National Weather Service Forecast Discussion

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424
FXUS65 KBOU 240500
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1100 PM MDT Mon Mar 23 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Record heat expected for tomorrow and Wednesday across much of
  the forecast area.

- Elevated to critical fire weather conditions, mainly on
  Wednesday.

- A cooldown on Friday, then warming back up above normal for the
  weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Monday/...
Issued at 1100 PM MDT Mon Mar 23 2026

Another period of record heat is expected tomorrow and Wednesday,
with a cool down by Friday.

Currently, scattered light snow showers over the high mountains
continue to decrease.  Little to no accumulations are expected.

Upper level ridging will build again over the southwestern United
States.  The forecast area will have fairly weak northwesterly flow
aloft on tomorrow and tomorrow night with zonal flow Wednesday
and Wednesday night. This ridging will bring temperatures back up
to record levels with highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s over the
plains tomorrow, and mid to upper 80s on Wednesday. Again,
Denver`s all-time record high temperature for March, 86 degrees,
could be broken. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will
also return, especially on Wednesday with afternoon humidities
dropping into the 9-14 percent range over the plains. Will refrain
from a Red Flag Watch as winds are expected to be pretty weak at
that time.

On Thursday, weak upper troughing is still expected to push across
Colorado.  This will bring in a cold front, and upslope winds as
well as limited low level moisture.  The result will be 10-40% pops,
mostly in the mountains Thursday afternoon and night. Thursday`s
highs over the plains will get into the 70s before the front makes a
difference.  The plains may have Stratus in place on Friday with
high temperatures in the 50s.

For the weekend, upper ridging dominates with dry conditions and
temperatures well above normal again.  There may be a couple weak
disturbance moving through the upper ridge on Monday and Tuesday.
This will bring the possibility of limited precipitation.
Temperatures look to stay above seasonal normals early next week.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday/...
Issued at 537 PM MDT Mon Mar 23 2026

VFR conditions expected throughout the TAF period. A boundary will
move through DEN and APA shortly increasing southeasterly winds
this evening. Gusts could reach 20 knots for a short time. Winds
will then trend to drainage with normal speeds tonight. Light and
variable winds are expected tomorrow morning. By the afternoon,
northwest winds will develop at all terminals. Speeds will
generally be between 8-12 knots although some higher gusts could
occur.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...66
AVIATION...Danielson

NWS BOU Office Area Forecast Discussion