra to the mtns. /Hodanish && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Isolated later afternoon into evening showers and thunderstorms will be possible over sections of the district...primarily near the KCOS taf site into this evening. However, still anticipate that southwesterly upper flow will allow VFR conditions to continue over the KALS, KCOS and KPUB taf sites into Saturday. In addition, have also depicted areas of low clouds/fog over some eastern locations from later tonight into early Saturday morning, with low clouds/areas of fog possibly encroaching the KCOS and KPUB taf sites during this time-frame...WFO PUB will monitor closely. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...77 LONG TERM...HODANISH AVIATION...77
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1130 AM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Saturday) Issued at 323 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 The shortrange models appear on track in positioning the low center along the Oregon coast this morning. Satellite images show the circulation center over extreme sw Oregon and sliding gradually east. The jet curved cyclonically from the San Francisco area over central Nevada then turn more to the north over western Montana. The tightest gradient was edging toward western Utah. This wind band will move east today and cause winds to increase over eastern UT and western CO this afternoon and evening. The gradient should be tight enough to bring wind advisory level wind speeds to the lower elevations of SE UT and extreme NW CO. Gusts to 45 mph are probable. The only factor that could hamper this will be the band of mid and high cloud the will advect over the area. The main wind band is projected over the forecast area Saturday so believe windy conditions will continue. Cloud cover should thicken as well so have held off and any wind highlights at this time as the cloud cover may interfere with vertical mixing. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. This will bring increased coverage of thundershowers especially to the northern mountains. A cold frontal passage in the afternoon will provide a storm focus and then a cool down for the first half of the new week. Snow level stills remains relatively high, around 10000 ft MSL. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave now timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1125 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 SOME MID TO HIGH LEVEL CLOUDS WILL CONTINUE TO STREAM ACROSS THE AREA BUT TAF SITES WILL REMAIN VFR. MAIN CONCERN WILL BE GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS REACHING 30 TO 40 MPH AT TIMES THROUGH 02Z OR SO. SIMILAR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED AGAIN TOMORROW WITH WINDS POSSIBLY GETTING A LITTLE STRONGER AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT TIGHTENS. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ001. UT...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...CC LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...TGR
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1126 AM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 451 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Increased coverage of stratus and fog across Pueblo county through the early morning. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Current water vapor imagery and upper air analysis indicating generally weak west to southwest flow aloft across the state with upper level ridging building across the Rockies ahead of broad upper trough digging across the West Coast at this time. Water vapor imagery is also indicating mid and upper level moisture streaming out ahead of this system across the Desert Southwest and into the Great Basin. At the surface, a deepening LHX low and associated east to southeast low level winds across the far southeast plains is keeping dew pts in the upper 30s to upper 40s, and has helped to develop stratus from eastern portions of El Paso county through portions of Otero, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties at this time. Today and Tonight... No big changes to ongoing forecast, with slowly increasing southwest flow aloft expected across the region as the West Coast upper trough continues to dig into the Desert Southwest, pushing the upper ridge across the far eastern plains and into western Kansas tonight. Warming aloft, denoted by WAA clouds spreading into western CO at this time, will continue to warm temperatures back to at and above seasonal levels today, with highs in the 70s and 80s across the lower elevations and mainly 50s and 60s across the higher terrain. Models continue to indicate enough moisture in place to support isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area this afternoon and evening, with the best coverage expected across the central mountains into the Pikes Peak region. Surface low pressure to persist across the plains today, with breezy east to southeast winds helping to advect low level moisture across the far southeast plains into northeastern CO through the afternoon...where latest SPC outlook has a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms today. With the upper ridge building across the southeast plains, convection looks to be capped today, however, storms which can develop across the Pikes Peak region could quickly strengthen as they move north and east off the Palmer Dvd and into northeastern CO. Convection to diminish and end after sun set with clearing skies overnight, save the far se plains, where could see some stratus develop once again overnight. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Western U.S. upper low drifts slowly back northward on Saturday, keeping deep southwest flow in place across all of southern Colorado. Moisture across the region looks very limited, with just some weak, high-based convection possible over the central mountains. Over the plains, dryline will be lurking near the KS border, but most model guidance keeps deeper moisture/instability just east of the state line, and will go with a dry forecast over the plains for now. Deep mixing Saturday will lead to very warm and breezy conditions area-wide, and a few locations on the plains will approach 90f by late afternoon. Upper low tracks northeastward into Canada Sunday, with southwest flow continuing across Colorado. Dryline appears to mix well east of the KS border in the afternoon, and will keep pops out of the plains once again as dry air mass spreads eastward from the mountains. Mid levels do moisten slightly by afternoon over the higher terrain, and may be just enough instability for some high based -tsra, though with dry surface layer, precip will likely be very light. All of the area will see another day of very warm and windy conditions, though max temps may drift downward a couple degf as heights fall slightly by Sat evening. Weak cold front drops south through the plains Sunday evening, though any upslope surge should be short-lived as new energy drops into the western U.S. upper trough, with southwest flow reforming a lee surface low over ern CO during the day Mon. Moisture remains limited Mon, with again only a few high based mountain storms possible. Pattern persists Tue/Wed as wrn trough continues to deepen, keeping sw flow aloft in place with only limited moisture across the area. Models hint at occasional shallow moisture sloshing into ern CO both Tue and Wed mornings, before mixing quickly eastward as dry sw flow reaches the surface later in the day. Will keep mainly just some low pops in place over the mountains for both Tue and Wed afternoons, though again precip coverage/intensity will be rather sparse/weak. Deeper moisture makes a better push into southern CO Thu/Fri as energy from the western trough finally begins to push eastward and gives cold front a stronger shove southward. Still some timing differences among various models, but main message is a gradual increase in precip chances both days as moisture and lift both ramp up. Max temps Mon-Wed will stay rather warm, then drift downward slowly late week as cooler air filters south. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1134 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 ALTHOUGH ISOLATED AFTERNOON AND EVENING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF THE DISTRICT...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE KCOS TAF SITE...ANTICIPATE THAT SOUTHWESTERLY UPPER FLOW WILL ALLOW GENERALLY VFR CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE OVER THE KALS...KCOS AND KPUB TAF SITES DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 422 AM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Current water vapor imagery and upper air analysis indicating generally weak west to southwest flow aloft across the state with upper level ridging building across the Rockies ahead of broad upper trough digging across the West Coast at this time. Water vapor imagery is also indicating mid and upper level moisture streaming out ahead of this system across the Desert Southwest and into the Great Basin. At the surface, a deepening LHX low and associated east to southeast low level winds across the far southeast plains is keeping dew pts in the upper 30s to upper 40s, and has helped to develop stratus from eastern portions of El Paso county through portions of Otero, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties at this time. Today and Tonight... No big changes to ongoing forecast, with slowly increasing southwest flow aloft expected across the region as the West Coast upper trough continues to dig into the Desert Southwest, pushing the upper ridge across the far eastern plains and into western Kansas tonight. Warming aloft, denoted by WAA clouds spreading into western CO at this time, will continue to warm temperatures back to at and above seasonal levels today, with highs in the 70s and 80s across the lower elevations and mainly 50s and 60s across the higher terrain. Models continue to indicate enough moisture in place to support isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area this afternoon and evening, with the best coverage expected across the central mountains into the Pikes Peak region. Surface low pressure to persist across the plains today, with breezy east to southeast winds helping to advect low level moisture across the far southeast plains into northeastern CO through the afternoon...where latest SPC outlook has a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms today. With the upper ridge building across the southeast plains, convection looks to be capped today, however, storms which can develop across the Pikes Peak region could quickly strengthen as they move north and east off the Palmer Dvd and into northeastern CO. Convection to diminish and end after sun set with clearing skies overnight, save the far se plains, where could see some stratus develop once again overnight. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Western U.S. upper low drifts slowly back northward on Saturday, keeping deep southwest flow in place across all of southern Colorado. Moisture across the region looks very limited, with just some weak, high-based convection possible over the central mountains. Over the plains, dryline will be lurking near the KS border, but most model guidance keeps deeper moisture/instability just east of the state line, and will go with a dry forecast over the plains for now. Deep mixing Saturday will lead to very warm and breezy conditions area-wide, and a few locations on the plains will approach 90f by late afternoon. Upper low tracks northeastward into Canada Sunday, with southwest flow continuing across Colorado. Dryline appears to mix well east of the KS border in the afternoon, and will keep pops out of the plains once again as dry air mass spreads eastward from the mountains. Mid levels do moisten slightly by afternoon over the higher terrain, and may be just enough instability for some high based -tsra, though with dry surface layer, precip will likely be very light. All of the area will see another day of very warm and windy conditions, though max temps may drift downward a couple degf as heights fall slightly by Sat evening. Weak cold front drops south through the plains Sunday evening, though any upslope surge should be short-lived as new energy drops into the western U.S. upper trough, with southwest flow reforming a lee surface low over ern CO during the day Mon. Moisture remains limited Mon, with again only a few high based mountain storms possible. Pattern persists Tue/Wed as wrn trough continues to deepen, keeping sw flow aloft in place with only limited moisture across the area. Models hint at occasional shallow moisture sloshing into ern CO both Tue and Wed mornings, before mixing quickly eastward as dry sw flow reaches the surface later in the day. Will keep mainly just some low pops in place over the mountains for both Tue and Wed afternoons, though again precip coverage/intensity will be rather sparse/weak. Deeper moisture makes a better push into southern CO Thu/Fri as energy from the western trough finally begins to push eastward and gives cold front a stronger shove southward. Still some timing differences among various models, but main message is a gradual increase in precip chances both days as moisture and lift both ramp up. Max temps Mon-Wed will stay rather warm, then drift downward slowly late week as cooler air filters south. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Saturday morning) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 COS, PUB and ALS should remain VFR for the next 24 hours. There is some patchy stratus across eastern El Paso county this morning, though this should not make into COS terminal. There also remains a low probability of a few afternoon and evening storms over the eastern mts and Palmer Divide, but do not expect them to impact the VC COS. Winds will be a bit stronger today with surface winds 10-20 KTS generally from the SE over the plains and S-SW over the San Luis Valley. Convection to diminish after sun set with clearing skies overnight. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...MW LONG TERM...PETERSEN AVIATION...MW
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1101 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Forecast models are consistent and add confidence for forecast details. The upper low over Washington state will sink into northern California on Friday. Northwest flow aloft this evening backs to southwest on Friday with the strongest gradient over Utah. Afternoon wind gusts of around 45 mph are expected so a Wind Advisory has been issued for SE Utah and far NW Colorado. These stronger wind gusts should diminish in the valleys early Friday evening though exposed higher terrain should have gusty winds through the night. There is enough residual moisture to set off late- day, mainly- mountain convection. Associated virga or light showers could produce locally stronger winds. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Saturday, the low works into eastern Oregon stretched across the western Great Basin. Southwest gradient winds will increase a few mph, but cloud cover may inhibit vertical mixing and valley wind gusts somewhat. Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. This will bring increased coverage of thundershowers especially to the northern mountains. A cold frontal passage in the afternoon will provide a storm focus and then a cool down for the first half of the new week. Snow level stills remains relatively high, around 10000 ft MSL. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave now timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night) Issued at 1101 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Isolated showers over the higher terrain will continue here and there through midmorning, but pose little threat to airport operations. Showers and embedded thunderstorms will increase in coverage and intensity over the higher terrain from late morning into the evening in response to daytime warming. Meanwhile, winds will become strong as a storm system moves southward into northern California and northwest Nevada, especially over southeast Utah and northwest Colorado. Wind gusts in excess of 45 MPH are likely in the areas just mentioned, but will decrease after 8 PM MDT. Outflow winds from thunderstorms could top 50 MPH. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for COZ001. UT...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...NL
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1051 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 839 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Showers and thunderstorms will continue to weaken over the next few hours as nocturnal processes become dominant. Decided to cut down pops over the Rampart, Wet, and Sangre de Cristo Mtns as shower activity continues to wane. Latest model guidance continues to suggest shower activity moving into the Central Mtns from the west during the early morning hours...thus decided to rise pops slightly over the Central and northern San Juan Mtns. Otherwise, the current forecast remains on track. Lukinbeal/Mozley && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Currently... Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms were occurring across the region at 2 pm. the best coverage of storms were over the Wet and Sangre mtns. a few showers/-tsra were noted over the I-25 corridor and san luis valley. upper low was located over the sc KS area and flow aloft was from the N-NW. This flow was allowing for a few showers to move onto the plains. Temps across the region were seasonable...with readings in the 50s to L70s across the Plains...and 50s and 60s in the valleys. Rest of today into tonight... Scattered showers will continue over the higher trrn with more isold activity expected over the valleys and the plains adjacent to the mtns into the early evening hours. Once the sun sets...showers will come to an end. The only exception will be the Central mtns were some showers may approach this region towards sunrise as a weak disturbance moves across the central part of the State. Temps tonight will be seasonable with lows in the 40s across the plains and 30s in the valleys. /Hodanish Tomorrow... Drier sw flow aloft moves over the fcst region. Although we will see some isold tsra over the mtns and possibly the plains...I expect we will see less coverage than what we have seen today. Temperatures will continue to warm...and expect another 10 degree warming...with highs in the mid 80s across a good part of the Plains. Overall best chance of precip tomorrow will likely be the c mtn area. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Friday night through Sunday...Long range models agree on placing an upper low pressure system over the West Coast Fri night and Sat, producing brisk SW flow aloft across the 4 Corners as well as very warm temps for the forecast area. Save for isolated convection over the mts, and mainly the central mts, each aftn and eve, conditions will remain dry for much of the CWA. Look for max temps in the upper 60s to mid 70s for the high valleys, and upper 70s to upper 80s for the plains. The upper low migrates to the north and slides across the Northern Rockies on Sun, pushing a cold front down into eastern CO Sun night. Monday through Thursday...As the one upper feature passes to the northeast, another upper trough of low pressure develops over Northern CA and the Pacific NW. This will once again produce southwest flow aloft across the 4 Corners. Multiple disturbances in the upper flow will cross the state, serving as the trigger for scattered convection over the mts, and isolated activity for the plains, for Tue and Wed. Therefore, look for isolated mt convection on Mon with aftn temps about 10 degrees cooler than on Sun. Convective activity increases for all areas Tue and Wed, with max temps in the 70s to around 80 F for the plains, and in the 60s for the high valleys. The upper low to the west finally starts to make a move towards CO on Thu, which will likely mean cooler temps and a higher probability for some showers and storms. Moore && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night) Issued at 1044 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 TAF sites should remain VFR for the next 24-30 hours. There is a low probability of a few afternoon and evening storms over the Palmer Divide...but they should not impact the VC KCOS. Winds will be a bit stronger tomorrow...with surface winds generally from the SE over the plains and S-SW over the San Luis Valley. Rose && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...LUKINBEAL/MOZLEY SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...MOORE AVIATION...ROSE
