421
FXUS65 KBOU 010542
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1142 PM MDT Thu Apr 30 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Mountain snow decreasing overnight. Light mountain snow remains
  possible Friday afternoon.

- Warmer and drier conditions expected for the weekend.

- Unsettled weather returns Monday night through Wednesday with
  increasing chances for mountain snow and rain showers over the
  plains.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Thursday/...
Issued at 1140 PM MDT Thu Apr 30 2026

The current unsettled stretch of weather comes to a close on Friday
before unsettled weather returns early next week. Current radar
imagery shows light snow showers for the southern Front Range
mountains and some light rain showers across the plains. Mountain
snow showers remain possible through early Friday morning for the
southern Front Range mountains, where a Winter Weather Advisory
remains in effect until 6am Friday. Portions of the Palmer Divide
and southern foothills will likely see decreasing showers through
the night.

Friday will see temperatures about 10 degrees warmer than Thursday-
highs in the upper 50s to low 60s for the plains. Dry air will be
moving in from the north as the day progresses. A 40-60% chance for
light mountain snow showers will continue on Friday with the highest
chances for the southern Front Range mountains. Additional
accumulations of only 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected during the
day on Friday. Otherwise, across the plains, the chance for any rain
showers is quite low (around 10%), with only 0.05" QPF at most.

An upper level ridge will build into the area for Saturday and
Sunday leading to mostly sunny skies. Highs will top out in the
upper 60s to low 70s across the plains on Saturday with Sunday being
slightly warmer. By Monday, an upper level low will be located near
California and slowly moving eastward throughout the week. The jet
stream will move in from the north giving way to north/northwest
flow and bringing increased cloud cover for Monday. This will lead
to the possibility of showers for the plains and snow for the
mountains Monday afternoon through Tuesday night. It is still too
early to provide specific amounts, but this is a favorable pattern
for measurable QPF. Although, it is important to note that recent
ensemble guidance has trended down in QPF amounts. Currently, the
Front Range mountains and foothills are favored to receive the most
precipitation from this system.

With the arrival of showers overnight Monday and into Tuesday,
cooler temperatures are expected, with most of the plains hovering
around high 50s to low 60s. A cold front will move through the
region on Tuesday night and continue below temperatures for
Wednesday. Low precipitation chances (20-30% chance) could linger
into Wednesday and Thursday, mainly for the mountains, depending on
the progression of the system. Guidance is in good agreement of
temperatures returning back to the 70s as high pressure starts to
build back in late next week.


&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS through 06Z Saturday/...
Issued at 1115 PM MDT Thu Apr 30 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail at KDEN and KBJC through
the remainder of the forecast TAF period. For KAPA, residual -SHRA
look to linger in the vcnty, primarily due south of the terminal,
for an additional 1-2 hrs. Direct impacts to KAPA don`t appear
likely, but some CIGS with bases ~030-040 can be expected to hold
on a little longer before they dissipate before sunrise. Partial
mid-level cloud cover is expected to persist much of the day,
although generally favoring FEW-SCT coverage over BKN.

Otherwise, very light drainage flow will prevail through mid-
morning before increasing variability in the wind direction,
generally favoring N/NNE, but staying very light (under 8 kts) in
the afternoon.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT Friday for COZ033-034-037.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...MV
AVIATION...BRQ

NWS BOU Office Area Forecast Discussion