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240 FXUS65 KBOU 281824 AFDBOU Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 1224 PM MDT Sat Mar 28 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Well above normal temperatures this afternoon, and again Sunday and Monday afternoons. - Critical fire weather conditions becoming widespread Monday. - Cooler by Tuesday with snow in the mountains and a chance of precipitation over the plains. - More upper troughing for next weekend. && .DISCUSSION /Through Saturday/... Issued at 1224 PM MDT Sat Mar 28 2026 Flat upper ridging will dominate the weather across the forecast area both today and Sunday with much above normal temperatures. Weak upper troughing moves across Monday night bringing a cooler airmass in for Tuesday and Wednesday along with some precipitation. Currently, surface observations are showing temperatures in the mid 60s to mid 70s across the plains, which is 30 degrees warmer compared to yesterday at this time. Southwest winds are in place at 10-25 mph for most areas. Models have fairly weak zonal flow aloft for the CWA now through Monday. Moisture will be relegated to the mid and upper levels. The QG Omega fields are showing very weak to neutral synoptic scale energy for that period. Cross sections and forecast soundings point to limited late day high based convection both this afternoon and Sunday afternoon, mainly producing virga and outflow wind gusts as high as 40 mph. With winds progged to increase somewhat on Monday, fire weather conditions will likely get to critical levels for most of the plains by afternoon. This area may eventually require a Red Flag Watch. The weak upper trough will bring in a decent cold front, upslope low level flow and increased moisture late Monday night continuing into Tuesday. The mountains may see a few inches of snow, especially Tuesday afternoon and evening. Temperatures may get close to record high values later this afternoon as well as Sunday and even Monday too. Highs are expected to be in the lower 80s over the plains all three afternoons. Tuesday`s highs cool down significantly with highs mainly in the lower 50s over the plains. For the later period, Wednesday through Saturday, a weak upper trough moves across Wednesday, followed by weak ridging. By Friday and Saturday, a fairly strong upper trough will affect Colorado, with the medium range models not the best in agreement concerning timing. However, it does look like a cooler and, hopefully, wetter period may prevail. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday/... Issued at 1156 AM MDT Sat Mar 28 2026 VFR conditions will continue throughout the forecast period. DEN has warmed rapidly this morning from 48 degrees F at 15:30z to 73 degrees F at 17:30z as the inversion previously in place has nearly fully eroded. Winds will briefly be W/NW this afternoon before becoming variable as virga and showers move through all 3 sites between 18z and 2z. Classic downdraft "inverted v" soundings are depicted for this afternoon meaning that winds will be gusty (20 to 25 knots) with any outflow winds that occur, especially at APA and DEN. Drainage winds will be in place for tonight before a switch to NW winds around 16z to 18z tomorrow. VCSH is possible again tomorrow afternoon but less likely than today based on the latest hi-res modeling. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...66 AVIATION...MV