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 853 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 839 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Showers and thunderstorms will continue to weaken over the next few hours as noctoral processes become dominate. Decided to cut down pops over the Rampart, Wet, and Sangre de Cristo Mtns as shower activity continues to wane. Latest model guidance continues to suggest shower activity moving into the Central Mtns from the west during the early morning hours...thus decided to rise pops slightly over the Central and northern San Juan Mtns. Otherwise, the current forecast remains on track. Lukinbeal/Mozley && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Currently... Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms were occurring across the region at 2 pm. the best coverage of storms were over the Wet and Sangre mtns. a few showers/-tsra were noted over the I-25 corridor and san luis valley. upper low was located over the sc KS area and flow aloft was from the N-NW. This flow was allowing for a few showers to move onto the plains. Temps across the region were seasonable...with readings in the 50s to L70s across the Plains...and 50s and 60s in the valleys. Rest of today into tonight... Scattered showers will continue over the higher trrn with more isold activity expected over the valleys and the plains adjacent to the mtns into the early evening hours. Once the sun sets...showers will come to an end. The only exception will be the Central mtns were some showers may approach this region towards sunrise as a weak disturbance moves across the central part of the State. Temps tonight will be seasonable with lows in the 40s across the plains and 30s in the valleys. /Hodanish Tomorrow... Drier sw flow aloft moves over the fcst region. Although we will see some isold tsra over the mtns and possibly the plains...I expect we will see less coverage than what we have seen today. Temperatures will continue to warm...and expect another 10 degree warming...with highs in the mid 80s across a good part of the Plains. Overall best chance of precip tomorrow will likely be the c mtn area. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Friday night through Sunday...Long range models agree on placing an upper low pressure system over the West Coast Fri night and Sat, producing brisk SW flow aloft across the 4 Corners as well as very warm temps for the forecast area. Save for isolated convection over the mts, and mainly the central mts, each aftn and eve, conditions will remain dry for much of the CWA. Look for max temps in the upper 60s to mid 70s for the high valleys, and upper 70s to upper 80s for the plains. The upper low migrates to the north and slides across the Northern Rockies on Sun, pushing a cold front down into eastern CO Sun night. Monday through Thursday...As the one upper feature passes to the northeast, another upper trough of low pressure develops over Northern CA and the Pacific NW. This will once again produce southwest flow aloft across the 4 Corners. Multiple disturbances in the upper flow will cross the state, serving as the trigger for scattered convection over the mts, and isolated activity for the plains, for Tue and Wed. Therefore, look for isolated mt convection on Mon with aftn temps about 10 degrees cooler than on Sun. Convective activity increases for all areas Tue and Wed, with max temps in the 70s to around 80 F for the plains, and in the 60s for the high valleys. The upper low to the west finally starts to make a move towards CO on Thu, which will likely mean cooler temps and a higher probability for some showers and storms. Moore && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 VFR conditions anticipated during the next 24h at all 3 taf sites...kpub...kcos and kals. winds will be light and diurnally driven. isold weak -tsra will be possible this afternoon at evening at all 3 taf sites...but probability is low that they will occur. the best chance of any precip will be over KCOS. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...LUKINBEAL/MOZLEY SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...MOORE AVIATION...HODANISH
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 401 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Forecast models are consistent and add confidence for forecast details. The upper low over Washington state will sink into northern California on Friday. Northwest flow aloft this evening backs to southwest on Friday with the strongest gradient over Utah. Afternoon wind gusts of around 45 mph are expected so a Wind Advisory has been issued for SE Utah and far NW Colorado. These stronger wind gusts should diminish in the valleys early Friday evening though exposed higher terrain should have gusty winds through the night. There is enough residual moisture to set off late- day, mainly- mountain convection. Associated virga or light showers could produce locally stronger winds. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Saturday, the low works into eastern Oregon stretched across the western Great Basin. Southwest gradient winds will increase a few mph, but cloud cover may inhibit vertical mixing and valley wind gusts somewhat. Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. This will bring increased coverage of thundershowers especially to the northern mountains. A cold frontal passage in the afternoon will provide a storm focus and then a cool down for the first half of the new week. Snow level stills remains relatively high, around 10000 ft MSL. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave now timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Most of the scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will end by 03z. some turbulence is expected to develop overnight and southwest winds aloft strengthen. Gusty southwest winds will begin to mix into TAF sites around 18z Saturday. Afternoon gusts of 45 mph are possible mainly at KCNY KTEX with gusts to 30 to 40 mph elsewhere. Isolated afternoon showers and virga threaten locally very strong wind gusts. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for COZ001. UT...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...JOE
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1232 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Friday) Issued at 251 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 A transitory ridge will move across the area today. This will help remove a bit of the moisture that has been over the forecast area and suppress s some of the convective development this afternoon and evening. The next big pacific storm will move down the west coast from the pacnw to northern ca tonight and friday. The ridgeline will move east of the area friday and that will allow increase southerly surface winds ahead of the large trough along the west coast. Have increased wind speeds and gusts across the board friday. The pacific storm will slowly move inland friday but the forecast area should remain under a dry slot. The big story will be increasing south to southwest winds friday afternoon. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Wednesday) Issued at 221 PM MDT Wed May 18 2016 A large upper level low will sink south and then stall in the vicinity of the interior Pac NW states by Saturday. We will be in the tighter gradient region between this low and the ridge of high pressure over the central U.S. Saturday and Sunday which will bring a breezy to windy and warm pattern to our region. Cannot rule out isolated diurnal convection over the higher terrain Friday and Saturday...but should have a little better coverage on Sunday as a minor upper level trough moves through. As the upper level low weakens and moves north, individual shortwave troughs caught in the broad long wave trough over the western U.s. will begin to cross the region every 36 hours or so next week. Precipitable water values will be about half what they are now...so expect only isolated mainly diurnally driven convection over the mountains each day. After Saturday, as the region comes under the trough aloft, temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees below normal through the middle of next week. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon) Issued at 1227 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 isold shower and a few storms will fire this afternoon though coverage is expected to be less than seen yesterday. convection will form over mountains so main concerns aviation-wise will be mtn tafs including kase...kege...and ktex where vcts looks good for now. kmtj and kdro may see some activity but confidence not high enough to include in taf attm. most precip will end by 03z with next concern being gusty winds tomorrow starting after 17z or so. gusts of 30 to even 40 mph are possible at times. the strongest winds are expected over kcny with lesser winds elsewhere. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...None. UT...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...CC LONG TERM...BEN AVIATION...TGR
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1112 AM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 340 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Some low stratus and fog has developed over portions of El Paso county this morning. The San Luis Valley also has some low clouds this morning. The HRRR and nam are suggesting the stratus should dissipate by 15-16z this morning. An upr trof wl be to the east ovr KS and TX today, with a shortwave ridge ovr CO through tonight. There wl be enough mstr ovr the area today for isold to sct showers and tstms to develop ovr the mtns and high valleys, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Could even see a couple showers/storms move out ovr the I-25 corridor. high temps today wl be warmer than yesterday and should generally be just a few degrees below average. by late tonight most if not all pcpn should end. however, toward morning the nam is suggesting an area of pcpn could move into the CONTDVD, but the gfs is dry. it looks like low stratus could develop tonight ovr portions of the sern plains, mainly from KLHX and eastward, although it also looks like portions of El Paso county may also see the low clouds. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) Issued at 340 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Friday-Saturday...A warmer and drier weather pattern continues to be in the offing as upper level ridging builds into the region on Friday, with southwest flow aloft increasing into Saturday ahead of EPAC energy digging across the West Coast and into the Great Basin. Enough residual moisture will be in place to support isolated to scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms both days, mainly over and near the higher terrain. Storms that do develop look to be higher based, with lightning and gusty winds the main threats. Latest models are indicating fairly deep mixing across the area on Saturday supporting breezy south to southwest winds into the afternoon and early evening and pushing dry line well into Kansas. Warming aloft continues across the area with temperatures warming back to at and above seasonal levels with highs in the 70s and 80s across the lower elevations and mainly 50s and 60s across the higher terrain. Breezy winds...warm temps and low afternoon humidities to lead to increased fire danger on Saturday, however, with green up well underway, do not think fuels across the area will be critical. Saturday night-Monday...Moderate to strong southwest flow aloft progged across the region as the Great Basin system lifts out across the northern Rockies on Monday. Pattern keeps the area warm and breezy, with isolated to scattered storms possible over and near the higher terrain. There could be a few stronger storms across the far southeast plains Saturday night and Sunday, with the dry line possibly retrograding back near the Kansas border. Should see temperatures remaining AOA seasonal averages through the period. Tuesday-Wednesday...Latest model guidance is indicating moderate west to southwest flow aloft across the region, with occasional embedded short waves translating across the Rockies. This pattern would lead to generally warm and breezy conditions across the area, with chances of showers and storms associated with the passing waves, mainly over and near the higher terrain. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon) Issued at 1059 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 VFR conditions are anticipated during the next 24h at all 3 taf sites...KPUB...KALS and KCOS. Surface winds will be light and diurnally driven. Brief -TSRA will be possible at the 3 taf sites this afternoon and early evening...with locally gusty winds possible with the -TSRA. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...28 LONG TERM...MW AVIATION...HODANISH
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Topeka KS
657 AM CDT THU MAY 19 2016 ...Update to aviation forecast discussion... .SHORT TERM...(Today and Tonight) Issued at 322 AM CDT THU MAY 19 2016 Early this morning surface high pressure was centered just southwest of the Great Lakes region, resulting in light southerly winds across the forecast area. With the exception of a few mid-level clouds, skies were mostly clear, resulting in decent radiational cooling and early morning temperatures dropping into the mid/upper 40s by sunrise. Despite low dewpoint depressions early this morning, do not anticipate fog development as there isn`t much surface moisture. However, cannot entirely rule out the potential for some isolated areas of very shallow fog, primarily near bodies of water. A mid-level trough was located over New Mexico this morning, and models show this trough gradually lifting northeastward into Kansas by this afternoon and into this evening. While there will be increased moisture advection into the area with this approaching wave, model soundings show only some scattered mid-level clouds by mid to late morning with the better moisture advection and increased cloud cover occurring during the afternoon hours. As a result, expect temperatures to quickly rise this morning, reaching into the 60s by late morning. The temperature rises will slow down during the afternoon with the increased cloud cover, however still expect afternoon high temperatures to reach into the upper 60s to around 70 degrees. Expect increased lift to extend northward into the forecast area by mid to late afternoon as the mid-level trough advances into the area. This increased moisture and lift should support the development of some scattered showers, possibly as early as by mid- afternoon, with better chances during the late evening and overnight hours as the trough tracks overhead. Models show the potential for some weak and very shallow instability, but don`t feel it`s enough to support thunderstorm development. The best potential for these light rain showers will be focused across east central Kansas, with there being some model uncertainty with just how far west these isolated to scattered showers may develop across the forecast area. QPF amounts should be low at around one-tenth of an inch or less. With the overcast skies in place, expect temperatures to be a few degrees warmer tonight with lows in the lower 50s. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) Issued at 322 AM CDT THU MAY 19 2016 Upper trough till move off to the east and into Missouri by Friday afternoon and should bring an end to the showers by late morning in northeast and east central Kansas. An upper level ridge builds into the Plains as an upper level low and trough gradually builds eastward into the western U.S. Friday night and Saturday. A few elevated showers or storms may develop within the low level jet early Saturday across parts of western and central Kansas and may just clip some of the southwest counties early Saturday. Temperatures will also be on the rise as the ridge builds in and heights rise, should see highs in the mid 70s after morning lows in the 50s. Elevated showers or thunderstorms will be possible across western Kansas and could clip parts of north central Kansas late Saturday night and early Sunday. Later Sunday night storms firing off the dryline in western Kansas as waves eject northeast out into the Plains may maintain themselves and move into north central Kansas and northeast Kansas. A pacific front along with the dryline will push east and southeast into north central and southwest Kansas by 12Z Monday morning. The frontal boundary will be a focus for additional storms in the afternoon as another wave in the southwest flow works its way across the Plains. Shear and instability are favorable for strong to severe storms across parts of the area. The boundary looks to stall or retreat westward as a stronger wave dives southward in the base of the upper trough on Tuesday. Expect ongoing morning convection across northeast Kansas on Tuesday with possible redevelopment in the afternoon along the front upper level trough will move out of the Rockies and into the Plains on Thursday. Retreating surface high will initiate southerly flow into the central and eastern Kansas. Lift increases in the afternoon hours as the upper trough moves into central Kansas in the afternoon, that combined with increasing moisture will set the stage for some light showers to develop in the afternoon. The upper trough will move over eastern Kansas Thursday night with the trough axis moving off into Missouri by the afternoon hours. With weak lapse rates expect showers primarily. An upper level ridge builds in the area Saturday with dry weather expected along with warming temperatures. An upper level trough will be in place across the western U.S. Sunday. A wave is forecast to eject out of the base of the trough and clip western Kansas. Highs pressure ridge extending from the Great Lakes southwest into eastern Kansas on Sunday will focus the best moisture return into the High Plains of western Kansas. Storms moving off of the dryline may maintain and move into central Kansas late in the day. Veering low level jet may maintain a cluster of storms which may affect north central and northeast Kansas. Moisture and instability axis will be focused across central and eastern Kansas ahead of a dryline in western Kansas. A frontal boundary will move southeast into western parts of central Kansas by Tuesday morning as an upper level trough tracks northeast out of the Rockies and across the Northern Plains Monday night. With southwest flow across the Plains and ejecting waves out of the western trough expect on and off again chances for showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday. Shear, instability and moisture will be favorable ahead of the dryline and frontal boundary for strong to severe storms across eastern Kansas Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures will gradually warm each day with highs in the 70s for the weekend and in the lower 80s for Monday and Tuesday.ontal boundary in central Kansas. Storm chances continue into Wednesday with the upper trough moving east across the Rockies and into the High Plains by Thursday morning. Wave will eject northeast across Kansas and with the frontal boundary near the western counties expect thunderstorms to develop in the afternoon and move northeast across the area. Temperatures are expected to warm into the 80s for the Monday through Wednesday time period and overnight lows primarily in the 60s. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Friday Morning) Issued at 639 AM CDT THU MAY 19 2016 For the 12z TAFs, expect increasing low and mid-level cloud cover through the day and into tonight as a system lifts northward into the area. While cigs should remain VFR for KTOP/KFOE, model soundings suggest that borderline MVFR/VFR cigs will be possible overnight at KMHK. While models show scattered rain showers developing across the area with this advancing wave, there is a vast spread amongst the model solutions regarding (a) the timing of precipitation lifting northward into the area, and (b) what locations have the best potential for seeing this scattered precipitation. Several models were holding off on these scattered showers near the TAF sites until this evening, however recent runs of the HRRR and RAP suggest these showers may move over the TAF sites as early as this afternoon. Due to the uncertainty in timing and location, only have a mention of VCSH at this time for KTOP/KFOE. && .TOP Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...Hennecke LONG TERM...53 AVIATION...Hennecke Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 325 AM MDT SAT MAY 21 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Sunday) Issued at 305 AM MDT Sat May 21 2016 The center of a large low pressure system continues rotating in place over southeast Oregon. Its cold front will stretch north to south across Utah today and make little progress east. The strong low level wind band and jet stream will also slowly move east over western and central Utah. This will cause surface winds to nudge up again today. Increasing cloud cover may inhibit some mixing but given the predicted gradient it shouldn`t matter much. The wind advisories for eastern Utah (with the exception of the Eastern Uinta Basin) and portions of extreme western Colorado are well justified. Have held off expanding them further east as the tighter pressure gradient doesn`t seem to spread much east of the colorado and utah border until this evening and overnight. On Sunday the low center makes little progress east and instead lifts to the northeast into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front will move through the forecast area, but the strongest forcing will remain across the north. The portion of the system moving through the forecast area will remain moisture starved so only isolated at best thunderstorm coverage is expected. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday morning) Issued at 305 AM MDT Sat May 21 2016 Turbulence from strong south to southwest winds will be widespread the next 24 hours. All taf sites will experience windy conditions. There is a chance that blowing dust may affect visibility over the area, especially over southeast Utah and southwest Colorado. Low level wind shear is also possible this morning and late tonight. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ003. Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ001-006-020. UT...Wind Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ023-025-028. Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...CC LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...CC
