485
FXUS65 KBOU 170911
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
311 AM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Active weather pattern through Saturday. Locally heavy rainfall
  will be the greatest storm threat, although a couple severe
  storms possible Saturday.

- Near or just above normal temperatures settling below normal for
  Sunday and Monday.

- Trend toward drier weather by early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Wednesday/...
Issued at 311 AM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026

Satellite shows a large plume of monsoonal moisture lifting
northeast from the Desert Southwest across much of Utah, Colorado,
and Wyoming this morning. A couple shortwaves were noted in the
flow, with one lifting northeast through southwest Utah, another
in east central Arizona, and yet another in west central New
Mexico. Rain and thunderstorms were fairly widespread ahead of
these features, although much of it continues to dry as it moves
across the numerous mountain ranges on it`s way to the Colorado
Front Range and plains. That said, today is shaping up to be a
more active weather day as precipitable water values climb to
record values for this late in the season, and close to 225% of
normal. That means locally heavy rainfall will be possible with
showers and storms today. The main question is how widespread
they will be, and that depends mostly on two factors; 1) the
extent of mid level clouds and 2) the timing of best lift
associated with the passing shortwaves. More on that in just a
bit. Right now, it also appears the best lift may now stay to our
west and eventually north in the proximity of the upper level
speed max, and thus we`re unsure of shower/storm coverage over the
plains.

We do think all of the mountains will see measurable rainfall
being closer to the lift and without the stronger downslope
effects, so periods of light to moderate rain can be expected
there through early afternoon. On the plains, a few light showers
linger in these pre-dawn hours, but can`t rule out an isolated
storm near the Wyoming border in the area of best mid level
moisture/theta-e advection. Then it appears we`re in for a break
and possible slight break-up of some of the mid level clouds by
mid morning. Then those thicken again as the above mentioned
shortwave(s) and deeper moisture move in. Most models have some
light rain attempting to work into the lower elevations as this
deepest moisture arrives very late this morning into mid
afternoon, but that would also limit instability. It could very
well end up taking some late day breaks or deeper convection
initiation over the mountains to start any storms with heavier
rain that could potentially impact the I-25 Corridor. East of the
I-25 Corridor, we do try to destabilize with potential for a few
more peaks of sun, so the higher chance of storms end up there
late this afternoon and evening. Also of note, there will be
stronger low level moisture convergence along a warm
front/boundary extending roughly along/north of a line from
Greeley to Akron, so that would favor areas from there to the
north and east for convective initiation.

All in all, it appears the highest threat for locally heavy rain
today would be in the mountains and higher foothills, and then
farther northeast across the plains. However, it should be noted
that given the favorable parameters (record PW for this time of
year and warm cloud depth 3500-4500 feet), locally heavy rainfall
will occur with any storms. They will be fast moving (25-30 mph on
average) so the threat of any significant flash flooding is on the
lower end. We do think local minor flooding and a couple mountain
rockslides would still be possible. WPC Excessive Rainfall
Outlook highlights this rather well with the greater (Slight Risk)
over southwest and west central Colorado and also farther north
toward southeast Wyoming into the Nebraska Panhandle.

Friday could end up being more active along the I-25 Corridor
versus today. PW values drop slightly, but will still be 160-220%
of normal. Also, instability should have a chance to grow slightly
with a little more sunshine. Therefore, we expect another round of
scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms this time
originating over the mountains and pushing east onto the I-25
Corridor and adjacent plains in the afternoon and evening.

Saturday could end up being the most active weather day. While PW
is forecast to drop off, it will still be above normal and
instability is forecast to grow further with more sunshine and
some cooling aloft and steepening lapse rates. MLCAPE may surpass
1500 J/kg on the eastern plains, and plenty of shear is forecast
with rather strong mid level flow. Thus, a couple severe storms
will be possible. In addition, we`ll have some synoptic scale
lift as an upper level trough approaches from the northern Great
Basin and northern Rockies.

While Sunday is a transition day with the expected trough
passage, depending on it`s speed we will have a chance at more
showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will be turning cooler
with cool advection (most likely highs in the lower 70s for the
plains). But, if front is a little earlier then we could see just
upper 60s.

As mentioned in yesterday`s discussion, Monday into Tuesday will
be turning drier. However, we still expect isolated weaker
convection. Models remain consistent showing another surge of
monsoonal moisture by late Tuesday or Wednesday, which would
result in an uptick of shower/storm coverage.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday/...
Issued at 1147 PM MDT Wed Sep 16 2026

Winds are attempting to settle from the S-SW, and for the most
part rain showers were focused to the west and south of KDEN.
Thus, a mostly S-SW component should remain in place. There hasn`t
been too much outflow from these showers since the airmass is
finally more moist and less DCAPE. We will keep a PROB30 of -SHRA
through about 10Z as some showers are still coming up from the
south. KBJC and areas west of I-25 should see a little better
chance of showers overnight given current trajectories and a
little easterly component still in place.

Thursday afternoon will have higher chances for showers and storms
due to an increase in moisture and weak lift from a passing
weather disturbance. Due to the increase in moisture, if a
shower/storm moves directly across an airport visibility could be
briefly reduced to 1-2SM. The odds of that are low so we`ve only
gone with the TEMPO -TSRA for now, with gusty VRB winds to 30 kts,
of course. There is minimal DCAPE (~500 J/kg), but enough
environmental wind and potential precipitation loading for the
gusty outflow winds. That TEMPO will be for the highest
probability period of 21Z-01Z, but could be an hour or two later.
Some model guidance keeps showers in the area as late as 04Z,
prompting a PROB30 on the back end. Finally, regarding winds
tomorrow, there is low confidence but for now we think we`ll start
mostly VRB by around 14Z, transitioning to a SE or even S-SW wind
depending on arrival time of showers. Those should could be in
the vicinity as early as 16Z. Post-convection winds look pretty
messy at the time, but in this scenario they would favor a
northeasterly backflow for a few hours before transitioning to
normal S-SW again after 06Z with sufficient clearing.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...20
AVIATION...20

NWS BOU Office Area Forecast Discussion