335
FXUS65 KBOU 121902
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
102 PM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Prolonged period of critical fire weather conditions today through
  Saturday as successive high wind events and dry conditions
  impact our forecast area.

- Mountain snow expected to develop late Saturday following a cold
  front, with precipitation potential and much cooler temperatures
  extending into the lower elevations through Sunday.

- Rapid warming begins Monday into Tuesday, potentially
  culminating in record-breaking temperatures mid to late next
  week.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Wednesday/...
Issued at 1223 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026

A prolonged period of enhanced downslope winds and high fire danger
is on our doorstep, with gusts already picking up on our leeside
slopes as surface pressure gradients tighten (~2mb increase in the
past 2-3 hrs for Grand Junction - Denver gradients). This trend will
continue through this afternoon as a pronounced surface low
amplifies over the Upper Midwest and gradients peak, driving 55-65
kt cross-barrier flow over the Front Range. Agreement is unanimous
regarding the development of a potent mountain wave over the central
foothills beginning near or just after daybreak and producing gusts
of 80-100 mph, focused primarily above 7,000 ft and east of the Peak-
to-Peak corridor with the strongest gusts after 11 AM. Ridgetop wind
directions remain marginal with just enough of a northwest component
aloft to likely limit downslope amplification into lower elevation
urban areas and, despite some favorable shear profiles, signs of a
true critical layer are still few and far between. These two factors
may be contributing to the vast majority of high-res guidance
confining the more extreme gusts to our foothills. Nonetheless,
typically wind-prone locations (Cheyenne Ridge into the base of the
foothills N/W of Fort Collins, and down through Lyons into the
Highway 93 corridor) will be susceptible to gusts 60-75 mph at
times. Elsewhere, gusts 45 to 60 mph can be expected, with areas
along/south of I-70 seeing the weakest winds (gusts more sporadic
and largely below 40 mph). All this said, critical fire weather
conditions will be widespread and extend into portions of our lower
foothills.

Winds relax slightly tonight and retreat into the higher elevations,
whilst a backdoor cold front slides SW into our northeast plains
bringing locally below-freezing temperatures overnight.

Wind and fire weather remain the story for Friday, albeit will a
moderation in wind speeds for most areas with exception of the
higher foothills/mountains, where winds will remain strong through
the morning hours. However, deep mixing and healthy flow aloft
will still ensure development of breezy conditions with widespread
gusts 25 to 45 mph for the plains/I-25 corridor, strongest near
the WY/NE state line. With another dry day on tap, a Fire Weather
Watch has been issued for the majority of our lower elevations.

Downslope winds are set to strengthen once more Saturday afternoon
with a developing shortwave to our north and approaching jet max on
its backside. Peak wind strength does not look as high as with
today`s event, with cross-sections appearing less favorable for a
pronounced mountain wave. However, we will be plenty warm (into the
70`s) and well-mixed, with increasing QG subsidence through the day
helping promote effective spread of windy conditions into all areas,
with gusts 35-50 mph during the day for the lower elevations.
Sustained low humidity will lead to another high-confidence
critical fire weather day. Come Saturday evening, a sharp front is
poised to descend into our area, bringing a shot of strong NW to N
winds lasting through Sunday. The jet placement, which has inched
a little south in the latest guidance, combined with strong
frontogenesis, suggests good potential for some banded snowfall
impacting not just our mountains but also the lower elevations
overnight into early Sunday, although it will be a quick-hitting
system with considerable subsidence following shortly behind.
There`s higher confidence in travel impacts with several inches of
snow for our mountains, but a few inches of snow accumulation are
also within reach for our I-25 corridor, especially if we can get
some efficient (albeit brief) banding. After Sunday`s little
taste of winter, a rapid warm-up is expected to begin Monday as
high pressure builds into the southwestern US, and will only
accelerate through the week as the ridge axis expands eastward.
Record-breaking temperatures are increasingly likely by the
middle of next week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday/...
Issued at 1215 PM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026

VFR conditions through the TAF period. West-northwest winds have
been somewhat consistent today at all three terminals. They have
been consistent enough the stronger winds were put in the
prevailing groups for the TAFs while the TEMPO groups have the
lighter winds. Wind speeds are expected to relax slightly this
afternoon but gusts between 30-40 knots will occur at all
terminals. There will also be periods of lighter winds and wind
shear may develop if the winds at the surface decrease.

Around 00-02Z, the strong wind gusts will decrease with winds
sustained around 15 knots and gusts around 27 knots. A modified
drainage flow with winds more westerly than usual will then take
over overnight.

High resolution models are hinting at a possible cold front making
it to DEN around sunrise. This might shift winds to the northeast
at DEN with speeds around 10-15 knots for a couple hours around
11-14Z.

Winds will be similar on Friday as today. Winds will increase out
of the west at all terminals between 15-17Z. Gusts in the
afternoon will generally be between 35-40 knots.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1223 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026

Prolonged critical fire weather conditions are in store for today
through Saturday as downslope winds, strong at times, impact the
foothills and much of the lower elevations. The strongest winds of
the period are expected today for areas west of I-25 and along our
northern plains, where gusts 45 to 60 mph can be expected.
Humidity will fall to or below 15% for a broad swath of the lower
elevations (closer to 15-20% for the windier locations and into
the lower foothills), with high confidence in development of Red
Flag conditions. Humidity recoveries near the base of the
foothills will be poor to moderate at best tonight, and may not
exceed 25-30% in spots.

Peak wind strength will be tapered Friday, but breezy conditions
will arguably be more widespread for the plains with gusts 30-50
mph being common. Daytime humidity levels will see little change
relative to today, and overnight recoveries will remain limited
near the base of the foothills into Saturday morning.

Winds are set to re-strengthen Saturday, especially in the
afternoon, and it`s expected to be the warmest and driest day of
this 3-day period. Critical conditions will again be widespread
and may extend into portions of the lower foothills where fuels
are susceptible/snow cover is limited. A potent cold front is
expected to arrive Saturday evening, bringing a shot of strong
N/NW winds along with a high likelihood of accumulating snow to
many areas through early Sunday.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Warning until noon MDT Friday for COZ033>036.

High Wind Warning until 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ038-042-048.

Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ238>251.

Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening
for COZ238>249.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...BRQ
AVIATION...Danielson
FIRE WEATHER...BRQ

NWS BOU Office Area Forecast Discussion