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1140 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Windy and mild continue through these periods. This early afternoon, southwest winds have been in the 30s to low 40s mph in the western valleys, 40s to mid 50s in the western mountains. These winds will be increasing over the next 36 hours as the upper Low over northern California tracks slowly to the northeast. Gusty winds are expected to continue and strengthen over high exposed terrain tonight, even mixing into a few western valley locations. Elsewhere valleys will have shallow inversions keeping overnight low temperatures mild. MSLP gradient and 700-600MB winds increase on Saturday. Therefore have issued another Wind Advisory for eastern Utah including the mountains, and spreading a bit further into far western Colorado. Another mild night expected Saturday night as a cold front works across Utah. Afternoon convection has been minimal and less than forecasted. Overall this spring the models seem to be overproducing QPF. Therefore have lowered POPs for the weekend. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front works through the forecast area, strongest forcing across the north. But the moisture will have eroded from PW values around 0.7 inch now to around 0.3 on Sunday. So showers will be minimal. An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Saturday night) Issued at 1140 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 There will be little chance for showers across eastern Utah and western Colorado during the remainder of the night as drier air originating from the southwest moves overhead. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop over the eastern Uinta mountains during the afternoon as the cold front associated with the deep low pressure system over the Pacific Northwest pushes into northeast Utah. This activity will continue into the evening. However, there remains little chance for showers at airports across the region and therefore, VFR conditions will prevail with CIGS remaining above ILS breakpoints. However, as the pressure gradient increases ahead of the front winds aloft will strengthen from the southwest. This will result in low level wind shear at some airports across the area until midday when daytime heating causes winds aloft to mix with the surface layer. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ003. Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ001-006-020. UT...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ023-025-028. Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...NL
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 847 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Windy and mild continue through these periods. This early afternoon, southwest winds have been in the 30s to low 40s mph in the western valleys, 40s to mid 50s in the western mountains. These winds will be increasing over the next 36 hours as the upper Low over northern California tracks slowly to the northeast. Gusty winds are expected to continue and strengthen over high exposed terrain tonight, even mixing into a few western valley locations. Elsewhere valleys will have shallow inversions keeping overnight low temperatures mild. MSLP gradient and 700-600MB winds increase on Saturday. Therefore have issued another Wind Advisory for eastern Utah including the mountains, and spreading a bit further into far western Colorado. Another mild night expected Saturday night as a cold front works across Utah. Afternoon convection has been minimal and less than forecasted. Overall this spring the models seem to be overproducing QPF. Therefore have lowered POPs for the weekend. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front works through the forecast area, strongest forcing across the north. But the moisture will have eroded from PW values around 0.7 inch now to around 0.3 on Sunday. So showers will be minimal. An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday Evening) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 VFR conditions dominate. Isolated mainly mountain thunderstorms should be circumnavigable. moderate to strong turbulence is the main threat as southwest winds will gust to 30-40 mph this afternoon and again on Saturday. Tonight strong southwest winds will continue over higher terrain mixing into western TAF sites at times, including KCNY KTEX. Low level wind shear will be possible at all TAF sites through 18z Saturday when the inversions are expected to break. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ003. Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ001-006-020. UT...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ023-025-028. Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...JOE
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 728 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 728 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Only isolated showers were able to briefly push through the cirrus shield over the forecast area this afternoon, and those have all dissipated. 00Z soundings from Denver and Grand Junction show a stable layer, more pronounced on the Grand Junction sounding. The cap is expected to remain in place through the rest of the night so no further storm threat. The eastern plains will see another round of low clouds and fog, and even some drizzle overnight as moisture continues to increase in stronger southeast flow. The low clouds and fog may wrap back as far as the northern sections of Denver by early Saturday morning with the aid of a Denver cyclone, but main threat would be from northern Larimer and Weld counties east and southeast to around Akron, Limon, and points east. Overall forecast on track, just removed evening thunder and added areas of drizzle to the eastern plains. Also increased winds on the plains Saturday afternoon with good mixing and strong pressure gradient in place. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 220 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Current radar and satellite imagery showing increasing convection over the foothills and northern portions of the CWA. The surface low that was in place on the lee side of the mountains has degraded bringing sfc flow more southerly over the eastern portions of the CWA. A dry line is setting up along a line from Weld county SE into Washington that will increase CAPE and convection in that region for storms moving off the northern foothills. Steering flow is SE so many storms may instead move into WY vs east across our northern counties. Still maintain a chance of thunderstorms in the mountains and foothills with a slight chance on the plains. Further south mid level temperatures will most likely be too warm for much convection so storms will most likely produce some light rain and gusty winds. For tonight the storms will wind down around 5 pm and storms will end from west to east. Pressure falls ahead of an approaching trough over CA will again turn winds on the plains more SE. This will help to usher in increasing moisture west onto the plains. Models are indicating a Denver cyclone setting up to the north of the city that will help to pull moisture more west. At this time will keep the city of Denver and DIA under patchy fog conditions with heavier areas of fog further east and north. This low fog and increased moisture will lift into a lowered stratus that will delay initial warming...however with dry SW flow increasing through the day conditions should still warm to lower 80s for much of the plains. Convection is looking less probable with most areas capped. Kept a slight chance of storms in the mountains with decent lapse and CAPE values above 1000 j/kg at higher elevations but have kept it mostly over the far eastern portions of the CWA for late afternoon. Do not expect severe but light to moderate rainshowers and gusty winds will be possible with the stronger storms. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 220 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Drier air will move over the area Saturday night. There will just be a slight chance for thunderstorms during the evening over the northern mountains and far eastern plains. Sunday will be warm ahead of a cold front that will push through during the day. Highs are expected to be in the mid 70s to lower 80s across northeast Colorado. Moisture is somewhat limited Sunday and will keep convection isolated. Best chance for storms will be over the higher terrain and northeast corner of the state. If enough moisture hangs on over the northeast corner there could be a couple strong to severe thunderstorms. It will be cooler Monday behind this system. There should be enough moisture and instability for another round of isolated showers and thunderstorms. Most of them will be found over the higher terrain. A weak southwest flow aloft will persist Tuesday through Friday over Colorado. Mainly isolated afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms are expected. May be a better chance for storms Thursday and Friday as an upper level trough moves into the central Rockies. Temperatures will be at or slightly below normal Tuesday through Friday. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 728 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 VFR conditions will prevail, although there is still a brief window of fog potential from 12Z-15Z Saturday. Denver cyclone will support stratus and fog development over the eastern plains, wrapping it back toward the Front Range late tonight and early Saturday morning. Main threat is still from KFNL and KGXY east to KAKO, KLIC, and points east. At KDEN and KBJC probability of fog is only about 20% right now, but still something to watch closely as any fog development would likely take the visibility down to 1/4SM. No threat of thunder for the Front Range airports and KDEN through Saturday evening. Southerly winds near 15-20 knots with a few gusts near 25 knots til 06z gradually weakening and becoming variable by Saturday morning. Then expect them to increase again and have bumped up KDEN and KAPA to near 20 knots with gusts 25-30 knots expected to develop by 20Z Saturday during peak heating and mixing. && .BOU Watches/Warnings/Advisories... None. && $$ UPDATE...Barjenbruch SHORT TERM...Bowen LONG TERM...Meier AVIATION...Barjenbruch
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 608 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 607 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Quick update to incorporate latest obs and satellite data. Pared back pops to just isolated over the higher terrain for a few hours this eve, otherwise feel that the HRR is overdone. Rest of forecast package looks good at this time, with some fog developing and moving into portions of the e plains overnight. Moore && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Not many adjustments required from earlier forecast reasoning with primary near/short term meteorological concerns for the forecast district being isolated pops, areas of low clouds and fog developing over eastern sections later tonight, temperatures and gusty winds at times. Forecast district currently graced by variable clouds, locally gusty winds, isolated shower and thunderstorm activity, primarily to the north of the CWFA and generally above seasonal late May afternoon temperatures. Recent real-time data, PV analysis, forecast model soundings and computer simulations indicate that relatively dry southwesterly upper flow will prevail over the forecast district during the next 24 hours, however enough atmospheric moisture interacting with the daily orographic heating cycle and a passing weak upper disturbance will be capable of generating isolated showers and thunderstorms(some potentially strong at times), into this evening, primarily over eastern portions of the CWFA. In addition, have depicted areas of low clouds and fog developing later tonight over primarily eastern portions of the forecast district. Gusty winds are also anticipated at times during the next 24 hours, however per recent direction of area land agencies, will refrain from any fire weather highlights as fuels are not favorable. Finally, above seasonal temperatures are expected to continue over the majority of the forecast district during the next 24 hours. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 A generally dry and warm period is anticipated during this long term forecast period as the region will be under modest southwesterly flow aloft. I anticipate the dryline will remain primarily to the east of the forecast area...so the probability of severe convection is low. the only exception to this may be late in the period as the guidance shows a stronger disturbance moving across the region during the Thursday/Friday time frame. for later this weekend (Sunday)...it will be quite warm...dry and windy across the region. Meteorological conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior...however after talking to the folks at Pueblo Dispatch...fuels are not conducive to rapid spread. Likewise...no fire weather hilites will be issued. Max temps both days will be well into the 80s across the Plains...and a 90 or two is not out of the question. Southwest wind gusts to 25 to 35 mph are likely. a cold front will cross the area Sunday night...and a bit cooler weather is expected for Monday. However...it will remain quite dry in the low levels after fropa...and very little if any thunder is expected over the region Monday afternoon. If thunder does occur...it will likely be in the Pikes Peak region and central mtn areas. Dry southwesterly flow at lower levels will likely develop once again Tuesday and last into Thursday. By late in the week...the stronger disturbance discussed above will move across the region and this may back the llvl winds enough to bring llvl moisture into the region which may allow for thunderstorms over the plains late Thu afternoon and possibly Fri afternoon. This disturbance late in the week will also bring a better chance of tsra to the mtns. /Hodanish && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Isolated later afternoon into evening showers and thunderstorms will be possible over sections of the district...primarily near the KCOS taf site into this evening. However, still anticipate that southwesterly upper flow will allow VFR conditions to continue over the KALS, KCOS and KPUB taf sites into Saturday. In addition, have also depicted areas of low clouds/fog over some eastern locations from later tonight into early Saturday morning, with low clouds/areas of fog possibly encroaching the KCOS and KPUB taf sites during this time-frame...WFO PUB will monitor closely. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...MOORE SHORT TERM...77 LONG TERM...HODANISH AVIATION...77
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 342 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Windy and mild continue through these periods. This early afternoon, southwest winds have been in the 30s to low 40s mph in the western valleys, 40s to mid 50s in the western mountains. These winds will be increasing over the next 36 hours as the upper Low over northern California tracks slowly to the northeast. Gusty winds are expected to continue and strengthen over high exposed terrain tonight, even mixing into a few western valley locations. Elsewhere valleys will have shallow inversions keeping overnight low temperatures mild. MSLP gradient and 700-600MB winds increase on Saturday. Therefore have issued another Wind Advisory for eastern Utah including the mountains, and spreading a bit further into far western Colorado. Another mild night expected Saturday night as a cold front works across Utah. Afternoon convection has been minimal and less than forecasted. Overall this spring the models seem to be overproducing QPF. Therefore have lowered POPs for the weekend. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front works through the forecast area, strongest forcing across the north. But the moisture will have eroded from PW values around 0.7 inch now to around 0.3 on Sunday. So showers will be minimal. An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday Evening) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 VFR conditions dominate. Isolated mainly mountain thunderstorms should be circumnavigable. moderate to strong turbulence is the main threat as southwest winds will gust to 30-40 mph this afternoon and again on Saturday. Tonight strong southwest winds will continue over higher terrain mixing into western TAF sites at times, including KCNY KTEX. Low level wind shear will be possible at all TAF sites through 18z Saturday when the inversions are expected to break. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...JOE
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 337 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Not many adjustments required from earlier forecast reasoning with primary near/short term meteorological concerns for the forecast district being isolated pops, areas of low clouds and fog developing over eastern sections later tonight, temperatures and gusty winds at times. Forecast district currently graced by variable clouds, locally gusty winds, isolated shower and thunderstorm activity, primarily to the north of the CWFA and generally above seasonal late May afternoon temperatures. Recent real-time data, PV analysis, forecast model soundings and computer simulations indicate that relatively dry southwesterly upper flow will prevail over the forecast district during the next 24 hours, however enough atmospheric moisture interacting with the daily orographic heating cycle and a passing weak upper disturbance will be capable of generating isolated showers and thunderstorms(some potentially strong at times), into this evening, primarily over eastern portions of the CWFA. In addition, have depicted areas of low clouds and fog developing later tonight over primarily eastern portions of the forecast district. Gusty winds are also anticipated at times during the next 24 hours, however per recent direction of area land agencies, will refrain from any fire weather highlights as fuels are not favorable. Finally, above seasonal temperatures are expected to continue over the majority of the forecast district during the next 24 hours. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 A generally dry and warm period is anticipated during this long term forecast period as the region will be under modest southwesterly flow aloft. I anticipate the dryline will remain primarily to the east of the forecast area...so the probability of severe convection is low. the only exception to this may be late in the period as the guidance shows a stronger disturbance moving across the region during the Thursday/Friday time frame. for later this weekend (Sunday)...it will be quite warm...dry and windy across the region. Meteorological conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior...however after talking to the folks at Pueblo Dispatch...fuels are not conducive to rapid spread. Likewise...no fire weather hilites will be issued. Max temps both days will be well into the 80s across the Plains...and a 90 or two is not out of the question. Southwest wind gusts to 25 to 35 mph are likely. a cold front will cross the area Sunday night...and a bit cooler weather is expected for Monday. However...it will remain quite dry in the low levels after fropa...and very little if any thunder is expected over the region Monday afternoon. If thunder does occur...it will likely be in the Pikes Peak region and central mtn areas. Dry southwesterly flow at lower levels will likely develop once again Tuesday and last into Thursday. By late in the week...the stronger disturbance discussed above will move across the region and this may back the llvl winds enough to bring llvl moisture into the region which may allow for thunderstorms over the plains late Thu afternoon and possibly Fri afternoon. This disturbance late in the week will also bring a better chance of tsra to the mtns. /Hodanish && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Isolated later afternoon into evening showers and thunderstorms will be possible over sections of the district...primarily near the KCOS taf site into this evening. However, still anticipate that southwesterly upper flow will allow VFR conditions to continue over the KALS, KCOS and KPUB taf sites into Saturday. In addition, have also depicted areas of low clouds/fog over some eastern locations from later tonight into early Saturday morning, with low clouds/areas of fog possibly encroaching the KCOS and KPUB taf sites during this time-frame...WFO PUB will monitor closely. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...77 LONG TERM...HODANISH AVIATION...77
