479
FXUS65 KBOU 060629
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1229 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Heavy, wet snow may still damage tree limbs and powerlines,
  resulting in scattered power outages along the Front Range and
  I-25 Corridor overnight into Wednesday morning.

- Significant travel impacts for the northern mountains and
  foothills, with locally greater than 2 feet of snow. Slick and
  slushy roads possible overnight into Wednesday morning for the
  I-25 Corridor.

- Snow tapers off north to south late Wednesday morning through
  the afternoon.

- Return to a warmer weather for the latter half of the week into
  early next week, with just a couple chances of showers and
  storms due to passing disturbances.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Tuesday/...
Issued at 1226 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

The upper trough and accompanying QG ascent will move across the
area overnight thru late Wed morning and then exit the area by aftn.
Latest cross-sections show weak upslope component over the area but
should see a period of enhancement after 09z thru mid morning on
Wed. So still expect a band of heavier snow to spread across the
area overnight thru mid morning.  Activity will then gradually end
from north to south by late morning thru the aftn hours. With
clearing skies Wed night still expect a hard freeze across much of
the plains thru Thu morning.

On Thu, NW flow aloft will be over the area as a weak disturbance
moves across Thu night.  As a result will see a chc of snow showers
in the mtns with a slight chc of rain showers across the plains
mainly Thu night.  Highs on Thu will quickly rebound as readings
warm back to the mid 60`s to near 70 across the plains.

By Fri, the flow aloft will stay NW with mainly dry conditions
expected.  Highs will be in the upper 60`s to lower 70`s over the
plains.

For Sat, another weak disturbance embedded in NW flow aloft may
affect the area bringing at least a slight chc of showers or tstms
to the area.  Highs will be in the 70`s over nern CO.

By Sun into Mon, the flow aloft will be more WNW.  At this time, it
looks dry, with highs rising into the lower to mid 80`s across the
plains by Mon.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday/...
Issued at 1132 PM MDT Tue May 5 2026

The next 2-3 hours could see a slight reduction in the
frequency/persistence of -SN for the terminals, however this
should be shortlived, with a return to steadier SN and vis
1/4-3/4SM after ~08Z and lasting through mid-morning. latest
guidance has accelerated the exit of snow showers Wed, so latest
TAF package reflects this with the incorporation of a TEMPO group
by ~17Z for periods of notably improved vis/CIGS. VFR conditions
look to return to the terminals between 01-04Z, with KAPA clearing
the latest of the three.

Winds will remain due N through the morning hours, with a modest
increase in winds speeds after 09Z coincident with the development
of steadier snow as the secondary FROPA traverses the area. Speeds
will become lighter early afternoon, with VRB directions before
drainage flow becomes established in the evening.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory until 3 PM MDT this afternoon for COZ030-
032-037-042>046-049.

Winter Weather Advisory until noon MDT today for COZ031.

Winter Storm Warning until 3 PM MDT this afternoon for
COZ033>036-038>041.

Freeze Warning from 8 PM this evening to 8 AM MDT Thursday for
COZ038>051.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...RPK
AVIATION...BRQ

NWS BOU Office Area Forecast Discussion