National Weather Service Forecast Discussion

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658
FXUS65 KBOU 051929
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1229 PM MST Thu Feb 5 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Well above normal temperatures today through Monday.

- Elevated fire weather conditions expected on Saturday and Monday
  due to mild, dry, and breezy conditions.

- Pattern change next week will lead multiple chances of
  precipitation. Best chance for snow will be Wednesday into
  Thursday in the mountains.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Thursday/...
Issued at 1224 PM MST Thu Feb 5 2026

Above normal temperatures and dry conditions will continue through
the end of the week. An upper level ridge will sit over much of the
area through Sunday. The pressure gradient will tighten on Saturday,
leading to breezy winds on the mountains and in the northern plains
along the Wyoming and Nebraska borders. Gusts Saturday morning could
reach around 55 to 60mph in the mountains. Winds in the north and
northeastern Colorado Plains will increase into the afternoon, with
sustained winds around 20 to 25mph. RHs will drop into the mid teens
to around 20% in the mid afternoon for the plains as well, leading
to elevated fire weather concerns for Saturday afternoon in NE
Colorado. Winds won`t be as strong on Monday, but conditions will
be drier, so we`ll have to monitor the potential for fire weather
concerns for Monday afternoon as well.

The most interesting (and uncertain) part of the forecast is still
the snow potential next week. We have high confidence in snow
impacting the mountains in the middle part of next week and low
confidence in snow impacting the plains. Uncertainty remains in the
timing of the onset of the event and snow total amounts. Models
start to bring snow in the mountains anywhere from early Tuesday
afternoon to Wednesday morning. Once the snow starts, it is expected
to continue on and off through Wednesday and into Thursday for the
mountains. Right now, the Front and Park ranges are sitting at a
medium chance (40 to 70%) of at least 4 inches of snow by late
Wednesday. The plains are currently at a low chance (

NWS BOU Office Area Forecast Discussion