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1130 AM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Saturday) Issued at 323 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 The shortrange models appear on track in positioning the low center along the Oregon coast this morning. Satellite images show the circulation center over extreme sw Oregon and sliding gradually east. The jet curved cyclonically from the San Francisco area over central Nevada then turn more to the north over western Montana. The tightest gradient was edging toward western Utah. This wind band will move east today and cause winds to increase over eastern UT and western CO this afternoon and evening. The gradient should be tight enough to bring wind advisory level wind speeds to the lower elevations of SE UT and extreme NW CO. Gusts to 45 mph are probable. The only factor that could hamper this will be the band of mid and high cloud the will advect over the area. The main wind band is projected over the forecast area Saturday so believe windy conditions will continue. Cloud cover should thicken as well so have held off and any wind highlights at this time as the cloud cover may interfere with vertical mixing. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. This will bring increased coverage of thundershowers especially to the northern mountains. A cold frontal passage in the afternoon will provide a storm focus and then a cool down for the first half of the new week. Snow level stills remains relatively high, around 10000 ft MSL. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave now timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1125 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 SOME MID TO HIGH LEVEL CLOUDS WILL CONTINUE TO STREAM ACROSS THE AREA BUT TAF SITES WILL REMAIN VFR. MAIN CONCERN WILL BE GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS REACHING 30 TO 40 MPH AT TIMES THROUGH 02Z OR SO. SIMILAR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED AGAIN TOMORROW WITH WINDS POSSIBLY GETTING A LITTLE STRONGER AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT TIGHTENS. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ001. UT...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...CC LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...TGR
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1126 AM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 451 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Increased coverage of stratus and fog across Pueblo county through the early morning. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Current water vapor imagery and upper air analysis indicating generally weak west to southwest flow aloft across the state with upper level ridging building across the Rockies ahead of broad upper trough digging across the West Coast at this time. Water vapor imagery is also indicating mid and upper level moisture streaming out ahead of this system across the Desert Southwest and into the Great Basin. At the surface, a deepening LHX low and associated east to southeast low level winds across the far southeast plains is keeping dew pts in the upper 30s to upper 40s, and has helped to develop stratus from eastern portions of El Paso county through portions of Otero, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties at this time. Today and Tonight... No big changes to ongoing forecast, with slowly increasing southwest flow aloft expected across the region as the West Coast upper trough continues to dig into the Desert Southwest, pushing the upper ridge across the far eastern plains and into western Kansas tonight. Warming aloft, denoted by WAA clouds spreading into western CO at this time, will continue to warm temperatures back to at and above seasonal levels today, with highs in the 70s and 80s across the lower elevations and mainly 50s and 60s across the higher terrain. Models continue to indicate enough moisture in place to support isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area this afternoon and evening, with the best coverage expected across the central mountains into the Pikes Peak region. Surface low pressure to persist across the plains today, with breezy east to southeast winds helping to advect low level moisture across the far southeast plains into northeastern CO through the afternoon...where latest SPC outlook has a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms today. With the upper ridge building across the southeast plains, convection looks to be capped today, however, storms which can develop across the Pikes Peak region could quickly strengthen as they move north and east off the Palmer Dvd and into northeastern CO. Convection to diminish and end after sun set with clearing skies overnight, save the far se plains, where could see some stratus develop once again overnight. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Western U.S. upper low drifts slowly back northward on Saturday, keeping deep southwest flow in place across all of southern Colorado. Moisture across the region looks very limited, with just some weak, high-based convection possible over the central mountains. Over the plains, dryline will be lurking near the KS border, but most model guidance keeps deeper moisture/instability just east of the state line, and will go with a dry forecast over the plains for now. Deep mixing Saturday will lead to very warm and breezy conditions area-wide, and a few locations on the plains will approach 90f by late afternoon. Upper low tracks northeastward into Canada Sunday, with southwest flow continuing across Colorado. Dryline appears to mix well east of the KS border in the afternoon, and will keep pops out of the plains once again as dry air mass spreads eastward from the mountains. Mid levels do moisten slightly by afternoon over the higher terrain, and may be just enough instability for some high based -tsra, though with dry surface layer, precip will likely be very light. All of the area will see another day of very warm and windy conditions, though max temps may drift downward a couple degf as heights fall slightly by Sat evening. Weak cold front drops south through the plains Sunday evening, though any upslope surge should be short-lived as new energy drops into the western U.S. upper trough, with southwest flow reforming a lee surface low over ern CO during the day Mon. Moisture remains limited Mon, with again only a few high based mountain storms possible. Pattern persists Tue/Wed as wrn trough continues to deepen, keeping sw flow aloft in place with only limited moisture across the area. Models hint at occasional shallow moisture sloshing into ern CO both Tue and Wed mornings, before mixing quickly eastward as dry sw flow reaches the surface later in the day. Will keep mainly just some low pops in place over the mountains for both Tue and Wed afternoons, though again precip coverage/intensity will be rather sparse/weak. Deeper moisture makes a better push into southern CO Thu/Fri as energy from the western trough finally begins to push eastward and gives cold front a stronger shove southward. Still some timing differences among various models, but main message is a gradual increase in precip chances both days as moisture and lift both ramp up. Max temps Mon-Wed will stay rather warm, then drift downward slowly late week as cooler air filters south. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1134 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 ALTHOUGH ISOLATED AFTERNOON AND EVENING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF THE DISTRICT...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE KCOS TAF SITE...ANTICIPATE THAT SOUTHWESTERLY UPPER FLOW WILL ALLOW GENERALLY VFR CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE OVER THE KALS...KCOS AND KPUB TAF SITES DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 422 AM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Current water vapor imagery and upper air analysis indicating generally weak west to southwest flow aloft across the state with upper level ridging building across the Rockies ahead of broad upper trough digging across the West Coast at this time. Water vapor imagery is also indicating mid and upper level moisture streaming out ahead of this system across the Desert Southwest and into the Great Basin. At the surface, a deepening LHX low and associated east to southeast low level winds across the far southeast plains is keeping dew pts in the upper 30s to upper 40s, and has helped to develop stratus from eastern portions of El Paso county through portions of Otero, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties at this time. Today and Tonight... No big changes to ongoing forecast, with slowly increasing southwest flow aloft expected across the region as the West Coast upper trough continues to dig into the Desert Southwest, pushing the upper ridge across the far eastern plains and into western Kansas tonight. Warming aloft, denoted by WAA clouds spreading into western CO at this time, will continue to warm temperatures back to at and above seasonal levels today, with highs in the 70s and 80s across the lower elevations and mainly 50s and 60s across the higher terrain. Models continue to indicate enough moisture in place to support isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area this afternoon and evening, with the best coverage expected across the central mountains into the Pikes Peak region. Surface low pressure to persist across the plains today, with breezy east to southeast winds helping to advect low level moisture across the far southeast plains into northeastern CO through the afternoon...where latest SPC outlook has a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms today. With the upper ridge building across the southeast plains, convection looks to be capped today, however, storms which can develop across the Pikes Peak region could quickly strengthen as they move north and east off the Palmer Dvd and into northeastern CO. Convection to diminish and end after sun set with clearing skies overnight, save the far se plains, where could see some stratus develop once again overnight. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Western U.S. upper low drifts slowly back northward on Saturday, keeping deep southwest flow in place across all of southern Colorado. Moisture across the region looks very limited, with just some weak, high-based convection possible over the central mountains. Over the plains, dryline will be lurking near the KS border, but most model guidance keeps deeper moisture/instability just east of the state line, and will go with a dry forecast over the plains for now. Deep mixing Saturday will lead to very warm and breezy conditions area-wide, and a few locations on the plains will approach 90f by late afternoon. Upper low tracks northeastward into Canada Sunday, with southwest flow continuing across Colorado. Dryline appears to mix well east of the KS border in the afternoon, and will keep pops out of the plains once again as dry air mass spreads eastward from the mountains. Mid levels do moisten slightly by afternoon over the higher terrain, and may be just enough instability for some high based -tsra, though with dry surface layer, precip will likely be very light. All of the area will see another day of very warm and windy conditions, though max temps may drift downward a couple degf as heights fall slightly by Sat evening. Weak cold front drops south through the plains Sunday evening, though any upslope surge should be short-lived as new energy drops into the western U.S. upper trough, with southwest flow reforming a lee surface low over ern CO during the day Mon. Moisture remains limited Mon, with again only a few high based mountain storms possible. Pattern persists Tue/Wed as wrn trough continues to deepen, keeping sw flow aloft in place with only limited moisture across the area. Models hint at occasional shallow moisture sloshing into ern CO both Tue and Wed mornings, before mixing quickly eastward as dry sw flow reaches the surface later in the day. Will keep mainly just some low pops in place over the mountains for both Tue and Wed afternoons, though again precip coverage/intensity will be rather sparse/weak. Deeper moisture makes a better push into southern CO Thu/Fri as energy from the western trough finally begins to push eastward and gives cold front a stronger shove southward. Still some timing differences among various models, but main message is a gradual increase in precip chances both days as moisture and lift both ramp up. Max temps Mon-Wed will stay rather warm, then drift downward slowly late week as cooler air filters south. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Saturday morning) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 COS, PUB and ALS should remain VFR for the next 24 hours. There is some patchy stratus across eastern El Paso county this morning, though this should not make into COS terminal. There also remains a low probability of a few afternoon and evening storms over the eastern mts and Palmer Divide, but do not expect them to impact the VC COS. Winds will be a bit stronger today with surface winds 10-20 KTS generally from the SE over the plains and S-SW over the San Luis Valley. Convection to diminish after sun set with clearing skies overnight. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...MW LONG TERM...PETERSEN AVIATION...MW
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1101 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Forecast models are consistent and add confidence for forecast details. The upper low over Washington state will sink into northern California on Friday. Northwest flow aloft this evening backs to southwest on Friday with the strongest gradient over Utah. Afternoon wind gusts of around 45 mph are expected so a Wind Advisory has been issued for SE Utah and far NW Colorado. These stronger wind gusts should diminish in the valleys early Friday evening though exposed higher terrain should have gusty winds through the night. There is enough residual moisture to set off late- day, mainly- mountain convection. Associated virga or light showers could produce locally stronger winds. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Saturday, the low works into eastern Oregon stretched across the western Great Basin. Southwest gradient winds will increase a few mph, but cloud cover may inhibit vertical mixing and valley wind gusts somewhat. Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. This will bring increased coverage of thundershowers especially to the northern mountains. A cold frontal passage in the afternoon will provide a storm focus and then a cool down for the first half of the new week. Snow level stills remains relatively high, around 10000 ft MSL. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave now timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night) Issued at 1101 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Isolated showers over the higher terrain will continue here and there through midmorning, but pose little threat to airport operations. Showers and embedded thunderstorms will increase in coverage and intensity over the higher terrain from late morning into the evening in response to daytime warming. Meanwhile, winds will become strong as a storm system moves southward into northern California and northwest Nevada, especially over southeast Utah and northwest Colorado. Wind gusts in excess of 45 MPH are likely in the areas just mentioned, but will decrease after 8 PM MDT. Outflow winds from thunderstorms could top 50 MPH. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for COZ001. UT...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...NL
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1051 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 839 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Showers and thunderstorms will continue to weaken over the next few hours as nocturnal processes become dominant. Decided to cut down pops over the Rampart, Wet, and Sangre de Cristo Mtns as shower activity continues to wane. Latest model guidance continues to suggest shower activity moving into the Central Mtns from the west during the early morning hours...thus decided to rise pops slightly over the Central and northern San Juan Mtns. Otherwise, the current forecast remains on track. Lukinbeal/Mozley && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Currently... Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms were occurring across the region at 2 pm. the best coverage of storms were over the Wet and Sangre mtns. a few showers/-tsra were noted over the I-25 corridor and san luis valley. upper low was located over the sc KS area and flow aloft was from the N-NW. This flow was allowing for a few showers to move onto the plains. Temps across the region were seasonable...with readings in the 50s to L70s across the Plains...and 50s and 60s in the valleys. Rest of today into tonight... Scattered showers will continue over the higher trrn with more isold activity expected over the valleys and the plains adjacent to the mtns into the early evening hours. Once the sun sets...showers will come to an end. The only exception will be the Central mtns were some showers may approach this region towards sunrise as a weak disturbance moves across the central part of the State. Temps tonight will be seasonable with lows in the 40s across the plains and 30s in the valleys. /Hodanish Tomorrow... Drier sw flow aloft moves over the fcst region. Although we will see some isold tsra over the mtns and possibly the plains...I expect we will see less coverage than what we have seen today. Temperatures will continue to warm...and expect another 10 degree warming...with highs in the mid 80s across a good part of the Plains. Overall best chance of precip tomorrow will likely be the c mtn area. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Friday night through Sunday...Long range models agree on placing an upper low pressure system over the West Coast Fri night and Sat, producing brisk SW flow aloft across the 4 Corners as well as very warm temps for the forecast area. Save for isolated convection over the mts, and mainly the central mts, each aftn and eve, conditions will remain dry for much of the CWA. Look for max temps in the upper 60s to mid 70s for the high valleys, and upper 70s to upper 80s for the plains. The upper low migrates to the north and slides across the Northern Rockies on Sun, pushing a cold front down into eastern CO Sun night. Monday through Thursday...As the one upper feature passes to the northeast, another upper trough of low pressure develops over Northern CA and the Pacific NW. This will once again produce southwest flow aloft across the 4 Corners. Multiple disturbances in the upper flow will cross the state, serving as the trigger for scattered convection over the mts, and isolated activity for the plains, for Tue and Wed. Therefore, look for isolated mt convection on Mon with aftn temps about 10 degrees cooler than on Sun. Convective activity increases for all areas Tue and Wed, with max temps in the 70s to around 80 F for the plains, and in the 60s for the high valleys. The upper low to the west finally starts to make a move towards CO on Thu, which will likely mean cooler temps and a higher probability for some showers and storms. Moore && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night) Issued at 1044 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 TAF sites should remain VFR for the next 24-30 hours. There is a low probability of a few afternoon and evening storms over the Palmer Divide...but they should not impact the VC KCOS. Winds will be a bit stronger tomorrow...with surface winds generally from the SE over the plains and S-SW over the San Luis Valley. Rose && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...LUKINBEAL/MOZLEY SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...MOORE AVIATION...ROSE
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 853 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 839 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Showers and thunderstorms will continue to weaken over the next few hours as noctoral processes become dominate. Decided to cut down pops over the Rampart, Wet, and Sangre de Cristo Mtns as shower activity continues to wane. Latest model guidance continues to suggest shower activity moving into the Central Mtns from the west during the early morning hours...thus decided to rise pops slightly over the Central and northern San Juan Mtns. Otherwise, the current forecast remains on track. Lukinbeal/Mozley && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Currently... Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms were occurring across the region at 2 pm. the best coverage of storms were over the Wet and Sangre mtns. a few showers/-tsra were noted over the I-25 corridor and san luis valley. upper low was located over the sc KS area and flow aloft was from the N-NW. This flow was allowing for a few showers to move onto the plains. Temps across the region were seasonable...with readings in the 50s to L70s across the Plains...and 50s and 60s in the valleys. Rest of today into tonight... Scattered showers will continue over the higher trrn with more isold activity expected over the valleys and the plains adjacent to the mtns into the early evening hours. Once the sun sets...showers will come to an end. The only exception will be the Central mtns were some showers may approach this region towards sunrise as a weak disturbance moves across the central part of the State. Temps tonight will be seasonable with lows in the 40s across the plains and 30s in the valleys. /Hodanish Tomorrow... Drier sw flow aloft moves over the fcst region. Although we will see some isold tsra over the mtns and possibly the plains...I expect we will see less coverage than what we have seen today. Temperatures will continue to warm...and expect another 10 degree warming...with highs in the mid 80s across a good part of the Plains. Overall best chance of precip tomorrow will likely be the c mtn area. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Friday night through Sunday...Long range models agree on placing an upper low pressure system over the West Coast Fri night and Sat, producing brisk SW flow aloft across the 4 Corners as well as very warm temps for the forecast area. Save for isolated convection over the mts, and mainly the central mts, each aftn and eve, conditions will remain dry for much of the CWA. Look for max temps in the upper 60s to mid 70s for the high valleys, and upper 70s to upper 80s for the plains. The upper low migrates to the north and slides across the Northern Rockies on Sun, pushing a cold front down into eastern CO Sun night. Monday through Thursday...As the one upper feature passes to the northeast, another upper trough of low pressure develops over Northern CA and the Pacific NW. This will once again produce southwest flow aloft across the 4 Corners. Multiple disturbances in the upper flow will cross the state, serving as the trigger for scattered convection over the mts, and isolated activity for the plains, for Tue and Wed. Therefore, look for isolated mt convection on Mon with aftn temps about 10 degrees cooler than on Sun. Convective activity increases for all areas Tue and Wed, with max temps in the 70s to around 80 F for the plains, and in the 60s for the high valleys. The upper low to the west finally starts to make a move towards CO on Thu, which will likely mean cooler temps and a higher probability for some showers and storms. Moore && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 VFR conditions anticipated during the next 24h at all 3 taf sites...kpub...kcos and kals. winds will be light and diurnally driven. isold weak -tsra will be possible this afternoon at evening at all 3 taf sites...but probability is low that they will occur. the best chance of any precip will be over KCOS. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...LUKINBEAL/MOZLEY SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...MOORE AVIATION...HODANISH
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 401 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Forecast models are consistent and add confidence for forecast details. The upper low over Washington state will sink into northern California on Friday. Northwest flow aloft this evening backs to southwest on Friday with the strongest gradient over Utah. Afternoon wind gusts of around 45 mph are expected so a Wind Advisory has been issued for SE Utah and far NW Colorado. These stronger wind gusts should diminish in the valleys early Friday evening though exposed higher terrain should have gusty winds through the night. There is enough residual moisture to set off late- day, mainly- mountain convection. Associated virga or light showers could produce locally stronger winds. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Saturday, the low works into eastern Oregon stretched across the western Great Basin. Southwest gradient winds will increase a few mph, but cloud cover may inhibit vertical mixing and valley wind gusts somewhat. Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. This will bring increased coverage of thundershowers especially to the northern mountains. A cold frontal passage in the afternoon will provide a storm focus and then a cool down for the first half of the new week. Snow level stills remains relatively high, around 10000 ft MSL. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave now timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Most of the scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will end by 03z. some turbulence is expected to develop overnight and southwest winds aloft strengthen. Gusty southwest winds will begin to mix into TAF sites around 18z Saturday. Afternoon gusts of 45 mph are possible mainly at KCNY KTEX with gusts to 30 to 40 mph elsewhere. Isolated afternoon showers and virga threaten locally very strong wind gusts. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for COZ001. UT...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...JOE
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1232 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Friday) Issued at 251 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 A transitory ridge will move across the area today. This will help remove a bit of the moisture that has been over the forecast area and suppress s some of the convective development this afternoon and evening. The next big pacific storm will move down the west coast from the pacnw to northern ca tonight and friday. The ridgeline will move east of the area friday and that will allow increase southerly surface winds ahead of the large trough along the west coast. Have increased wind speeds and gusts across the board friday. The pacific storm will slowly move inland friday but the forecast area should remain under a dry slot. The big story will be increasing south to southwest winds friday afternoon. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Wednesday) Issued at 221 PM MDT Wed May 18 2016 A large upper level low will sink south and then stall in the vicinity of the interior Pac NW states by Saturday. We will be in the tighter gradient region between this low and the ridge of high pressure over the central U.S. Saturday and Sunday which will bring a breezy to windy and warm pattern to our region. Cannot rule out isolated diurnal convection over the higher terrain Friday and Saturday...but should have a little better coverage on Sunday as a minor upper level trough moves through. As the upper level low weakens and moves north, individual shortwave troughs caught in the broad long wave trough over the western U.s. will begin to cross the region every 36 hours or so next week. Precipitable water values will be about half what they are now...so expect only isolated mainly diurnally driven convection over the mountains each day. After Saturday, as the region comes under the trough aloft, temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees below normal through the middle of next week. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon) Issued at 1227 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 isold shower and a few storms will fire this afternoon though coverage is expected to be less than seen yesterday. convection will form over mountains so main concerns aviation-wise will be mtn tafs including kase...kege...and ktex where vcts looks good for now. kmtj and kdro may see some activity but confidence not high enough to include in taf attm. most precip will end by 03z with next concern being gusty winds tomorrow starting after 17z or so. gusts of 30 to even 40 mph are possible at times. the strongest winds are expected over kcny with lesser winds elsewhere. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...None. UT...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...CC LONG TERM...BEN AVIATION...TGR
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1112 AM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 340 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Some low stratus and fog has developed over portions of El Paso county this morning. The San Luis Valley also has some low clouds this morning. The HRRR and nam are suggesting the stratus should dissipate by 15-16z this morning. An upr trof wl be to the east ovr KS and TX today, with a shortwave ridge ovr CO through tonight. There wl be enough mstr ovr the area today for isold to sct showers and tstms to develop ovr the mtns and high valleys, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Could even see a couple showers/storms move out ovr the I-25 corridor. high temps today wl be warmer than yesterday and should generally be just a few degrees below average. by late tonight most if not all pcpn should end. however, toward morning the nam is suggesting an area of pcpn could move into the CONTDVD, but the gfs is dry. it looks like low stratus could develop tonight ovr portions of the sern plains, mainly from KLHX and eastward, although it also looks like portions of El Paso county may also see the low clouds. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) Issued at 340 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Friday-Saturday...A warmer and drier weather pattern continues to be in the offing as upper level ridging builds into the region on Friday, with southwest flow aloft increasing into Saturday ahead of EPAC energy digging across the West Coast and into the Great Basin. Enough residual moisture will be in place to support isolated to scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms both days, mainly over and near the higher terrain. Storms that do develop look to be higher based, with lightning and gusty winds the main threats. Latest models are indicating fairly deep mixing across the area on Saturday supporting breezy south to southwest winds into the afternoon and early evening and pushing dry line well into Kansas. Warming aloft continues across the area with temperatures warming back to at and above seasonal levels with highs in the 70s and 80s across the lower elevations and mainly 50s and 60s across the higher terrain. Breezy winds...warm temps and low afternoon humidities to lead to increased fire danger on Saturday, however, with green up well underway, do not think fuels across the area will be critical. Saturday night-Monday...Moderate to strong southwest flow aloft progged across the region as the Great Basin system lifts out across the northern Rockies on Monday. Pattern keeps the area warm and breezy, with isolated to scattered storms possible over and near the higher terrain. There could be a few stronger storms across the far southeast plains Saturday night and Sunday, with the dry line possibly retrograding back near the Kansas border. Should see temperatures remaining AOA seasonal averages through the period. Tuesday-Wednesday...Latest model guidance is indicating moderate west to southwest flow aloft across the region, with occasional embedded short waves translating across the Rockies. This pattern would lead to generally warm and breezy conditions across the area, with chances of showers and storms associated with the passing waves, mainly over and near the higher terrain. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon) Issued at 1059 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 VFR conditions are anticipated during the next 24h at all 3 taf sites...KPUB...KALS and KCOS. Surface winds will be light and diurnally driven. Brief -TSRA will be possible at the 3 taf sites this afternoon and early evening...with locally gusty winds possible with the -TSRA. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...28 LONG TERM...MW AVIATION...HODANISH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 325 AM MDT SAT MAY 21 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Sunday) Issued at 305 AM MDT Sat May 21 2016 The center of a large low pressure system continues rotating in place over southeast Oregon. Its cold front will stretch north to south across Utah today and make little progress east. The strong low level wind band and jet stream will also slowly move east over western and central Utah. This will cause surface winds to nudge up again today. Increasing cloud cover may inhibit some mixing but given the predicted gradient it shouldn`t matter much. The wind advisories for eastern Utah (with the exception of the Eastern Uinta Basin) and portions of extreme western Colorado are well justified. Have held off expanding them further east as the tighter pressure gradient doesn`t seem to spread much east of the colorado and utah border until this evening and overnight. On Sunday the low center makes little progress east and instead lifts to the northeast into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front will move through the forecast area, but the strongest forcing will remain across the north. The portion of the system moving through the forecast area will remain moisture starved so only isolated at best thunderstorm coverage is expected. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday morning) Issued at 305 AM MDT Sat May 21 2016 Turbulence from strong south to southwest winds will be widespread the next 24 hours. All taf sites will experience windy conditions. There is a chance that blowing dust may affect visibility over the area, especially over southeast Utah and southwest Colorado. Low level wind shear is also possible this morning and late tonight. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ003. Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ001-006-020. UT...Wind Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ023-025-028. Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...CC LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...CC
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1140 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Windy and mild continue through these periods. This early afternoon, southwest winds have been in the 30s to low 40s mph in the western valleys, 40s to mid 50s in the western mountains. These winds will be increasing over the next 36 hours as the upper Low over northern California tracks slowly to the northeast. Gusty winds are expected to continue and strengthen over high exposed terrain tonight, even mixing into a few western valley locations. Elsewhere valleys will have shallow inversions keeping overnight low temperatures mild. MSLP gradient and 700-600MB winds increase on Saturday. Therefore have issued another Wind Advisory for eastern Utah including the mountains, and spreading a bit further into far western Colorado. Another mild night expected Saturday night as a cold front works across Utah. Afternoon convection has been minimal and less than forecasted. Overall this spring the models seem to be overproducing QPF. Therefore have lowered POPs for the weekend. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front works through the forecast area, strongest forcing across the north. But the moisture will have eroded from PW values around 0.7 inch now to around 0.3 on Sunday. So showers will be minimal. An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Saturday night) Issued at 1140 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 There will be little chance for showers across eastern Utah and western Colorado during the remainder of the night as drier air originating from the southwest moves overhead. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop over the eastern Uinta mountains during the afternoon as the cold front associated with the deep low pressure system over the Pacific Northwest pushes into northeast Utah. This activity will continue into the evening. However, there remains little chance for showers at airports across the region and therefore, VFR conditions will prevail with CIGS remaining above ILS breakpoints. However, as the pressure gradient increases ahead of the front winds aloft will strengthen from the southwest. This will result in low level wind shear at some airports across the area until midday when daytime heating causes winds aloft to mix with the surface layer. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ003. Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ001-006-020. UT...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ023-025-028. Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...NL
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 847 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Windy and mild continue through these periods. This early afternoon, southwest winds have been in the 30s to low 40s mph in the western valleys, 40s to mid 50s in the western mountains. These winds will be increasing over the next 36 hours as the upper Low over northern California tracks slowly to the northeast. Gusty winds are expected to continue and strengthen over high exposed terrain tonight, even mixing into a few western valley locations. Elsewhere valleys will have shallow inversions keeping overnight low temperatures mild. MSLP gradient and 700-600MB winds increase on Saturday. Therefore have issued another Wind Advisory for eastern Utah including the mountains, and spreading a bit further into far western Colorado. Another mild night expected Saturday night as a cold front works across Utah. Afternoon convection has been minimal and less than forecasted. Overall this spring the models seem to be overproducing QPF. Therefore have lowered POPs for the weekend. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front works through the forecast area, strongest forcing across the north. But the moisture will have eroded from PW values around 0.7 inch now to around 0.3 on Sunday. So showers will be minimal. An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday Evening) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 VFR conditions dominate. Isolated mainly mountain thunderstorms should be circumnavigable. moderate to strong turbulence is the main threat as southwest winds will gust to 30-40 mph this afternoon and again on Saturday. Tonight strong southwest winds will continue over higher terrain mixing into western TAF sites at times, including KCNY KTEX. Low level wind shear will be possible at all TAF sites through 18z Saturday when the inversions are expected to break. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ003. Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ001-006-020. UT...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ023-025-028. Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...JOE
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 728 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 728 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Only isolated showers were able to briefly push through the cirrus shield over the forecast area this afternoon, and those have all dissipated. 00Z soundings from Denver and Grand Junction show a stable layer, more pronounced on the Grand Junction sounding. The cap is expected to remain in place through the rest of the night so no further storm threat. The eastern plains will see another round of low clouds and fog, and even some drizzle overnight as moisture continues to increase in stronger southeast flow. The low clouds and fog may wrap back as far as the northern sections of Denver by early Saturday morning with the aid of a Denver cyclone, but main threat would be from northern Larimer and Weld counties east and southeast to around Akron, Limon, and points east. Overall forecast on track, just removed evening thunder and added areas of drizzle to the eastern plains. Also increased winds on the plains Saturday afternoon with good mixing and strong pressure gradient in place. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 220 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Current radar and satellite imagery showing increasing convection over the foothills and northern portions of the CWA. The surface low that was in place on the lee side of the mountains has degraded bringing sfc flow more southerly over the eastern portions of the CWA. A dry line is setting up along a line from Weld county SE into Washington that will increase CAPE and convection in that region for storms moving off the northern foothills. Steering flow is SE so many storms may instead move into WY vs east across our northern counties. Still maintain a chance of thunderstorms in the mountains and foothills with a slight chance on the plains. Further south mid level temperatures will most likely be too warm for much convection so storms will most likely produce some light rain and gusty winds. For tonight the storms will wind down around 5 pm and storms will end from west to east. Pressure falls ahead of an approaching trough over CA will again turn winds on the plains more SE. This will help to usher in increasing moisture west onto the plains. Models are indicating a Denver cyclone setting up to the north of the city that will help to pull moisture more west. At this time will keep the city of Denver and DIA under patchy fog conditions with heavier areas of fog further east and north. This low fog and increased moisture will lift into a lowered stratus that will delay initial warming...however with dry SW flow increasing through the day conditions should still warm to lower 80s for much of the plains. Convection is looking less probable with most areas capped. Kept a slight chance of storms in the mountains with decent lapse and CAPE values above 1000 j/kg at higher elevations but have kept it mostly over the far eastern portions of the CWA for late afternoon. Do not expect severe but light to moderate rainshowers and gusty winds will be possible with the stronger storms. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 220 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Drier air will move over the area Saturday night. There will just be a slight chance for thunderstorms during the evening over the northern mountains and far eastern plains. Sunday will be warm ahead of a cold front that will push through during the day. Highs are expected to be in the mid 70s to lower 80s across northeast Colorado. Moisture is somewhat limited Sunday and will keep convection isolated. Best chance for storms will be over the higher terrain and northeast corner of the state. If enough moisture hangs on over the northeast corner there could be a couple strong to severe thunderstorms. It will be cooler Monday behind this system. There should be enough moisture and instability for another round of isolated showers and thunderstorms. Most of them will be found over the higher terrain. A weak southwest flow aloft will persist Tuesday through Friday over Colorado. Mainly isolated afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms are expected. May be a better chance for storms Thursday and Friday as an upper level trough moves into the central Rockies. Temperatures will be at or slightly below normal Tuesday through Friday. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 728 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 VFR conditions will prevail, although there is still a brief window of fog potential from 12Z-15Z Saturday. Denver cyclone will support stratus and fog development over the eastern plains, wrapping it back toward the Front Range late tonight and early Saturday morning. Main threat is still from KFNL and KGXY east to KAKO, KLIC, and points east. At KDEN and KBJC probability of fog is only about 20% right now, but still something to watch closely as any fog development would likely take the visibility down to 1/4SM. No threat of thunder for the Front Range airports and KDEN through Saturday evening. Southerly winds near 15-20 knots with a few gusts near 25 knots til 06z gradually weakening and becoming variable by Saturday morning. Then expect them to increase again and have bumped up KDEN and KAPA to near 20 knots with gusts 25-30 knots expected to develop by 20Z Saturday during peak heating and mixing. && .BOU Watches/Warnings/Advisories... None. && $$ UPDATE...Barjenbruch SHORT TERM...Bowen LONG TERM...Meier AVIATION...Barjenbruch
  [top] Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 608 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 607 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Quick update to incorporate latest obs and satellite data. Pared back pops to just isolated over the higher terrain for a few hours this eve, otherwise feel that the HRR is overdone. Rest of forecast package looks good at this time, with some fog developing and moving into portions of the e plains overnight. Moore && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Not many adjustments required from earlier forecast reasoning with primary near/short term meteorological concerns for the forecast district being isolated pops, areas of low clouds and fog developing over eastern sections later tonight, temperatures and gusty winds at times. Forecast district currently graced by variable clouds, locally gusty winds, isolated shower and thunderstorm activity, primarily to the north of the CWFA and generally above seasonal late May afternoon temperatures. Recent real-time data, PV analysis, forecast model soundings and computer simulations indicate that relatively dry southwesterly upper flow will prevail over the forecast district during the next 24 hours, however enough atmospheric moisture interacting with the daily orographic heating cycle and a passing weak upper disturbance will be capable of generating isolated showers and thunderstorms(some potentially strong at times), into this evening, primarily over eastern portions of the CWFA. In addition, have depicted areas of low clouds and fog developing later tonight over primarily eastern portions of the forecast district. Gusty winds are also anticipated at times during the next 24 hours, however per recent direction of area land agencies, will refrain from any fire weather highlights as fuels are not favorable. Finally, above seasonal temperatures are expected to continue over the majority of the forecast district during the next 24 hours. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 A generally dry and warm period is anticipated during this long term forecast period as the region will be under modest southwesterly flow aloft. I anticipate the dryline will remain primarily to the east of the forecast area...so the probability of severe convection is low. the only exception to this may be late in the period as the guidance shows a stronger disturbance moving across the region during the Thursday/Friday time frame. for later this weekend (Sunday)...it will be quite warm...dry and windy across the region. Meteorological conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior...however after talking to the folks at Pueblo Dispatch...fuels are not conducive to rapid spread. Likewise...no fire weather hilites will be issued. Max temps both days will be well into the 80s across the Plains...and a 90 or two is not out of the question. Southwest wind gusts to 25 to 35 mph are likely. a cold front will cross the area Sunday night...and a bit cooler weather is expected for Monday. However...it will remain quite dry in the low levels after fropa...and very little if any thunder is expected over the region Monday afternoon. If thunder does occur...it will likely be in the Pikes Peak region and central mtn areas. Dry southwesterly flow at lower levels will likely develop once again Tuesday and last into Thursday. By late in the week...the stronger disturbance discussed above will move across the region and this may back the llvl winds enough to bring llvl moisture into the region which may allow for thunderstorms over the plains late Thu afternoon and possibly Fri afternoon. This disturbance late in the week will also bring a better chance of tsra to the mtns. /Hodanish && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Isolated later afternoon into evening showers and thunderstorms will be possible over sections of the district...primarily near the KCOS taf site into this evening. However, still anticipate that southwesterly upper flow will allow VFR conditions to continue over the KALS, KCOS and KPUB taf sites into Saturday. In addition, have also depicted areas of low clouds/fog over some eastern locations from later tonight into early Saturday morning, with low clouds/areas of fog possibly encroaching the KCOS and KPUB taf sites during this time-frame...WFO PUB will monitor closely. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...MOORE SHORT TERM...77 LONG TERM...HODANISH AVIATION...77
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 342 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Windy and mild continue through these periods. This early afternoon, southwest winds have been in the 30s to low 40s mph in the western valleys, 40s to mid 50s in the western mountains. These winds will be increasing over the next 36 hours as the upper Low over northern California tracks slowly to the northeast. Gusty winds are expected to continue and strengthen over high exposed terrain tonight, even mixing into a few western valley locations. Elsewhere valleys will have shallow inversions keeping overnight low temperatures mild. MSLP gradient and 700-600MB winds increase on Saturday. Therefore have issued another Wind Advisory for eastern Utah including the mountains, and spreading a bit further into far western Colorado. Another mild night expected Saturday night as a cold front works across Utah. Afternoon convection has been minimal and less than forecasted. Overall this spring the models seem to be overproducing QPF. Therefore have lowered POPs for the weekend. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. The cold front works through the forecast area, strongest forcing across the north. But the moisture will have eroded from PW values around 0.7 inch now to around 0.3 on Sunday. So showers will be minimal. An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave still timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday Evening) Issued at 340 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 VFR conditions dominate. Isolated mainly mountain thunderstorms should be circumnavigable. moderate to strong turbulence is the main threat as southwest winds will gust to 30-40 mph this afternoon and again on Saturday. Tonight strong southwest winds will continue over higher terrain mixing into western TAF sites at times, including KCNY KTEX. Low level wind shear will be possible at all TAF sites through 18z Saturday when the inversions are expected to break. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...JOE
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 337 PM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Not many adjustments required from earlier forecast reasoning with primary near/short term meteorological concerns for the forecast district being isolated pops, areas of low clouds and fog developing over eastern sections later tonight, temperatures and gusty winds at times. Forecast district currently graced by variable clouds, locally gusty winds, isolated shower and thunderstorm activity, primarily to the north of the CWFA and generally above seasonal late May afternoon temperatures. Recent real-time data, PV analysis, forecast model soundings and computer simulations indicate that relatively dry southwesterly upper flow will prevail over the forecast district during the next 24 hours, however enough atmospheric moisture interacting with the daily orographic heating cycle and a passing weak upper disturbance will be capable of generating isolated showers and thunderstorms(some potentially strong at times), into this evening, primarily over eastern portions of the CWFA. In addition, have depicted areas of low clouds and fog developing later tonight over primarily eastern portions of the forecast district. Gusty winds are also anticipated at times during the next 24 hours, however per recent direction of area land agencies, will refrain from any fire weather highlights as fuels are not favorable. Finally, above seasonal temperatures are expected to continue over the majority of the forecast district during the next 24 hours. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 A generally dry and warm period is anticipated during this long term forecast period as the region will be under modest southwesterly flow aloft. I anticipate the dryline will remain primarily to the east of the forecast area...so the probability of severe convection is low. the only exception to this may be late in the period as the guidance shows a stronger disturbance moving across the region during the Thursday/Friday time frame. for later this weekend (Sunday)...it will be quite warm...dry and windy across the region. Meteorological conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior...however after talking to the folks at Pueblo Dispatch...fuels are not conducive to rapid spread. Likewise...no fire weather hilites will be issued. Max temps both days will be well into the 80s across the Plains...and a 90 or two is not out of the question. Southwest wind gusts to 25 to 35 mph are likely. a cold front will cross the area Sunday night...and a bit cooler weather is expected for Monday. However...it will remain quite dry in the low levels after fropa...and very little if any thunder is expected over the region Monday afternoon. If thunder does occur...it will likely be in the Pikes Peak region and central mtn areas. Dry southwesterly flow at lower levels will likely develop once again Tuesday and last into Thursday. By late in the week...the stronger disturbance discussed above will move across the region and this may back the llvl winds enough to bring llvl moisture into the region which may allow for thunderstorms over the plains late Thu afternoon and possibly Fri afternoon. This disturbance late in the week will also bring a better chance of tsra to the mtns. /Hodanish && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 309 PM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Isolated later afternoon into evening showers and thunderstorms will be possible over sections of the district...primarily near the KCOS taf site into this evening. However, still anticipate that southwesterly upper flow will allow VFR conditions to continue over the KALS, KCOS and KPUB taf sites into Saturday. In addition, have also depicted areas of low clouds/fog over some eastern locations from later tonight into early Saturday morning, with low clouds/areas of fog possibly encroaching the KCOS and KPUB taf sites during this time-frame...WFO PUB will monitor closely. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...77 LONG TERM...HODANISH AVIATION...77
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1130 AM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Saturday) Issued at 323 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 The shortrange models appear on track in positioning the low center along the Oregon coast this morning. Satellite images show the circulation center over extreme sw Oregon and sliding gradually east. The jet curved cyclonically from the San Francisco area over central Nevada then turn more to the north over western Montana. The tightest gradient was edging toward western Utah. This wind band will move east today and cause winds to increase over eastern UT and western CO this afternoon and evening. The gradient should be tight enough to bring wind advisory level wind speeds to the lower elevations of SE UT and extreme NW CO. Gusts to 45 mph are probable. The only factor that could hamper this will be the band of mid and high cloud the will advect over the area. The main wind band is projected over the forecast area Saturday so believe windy conditions will continue. Cloud cover should thicken as well so have held off and any wind highlights at this time as the cloud cover may interfere with vertical mixing. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. This will bring increased coverage of thundershowers especially to the northern mountains. A cold frontal passage in the afternoon will provide a storm focus and then a cool down for the first half of the new week. Snow level stills remains relatively high, around 10000 ft MSL. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave now timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1125 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 SOME MID TO HIGH LEVEL CLOUDS WILL CONTINUE TO STREAM ACROSS THE AREA BUT TAF SITES WILL REMAIN VFR. MAIN CONCERN WILL BE GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS REACHING 30 TO 40 MPH AT TIMES THROUGH 02Z OR SO. SIMILAR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED AGAIN TOMORROW WITH WINDS POSSIBLY GETTING A LITTLE STRONGER AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT TIGHTENS. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ001. UT...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...CC LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...TGR
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1126 AM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 451 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Increased coverage of stratus and fog across Pueblo county through the early morning. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Current water vapor imagery and upper air analysis indicating generally weak west to southwest flow aloft across the state with upper level ridging building across the Rockies ahead of broad upper trough digging across the West Coast at this time. Water vapor imagery is also indicating mid and upper level moisture streaming out ahead of this system across the Desert Southwest and into the Great Basin. At the surface, a deepening LHX low and associated east to southeast low level winds across the far southeast plains is keeping dew pts in the upper 30s to upper 40s, and has helped to develop stratus from eastern portions of El Paso county through portions of Otero, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties at this time. Today and Tonight... No big changes to ongoing forecast, with slowly increasing southwest flow aloft expected across the region as the West Coast upper trough continues to dig into the Desert Southwest, pushing the upper ridge across the far eastern plains and into western Kansas tonight. Warming aloft, denoted by WAA clouds spreading into western CO at this time, will continue to warm temperatures back to at and above seasonal levels today, with highs in the 70s and 80s across the lower elevations and mainly 50s and 60s across the higher terrain. Models continue to indicate enough moisture in place to support isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area this afternoon and evening, with the best coverage expected across the central mountains into the Pikes Peak region. Surface low pressure to persist across the plains today, with breezy east to southeast winds helping to advect low level moisture across the far southeast plains into northeastern CO through the afternoon...where latest SPC outlook has a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms today. With the upper ridge building across the southeast plains, convection looks to be capped today, however, storms which can develop across the Pikes Peak region could quickly strengthen as they move north and east off the Palmer Dvd and into northeastern CO. Convection to diminish and end after sun set with clearing skies overnight, save the far se plains, where could see some stratus develop once again overnight. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Western U.S. upper low drifts slowly back northward on Saturday, keeping deep southwest flow in place across all of southern Colorado. Moisture across the region looks very limited, with just some weak, high-based convection possible over the central mountains. Over the plains, dryline will be lurking near the KS border, but most model guidance keeps deeper moisture/instability just east of the state line, and will go with a dry forecast over the plains for now. Deep mixing Saturday will lead to very warm and breezy conditions area-wide, and a few locations on the plains will approach 90f by late afternoon. Upper low tracks northeastward into Canada Sunday, with southwest flow continuing across Colorado. Dryline appears to mix well east of the KS border in the afternoon, and will keep pops out of the plains once again as dry air mass spreads eastward from the mountains. Mid levels do moisten slightly by afternoon over the higher terrain, and may be just enough instability for some high based -tsra, though with dry surface layer, precip will likely be very light. All of the area will see another day of very warm and windy conditions, though max temps may drift downward a couple degf as heights fall slightly by Sat evening. Weak cold front drops south through the plains Sunday evening, though any upslope surge should be short-lived as new energy drops into the western U.S. upper trough, with southwest flow reforming a lee surface low over ern CO during the day Mon. Moisture remains limited Mon, with again only a few high based mountain storms possible. Pattern persists Tue/Wed as wrn trough continues to deepen, keeping sw flow aloft in place with only limited moisture across the area. Models hint at occasional shallow moisture sloshing into ern CO both Tue and Wed mornings, before mixing quickly eastward as dry sw flow reaches the surface later in the day. Will keep mainly just some low pops in place over the mountains for both Tue and Wed afternoons, though again precip coverage/intensity will be rather sparse/weak. Deeper moisture makes a better push into southern CO Thu/Fri as energy from the western trough finally begins to push eastward and gives cold front a stronger shove southward. Still some timing differences among various models, but main message is a gradual increase in precip chances both days as moisture and lift both ramp up. Max temps Mon-Wed will stay rather warm, then drift downward slowly late week as cooler air filters south. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1134 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 ALTHOUGH ISOLATED AFTERNOON AND EVENING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF THE DISTRICT...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE KCOS TAF SITE...ANTICIPATE THAT SOUTHWESTERLY UPPER FLOW WILL ALLOW GENERALLY VFR CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE OVER THE KALS...KCOS AND KPUB TAF SITES DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 422 AM MDT FRI MAY 20 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Current water vapor imagery and upper air analysis indicating generally weak west to southwest flow aloft across the state with upper level ridging building across the Rockies ahead of broad upper trough digging across the West Coast at this time. Water vapor imagery is also indicating mid and upper level moisture streaming out ahead of this system across the Desert Southwest and into the Great Basin. At the surface, a deepening LHX low and associated east to southeast low level winds across the far southeast plains is keeping dew pts in the upper 30s to upper 40s, and has helped to develop stratus from eastern portions of El Paso county through portions of Otero, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties at this time. Today and Tonight... No big changes to ongoing forecast, with slowly increasing southwest flow aloft expected across the region as the West Coast upper trough continues to dig into the Desert Southwest, pushing the upper ridge across the far eastern plains and into western Kansas tonight. Warming aloft, denoted by WAA clouds spreading into western CO at this time, will continue to warm temperatures back to at and above seasonal levels today, with highs in the 70s and 80s across the lower elevations and mainly 50s and 60s across the higher terrain. Models continue to indicate enough moisture in place to support isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area this afternoon and evening, with the best coverage expected across the central mountains into the Pikes Peak region. Surface low pressure to persist across the plains today, with breezy east to southeast winds helping to advect low level moisture across the far southeast plains into northeastern CO through the afternoon...where latest SPC outlook has a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms today. With the upper ridge building across the southeast plains, convection looks to be capped today, however, storms which can develop across the Pikes Peak region could quickly strengthen as they move north and east off the Palmer Dvd and into northeastern CO. Convection to diminish and end after sun set with clearing skies overnight, save the far se plains, where could see some stratus develop once again overnight. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 Western U.S. upper low drifts slowly back northward on Saturday, keeping deep southwest flow in place across all of southern Colorado. Moisture across the region looks very limited, with just some weak, high-based convection possible over the central mountains. Over the plains, dryline will be lurking near the KS border, but most model guidance keeps deeper moisture/instability just east of the state line, and will go with a dry forecast over the plains for now. Deep mixing Saturday will lead to very warm and breezy conditions area-wide, and a few locations on the plains will approach 90f by late afternoon. Upper low tracks northeastward into Canada Sunday, with southwest flow continuing across Colorado. Dryline appears to mix well east of the KS border in the afternoon, and will keep pops out of the plains once again as dry air mass spreads eastward from the mountains. Mid levels do moisten slightly by afternoon over the higher terrain, and may be just enough instability for some high based -tsra, though with dry surface layer, precip will likely be very light. All of the area will see another day of very warm and windy conditions, though max temps may drift downward a couple degf as heights fall slightly by Sat evening. Weak cold front drops south through the plains Sunday evening, though any upslope surge should be short-lived as new energy drops into the western U.S. upper trough, with southwest flow reforming a lee surface low over ern CO during the day Mon. Moisture remains limited Mon, with again only a few high based mountain storms possible. Pattern persists Tue/Wed as wrn trough continues to deepen, keeping sw flow aloft in place with only limited moisture across the area. Models hint at occasional shallow moisture sloshing into ern CO both Tue and Wed mornings, before mixing quickly eastward as dry sw flow reaches the surface later in the day. Will keep mainly just some low pops in place over the mountains for both Tue and Wed afternoons, though again precip coverage/intensity will be rather sparse/weak. Deeper moisture makes a better push into southern CO Thu/Fri as energy from the western trough finally begins to push eastward and gives cold front a stronger shove southward. Still some timing differences among various models, but main message is a gradual increase in precip chances both days as moisture and lift both ramp up. Max temps Mon-Wed will stay rather warm, then drift downward slowly late week as cooler air filters south. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Saturday morning) Issued at 338 AM MDT Fri May 20 2016 COS, PUB and ALS should remain VFR for the next 24 hours. There is some patchy stratus across eastern El Paso county this morning, though this should not make into COS terminal. There also remains a low probability of a few afternoon and evening storms over the eastern mts and Palmer Divide, but do not expect them to impact the VC COS. Winds will be a bit stronger today with surface winds 10-20 KTS generally from the SE over the plains and S-SW over the San Luis Valley. Convection to diminish after sun set with clearing skies overnight. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...MW LONG TERM...PETERSEN AVIATION...MW
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1101 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Forecast models are consistent and add confidence for forecast details. The upper low over Washington state will sink into northern California on Friday. Northwest flow aloft this evening backs to southwest on Friday with the strongest gradient over Utah. Afternoon wind gusts of around 45 mph are expected so a Wind Advisory has been issued for SE Utah and far NW Colorado. These stronger wind gusts should diminish in the valleys early Friday evening though exposed higher terrain should have gusty winds through the night. There is enough residual moisture to set off late- day, mainly- mountain convection. Associated virga or light showers could produce locally stronger winds. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Saturday, the low works into eastern Oregon stretched across the western Great Basin. Southwest gradient winds will increase a few mph, but cloud cover may inhibit vertical mixing and valley wind gusts somewhat. Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. This will bring increased coverage of thundershowers especially to the northern mountains. A cold frontal passage in the afternoon will provide a storm focus and then a cool down for the first half of the new week. Snow level stills remains relatively high, around 10000 ft MSL. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave now timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night) Issued at 1101 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Isolated showers over the higher terrain will continue here and there through midmorning, but pose little threat to airport operations. Showers and embedded thunderstorms will increase in coverage and intensity over the higher terrain from late morning into the evening in response to daytime warming. Meanwhile, winds will become strong as a storm system moves southward into northern California and northwest Nevada, especially over southeast Utah and northwest Colorado. Wind gusts in excess of 45 MPH are likely in the areas just mentioned, but will decrease after 8 PM MDT. Outflow winds from thunderstorms could top 50 MPH. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for COZ001. UT...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...NL
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1051 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 839 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Showers and thunderstorms will continue to weaken over the next few hours as nocturnal processes become dominant. Decided to cut down pops over the Rampart, Wet, and Sangre de Cristo Mtns as shower activity continues to wane. Latest model guidance continues to suggest shower activity moving into the Central Mtns from the west during the early morning hours...thus decided to rise pops slightly over the Central and northern San Juan Mtns. Otherwise, the current forecast remains on track. Lukinbeal/Mozley && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Currently... Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms were occurring across the region at 2 pm. the best coverage of storms were over the Wet and Sangre mtns. a few showers/-tsra were noted over the I-25 corridor and san luis valley. upper low was located over the sc KS area and flow aloft was from the N-NW. This flow was allowing for a few showers to move onto the plains. Temps across the region were seasonable...with readings in the 50s to L70s across the Plains...and 50s and 60s in the valleys. Rest of today into tonight... Scattered showers will continue over the higher trrn with more isold activity expected over the valleys and the plains adjacent to the mtns into the early evening hours. Once the sun sets...showers will come to an end. The only exception will be the Central mtns were some showers may approach this region towards sunrise as a weak disturbance moves across the central part of the State. Temps tonight will be seasonable with lows in the 40s across the plains and 30s in the valleys. /Hodanish Tomorrow... Drier sw flow aloft moves over the fcst region. Although we will see some isold tsra over the mtns and possibly the plains...I expect we will see less coverage than what we have seen today. Temperatures will continue to warm...and expect another 10 degree warming...with highs in the mid 80s across a good part of the Plains. Overall best chance of precip tomorrow will likely be the c mtn area. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Friday night through Sunday...Long range models agree on placing an upper low pressure system over the West Coast Fri night and Sat, producing brisk SW flow aloft across the 4 Corners as well as very warm temps for the forecast area. Save for isolated convection over the mts, and mainly the central mts, each aftn and eve, conditions will remain dry for much of the CWA. Look for max temps in the upper 60s to mid 70s for the high valleys, and upper 70s to upper 80s for the plains. The upper low migrates to the north and slides across the Northern Rockies on Sun, pushing a cold front down into eastern CO Sun night. Monday through Thursday...As the one upper feature passes to the northeast, another upper trough of low pressure develops over Northern CA and the Pacific NW. This will once again produce southwest flow aloft across the 4 Corners. Multiple disturbances in the upper flow will cross the state, serving as the trigger for scattered convection over the mts, and isolated activity for the plains, for Tue and Wed. Therefore, look for isolated mt convection on Mon with aftn temps about 10 degrees cooler than on Sun. Convective activity increases for all areas Tue and Wed, with max temps in the 70s to around 80 F for the plains, and in the 60s for the high valleys. The upper low to the west finally starts to make a move towards CO on Thu, which will likely mean cooler temps and a higher probability for some showers and storms. Moore && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night) Issued at 1044 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 TAF sites should remain VFR for the next 24-30 hours. There is a low probability of a few afternoon and evening storms over the Palmer Divide...but they should not impact the VC KCOS. Winds will be a bit stronger tomorrow...with surface winds generally from the SE over the plains and S-SW over the San Luis Valley. Rose && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...LUKINBEAL/MOZLEY SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...MOORE AVIATION...ROSE
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 853 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .UPDATE... Issued at 839 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Showers and thunderstorms will continue to weaken over the next few hours as noctoral processes become dominate. Decided to cut down pops over the Rampart, Wet, and Sangre de Cristo Mtns as shower activity continues to wane. Latest model guidance continues to suggest shower activity moving into the Central Mtns from the west during the early morning hours...thus decided to rise pops slightly over the Central and northern San Juan Mtns. Otherwise, the current forecast remains on track. Lukinbeal/Mozley && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Currently... Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms were occurring across the region at 2 pm. the best coverage of storms were over the Wet and Sangre mtns. a few showers/-tsra were noted over the I-25 corridor and san luis valley. upper low was located over the sc KS area and flow aloft was from the N-NW. This flow was allowing for a few showers to move onto the plains. Temps across the region were seasonable...with readings in the 50s to L70s across the Plains...and 50s and 60s in the valleys. Rest of today into tonight... Scattered showers will continue over the higher trrn with more isold activity expected over the valleys and the plains adjacent to the mtns into the early evening hours. Once the sun sets...showers will come to an end. The only exception will be the Central mtns were some showers may approach this region towards sunrise as a weak disturbance moves across the central part of the State. Temps tonight will be seasonable with lows in the 40s across the plains and 30s in the valleys. /Hodanish Tomorrow... Drier sw flow aloft moves over the fcst region. Although we will see some isold tsra over the mtns and possibly the plains...I expect we will see less coverage than what we have seen today. Temperatures will continue to warm...and expect another 10 degree warming...with highs in the mid 80s across a good part of the Plains. Overall best chance of precip tomorrow will likely be the c mtn area. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Friday night through Sunday...Long range models agree on placing an upper low pressure system over the West Coast Fri night and Sat, producing brisk SW flow aloft across the 4 Corners as well as very warm temps for the forecast area. Save for isolated convection over the mts, and mainly the central mts, each aftn and eve, conditions will remain dry for much of the CWA. Look for max temps in the upper 60s to mid 70s for the high valleys, and upper 70s to upper 80s for the plains. The upper low migrates to the north and slides across the Northern Rockies on Sun, pushing a cold front down into eastern CO Sun night. Monday through Thursday...As the one upper feature passes to the northeast, another upper trough of low pressure develops over Northern CA and the Pacific NW. This will once again produce southwest flow aloft across the 4 Corners. Multiple disturbances in the upper flow will cross the state, serving as the trigger for scattered convection over the mts, and isolated activity for the plains, for Tue and Wed. Therefore, look for isolated mt convection on Mon with aftn temps about 10 degrees cooler than on Sun. Convective activity increases for all areas Tue and Wed, with max temps in the 70s to around 80 F for the plains, and in the 60s for the high valleys. The upper low to the west finally starts to make a move towards CO on Thu, which will likely mean cooler temps and a higher probability for some showers and storms. Moore && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening) Issued at 313 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 VFR conditions anticipated during the next 24h at all 3 taf sites...kpub...kcos and kals. winds will be light and diurnally driven. isold weak -tsra will be possible this afternoon at evening at all 3 taf sites...but probability is low that they will occur. the best chance of any precip will be over KCOS. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ UPDATE...LUKINBEAL/MOZLEY SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...MOORE AVIATION...HODANISH
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 401 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Forecast models are consistent and add confidence for forecast details. The upper low over Washington state will sink into northern California on Friday. Northwest flow aloft this evening backs to southwest on Friday with the strongest gradient over Utah. Afternoon wind gusts of around 45 mph are expected so a Wind Advisory has been issued for SE Utah and far NW Colorado. These stronger wind gusts should diminish in the valleys early Friday evening though exposed higher terrain should have gusty winds through the night. There is enough residual moisture to set off late- day, mainly- mountain convection. Associated virga or light showers could produce locally stronger winds. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Saturday, the low works into eastern Oregon stretched across the western Great Basin. Southwest gradient winds will increase a few mph, but cloud cover may inhibit vertical mixing and valley wind gusts somewhat. Sunday the low lifts into the Canadian Rockies with the tail of the trough pushing across our northern counties. This will bring increased coverage of thundershowers especially to the northern mountains. A cold frontal passage in the afternoon will provide a storm focus and then a cool down for the first half of the new week. Snow level stills remains relatively high, around 10000 ft MSL. A trough remains over the Intermountain West with a stronger shortwave now timed to pass next Thursday. A slow warming trend through Wednesday will cool down again on Thursday. Late-day convection looks to favor the northern and eastern mountains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening) Issued at 400 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Most of the scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will end by 03z. some turbulence is expected to develop overnight and southwest winds aloft strengthen. Gusty southwest winds will begin to mix into TAF sites around 18z Saturday. Afternoon gusts of 45 mph are possible mainly at KCNY KTEX with gusts to 30 to 40 mph elsewhere. Isolated afternoon showers and virga threaten locally very strong wind gusts. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for COZ001. UT...Wind Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday for UTZ022-027-029. && $$ SHORT TERM...JOE LONG TERM...JOE AVIATION...JOE
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1232 PM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Friday) Issued at 251 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 A transitory ridge will move across the area today. This will help remove a bit of the moisture that has been over the forecast area and suppress s some of the convective development this afternoon and evening. The next big pacific storm will move down the west coast from the pacnw to northern ca tonight and friday. The ridgeline will move east of the area friday and that will allow increase southerly surface winds ahead of the large trough along the west coast. Have increased wind speeds and gusts across the board friday. The pacific storm will slowly move inland friday but the forecast area should remain under a dry slot. The big story will be increasing south to southwest winds friday afternoon. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Wednesday) Issued at 221 PM MDT Wed May 18 2016 A large upper level low will sink south and then stall in the vicinity of the interior Pac NW states by Saturday. We will be in the tighter gradient region between this low and the ridge of high pressure over the central U.S. Saturday and Sunday which will bring a breezy to windy and warm pattern to our region. Cannot rule out isolated diurnal convection over the higher terrain Friday and Saturday...but should have a little better coverage on Sunday as a minor upper level trough moves through. As the upper level low weakens and moves north, individual shortwave troughs caught in the broad long wave trough over the western U.s. will begin to cross the region every 36 hours or so next week. Precipitable water values will be about half what they are now...so expect only isolated mainly diurnally driven convection over the mountains each day. After Saturday, as the region comes under the trough aloft, temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees below normal through the middle of next week. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon) Issued at 1227 PM MDT Thu May 19 2016 isold shower and a few storms will fire this afternoon though coverage is expected to be less than seen yesterday. convection will form over mountains so main concerns aviation-wise will be mtn tafs including kase...kege...and ktex where vcts looks good for now. kmtj and kdro may see some activity but confidence not high enough to include in taf attm. most precip will end by 03z with next concern being gusty winds tomorrow starting after 17z or so. gusts of 30 to even 40 mph are possible at times. the strongest winds are expected over kcny with lesser winds elsewhere. && .GJT Watches/Warnings/Advisories... CO...None. UT...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...CC LONG TERM...BEN AVIATION...TGR
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1112 AM MDT THU MAY 19 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 340 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Some low stratus and fog has developed over portions of El Paso county this morning. The San Luis Valley also has some low clouds this morning. The HRRR and nam are suggesting the stratus should dissipate by 15-16z this morning. An upr trof wl be to the east ovr KS and TX today, with a shortwave ridge ovr CO through tonight. There wl be enough mstr ovr the area today for isold to sct showers and tstms to develop ovr the mtns and high valleys, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Could even see a couple showers/storms move out ovr the I-25 corridor. high temps today wl be warmer than yesterday and should generally be just a few degrees below average. by late tonight most if not all pcpn should end. however, toward morning the nam is suggesting an area of pcpn could move into the CONTDVD, but the gfs is dry. it looks like low stratus could develop tonight ovr portions of the sern plains, mainly from KLHX and eastward, although it also looks like portions of El Paso county may also see the low clouds. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) Issued at 340 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 Friday-Saturday...A warmer and drier weather pattern continues to be in the offing as upper level ridging builds into the region on Friday, with southwest flow aloft increasing into Saturday ahead of EPAC energy digging across the West Coast and into the Great Basin. Enough residual moisture will be in place to support isolated to scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms both days, mainly over and near the higher terrain. Storms that do develop look to be higher based, with lightning and gusty winds the main threats. Latest models are indicating fairly deep mixing across the area on Saturday supporting breezy south to southwest winds into the afternoon and early evening and pushing dry line well into Kansas. Warming aloft continues across the area with temperatures warming back to at and above seasonal levels with highs in the 70s and 80s across the lower elevations and mainly 50s and 60s across the higher terrain. Breezy winds...warm temps and low afternoon humidities to lead to increased fire danger on Saturday, however, with green up well underway, do not think fuels across the area will be critical. Saturday night-Monday...Moderate to strong southwest flow aloft progged across the region as the Great Basin system lifts out across the northern Rockies on Monday. Pattern keeps the area warm and breezy, with isolated to scattered storms possible over and near the higher terrain. There could be a few stronger storms across the far southeast plains Saturday night and Sunday, with the dry line possibly retrograding back near the Kansas border. Should see temperatures remaining AOA seasonal averages through the period. Tuesday-Wednesday...Latest model guidance is indicating moderate west to southwest flow aloft across the region, with occasional embedded short waves translating across the Rockies. This pattern would lead to generally warm and breezy conditions across the area, with chances of showers and storms associated with the passing waves, mainly over and near the higher terrain. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon) Issued at 1059 AM MDT Thu May 19 2016 VFR conditions are anticipated during the next 24h at all 3 taf sites...KPUB...KALS and KCOS. Surface winds will be light and diurnally driven. Brief -TSRA will be possible at the 3 taf sites this afternoon and early evening...with locally gusty winds possible with the -TSRA. && .PUB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && $$ SHORT TERM...28 LONG TERM...MW AVIATION...HODANISH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 333 PM EDT SAT MAY 21 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure off the Virginia coast will lift northeast of our region through the day Sunday. However, a second offshore low is expected to develop by Monday, before lifting away from the region on Tuesday. A ridge will build over our region mid week. By Friday, the ridge is expected to shift east as another low begins to slide over the Great Plains. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/... Surface low pressure will continue to move northeastward and out to sea tonight. However, a upper low level pressure system to our northwest will continue to be a focal mechanism for some scattered light showers across the region tonight with a decrease overnight in coverage. The more concentrated showers along the shore will move offshore early this evening. With cloudy skies, temperatures will be slow to fall tonight falling into the upper 40`s and low 50`s. Fairly good model agreement with the forecast for tonight. && .SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM SUNDAY/... The upper level low pressure system that will be to our northwest will drop southward on Sunday. The 12z GFS/CMC/UKMET are a bit further west than the 12Z ECMWF with this feature. With this forecast package, we opted to go with a slightly more west track of the low. This could potentially keep the highest coverage of showers across Eastern Pennsylvania throughout the day. The areal coverage of showers looks to be of a diurnal nature as low level lapse rates steepen (instability mechanism) to increase the coverage by the afternoon. Rainfall amounts are going to be light but a continued low freezing level around 10,000 feet may result in a few showers containing pea size hail in the afternoon hours. Coverage of hail looks to low to place in forecast attm. The track of the low will also effect the high temperatures. A further east and cloudier ECMWF keeps highs down in the low and mid 60`s for most. On the other hand, A further west low track would allow for breaks of sunshine and a chance at 70 degrees for Delaware and New Jersey. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Monday through Tuesday...As the upper level short wave trough digs and intensifies over the Mid Atlantic, a surface low will subsequently develop off the coast of VA/NC. As a result, expect the work week to begin with much of the same weather pattern we`re seeing this weekend. Northeasterly flow will temper max temperatures a bit, staying slightly below normal. However, thanks to air mass modification, we should see a modest warming trend into Tuesday and highs may be near normals. The moisture advection, thanks to persistent onshore flow, and synoptic scale lift thanks to the upper level low will result in continued rain chances. How quickly we dry out will be dependent on how quickly the low lifts out of the region. On this point, there are some slight differences between the models with the GFS being a bit slower to clear everything out. Would expect the bulk of the precipitation to be done by mid day Tuesday as the flow turns more northwesterly, but a few showers could linger into Tuesday evening. Wednesday and Thursday...Upper level ridge shifts east, with the ridge axis over our region by Thursday morning, bringing a lull in rain chances and a very noticeable warming trend, with 80s expected across much of the region both days. Friday and Saturday...ridge shifts further east offshore through this time, leaving our region on the periphery of the ridge. As such, could see primarily afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms as shortwave troughs embedded in the upper level SW flow slide over the region. && .AVIATION /20Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas. Tonight: Mainly VFR through early evening, some MVFR possible from KPHL and southeast with the steadiest showers through early evening. Ceilings will gradually lower by late evening likely becoming IFR for the overnight hours. Some MVFR VSBY restrictions will also occur throughout the night as well. Winds will be easterly- northeasterly around 10 knots. Sunday: Ceilings will start off IFR/MVFR in the pre-dawn hours and gradually lift to VFR by the afternoon. Chance for some brief scattered showers to impact TAF site, to low of a chance for TAF inclusion attm. Northerly winds around 10 knots. Outlook... Monday and Tuesday...Occasional MVFR conditions possible with showers and fog especially Monday night. Wednesday and Thursday...VFR conditions likely. Small chance of MVFR conditions with showers and thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening. && .MARINE... SCA starting at 4 pm this afternoon. Easterly winds have increased but are still only around 20 knots on the bay attm. A window still looks present for some easterly wind gusts near 25 knots by evening both on the ocean and in Delaware Bay. Seas will be slow to rise and should get above five feet tonight on the ocean. Sunday: Winds will be more northerly and lighter. However wave heights will still run from five to eight feet. SCA in effect. RIP CURRENTS...Moderate risk for rip currents today as well with the onshore flow and increasing easterly winds. A cool, raw day to be out at the beach. Rip current forecast will be updated this evening for Sunday. Outlook... Sunday night into Monday...Seas are expected through this period and could be at or above 5 feet as early as Monday morning (especially on the southern coastal waters). Monday night...SCA conditions are likely on the coastal waters, primarily for seas above 5 feet, though gusts near or above 20 kt are possible. Tuesday...seas should slowly subside, though SCA conditions may linger through much of the day. Tuesday night through Thursday...winds and seas should stay below SCA criteria. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... With the full moon today (Saturday), and on shore flow developing later today and persisting through at least Sunday morning, tide levels should be higher than normal on the Atlantic oceanfront and the Delaware Bay. However, we expect water levels to fall short of minor flooding thresholds at this point. The highest water levels are expected with the high tide cycles on Sunday and Monday evening. && .PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NJ...None. DE...None. MD...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EDT Monday for ANZ452>455. Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EDT Monday for ANZ450-451. Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for ANZ430- 431. && $$ Synopsis...Johnson Near Term...Gaines Short Term...Gaines Long Term...Johnson Aviation...Gaines/Johnson Marine...Gaines/Johnson Tides/Coastal Flooding...Johnson
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 920 AM EDT SAT MAY 21 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure will deepen off the Virginia coast today and move offshore tonight and Sunday. An upper air disturbance will remain across the area from Sunday through Tuesday. High pressure will ridge across the area Wednesday and remain for part of Thursday. Another disturbance will arrive for the end of next week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/... An upper-level trough from the Great Lakes to the Ohio Valley will gradually shift eastward through the day. As this occurs, low-level warm air advection will assist in strengthening isentropic lift. An area of pressure falls is forecast to take place off the coast of Virginia, which will allow surface low pressure to develop through the day. The combination of the surface low development, isentropic lift and large scale ascent incoming from the west will result in an area of rain moving across much of the area today. The forecast challenge is the timing and pin-pointing the area where the heavier rain sets up. An initial area of warm advection rain across western Pennsylvania is forecast by much of the guidance to weaken some as it moves east-northeast this morning. As this occurs, surface low development to our south allows more focused lift to shift southeastward. The NAM looks to compact regarding its rain shield despite its surface low closer to the coast. If this occurs, then even less rain would fall across the western zones. The latest thinking is that all areas get into the rain by the end of the day, however did slow down the pop increase for awhile with a northeastern extent. The heaviest rainfall is mainly from near the I- 95 corridor on south and eastward given the coastal surface low development. Given increasing moisture and lift, the rain may become moderate at times mainly across the southern and eastern areas. As the surface low develops and starts to track northeastward, the pressure gradient tightens to its north. This results in breezy conditions developing closer to the coast. At this time, any instability looks rather meager given the onshore flow therefore thunder was not added. As for the high temperatures, we used mostly a continuity/MOS blend. With the strengthening onshore flow, clouds and incoming rain, we are expecting a cool day. The northern areas may get warmer prior to the rain arriving. With the rainy areas taking on a more triangle look leaving the Philly Metro potentially drier for longer today, high temperatures may edge out a few degrees warmer along with northern NJ. With the 9:30 am update, the rain shield coming into western parts of the region has encountered some drier air at the surface. Radar returns are showing moderate to heavy rain falling in Berks county PA southward into the Delmarva. However, only very light is currently reaching the ground. Pops were trimmed back after reviewing recent modeling trends in the HRRR and RAP which show this area of rain decaying late this morning and the area of rainfall with coastal low forming further eastward. && .SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM SUNDAY/... The upper-level trough is forecast to sharpen across the east tonight as an omega blocking pattern develops. This will drive surface low pressure northeastward and away from our area. As this occurs, the pressure gradient relaxes and therefore the winds that start out a bit gusty along the coast will diminish at least some. As the forcing shifts offshore with the surface low, any steadier rain is expected to also shift offshore early with some showers lingering. The showers will mostly be driven by the amplifying upper- level trough. These showers may be more organized just to our west within the trough axis itself. We therefore lowered pops some through the night but allowed for at least scattered showers through the overnight. With the idea of abundance of clouds around through the night, temperatures should not drop off considerably but it will be cool. As for the low temperatures, we used mostly a MOS blend. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... The upper air pattern will change considerably this week and by week`s end it will feel more like summer. The pattern begins with a closed low across the Middle Atlantic and northeast U.S. This low will fill and exit off into the Atlantic Tuesday night and Wednesday. The upper low will bring mostly unsettled conditions with scattered showers much of the time and a chc for an afternoon tstm across southern NJ and the Delmarva Monday. Temperatures from Sunday thru Tuesday will be mostly below normal...but cloud be at normal levels on Tuesday...depending on how much influence the upper low still has at this time. On Wednesday...Upper heights will rise and sfc high pressure will settle across the area. Under fair skies...temperatures will climb above normal...something which has not happened much during May. Highs in the low 80s are expected at this time. The warm weather will continue for the rest of the extended period...but rain chcs will also increase for Thursday and into Friday. By this time, several short waves from the Midwest will have traveled across the Ohio Valley and across the Middle Atlantic. Pops will mostly be in the chc range for now, since the details will not be able to be resolved until the week progresses a little more. Our pops are a good fit with our neighboring offices. Thunder will be possible during the period with the added instability with abundant daytime heating. && .AVIATION /13Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG, KMIV, KACY AND SURROUNDING AREAS. Today...VFR ceilings lowering to MVFR this afternoon, then IFR toward late afternoon. KABE and KRDG may remain at VFR ceilings all day. Rain overspreads the area from southwest to northeast from about 14-18z. The heaviest rain should be near and south/east of KPHL. Light southeast winds, becoming east then northeast and increasing to 10-15 knots this afternoon with some gusts to 20 knots. The strongest winds are expected to be closer to the coast. Tonight...MVFR to IFR conditions overall, with perhaps VFR ceilings lingering at KABE. The greatest chance for IFR conditions should be from KILG to KPHL/KPNE to KTTN on south and east. LIFR ceilings cannot be ruled out at KMIV and KACY. Any remaining steady rain tapers early to some showers with some visibility restrictions at times. Northeast winds 10-15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots early (less at KABE and KRDG), diminishing through the overnight. outlook... Sunday thru Tuesday...VFR most of the time. Sct Showers thru the period may temporarily lower CIGS or VSBYS to MVFR/IFR. Tuesday night and Wednesday...VFR expected. Fog possible Tue night. && .MARINE... Low pressure will develop off the Virginia coast during the course of today, then move out to sea tonight. The pressure gradient will tighten today as a result with an onshore flow therefore increasing. It appears that the NAM is a bit aggressive with the surface low since it is more consolidated and stronger. We leaned toward a weaker wind field and therefore gales are not anticipated at this time. The strengthening wind field spreading north looks to take longer today, therefore we delayed the start time of the Small Craft Advisory from south to north. Given the surface low track and pressure gradient, we are more confident on the southern waters. The increasing winds will build the seas with these becoming more robust later today and tonight from south to north. The winds should drop below advisory criteria this evening therefore we kept the 02z ending time. Moderate risk for rip currents today as well with the onshore flow and increasing easterly winds. A cool, raw day to be out at the beach. outlook... Sunday and Sunday night...SCA seas expected to continue on the Ocean. Sub-SCA conditions across Delaware Bay. Monday and Monday night...SCA conditions possible on the Ocean with the lingering effects of the coastal storm. Seas 3-5 ft. Tue thru Wed...Mostly Sub SCA conditions expected. && .PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NJ...None. DE...None. MD...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EDT Monday for ANZ452>455. Small Craft Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 6 AM EDT Monday for ANZ450-451. Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for ANZ430- 431. && $$ Synopsis...O`Hara Near Term...Gaines/Gorse Short Term...Gorse Long Term...O`Hara Aviation...Gorse/O`Hara Marine...Gorse/O`Hara Tides/Coastal Flooding...