National Weather Service Forecast Discussion

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165
FXUS65 KBOU 061130
AFDBOU

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

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Ongoing snowstorm is reaching its tail end, with snow showers
  subsiding from north to south throughout the morning, and all
  areas dry by this evening.

- Travel impacts can still be expected at times for the I-70
  mountain/foothill corridor today. Elsewhere, minor additional
  accumulations may continue to stress weighted trees and power
  lines through this morning.

- Widespread freeze expected tonight for all areas.

- 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.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 522 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

One last hoorah of more widespread snow showers is expected over
the next 2-4 hours for the urban corridor before subsiding more
noticeably mid to late morning. Headlines will likely be able to
be dropped early for many areas. An inch or two of additional
accumulation will be possible for colder surfaces, but roadway
accumulations are unlikely outside of brief dustings coinciding
with the heaviest snowfall rates. As soon as that intensity drops,
any accumulated snow will melt and give way to just wet roads.

&&

.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 /12Z TAFS through 12Z Thursday/...
Issued at 522 AM MDT Wed May 6 2026

One last window of enhanced snow shower activity is expected
through the next 2-4 hours for Denver area terminals, with
potential for brief vis restrictions to 1/2-1SM during the
heaviest snow. Otherwise, expect vis ranging 3-6SM with isolated
-SHSN activity through mid-morning, diminishing substantially past
 15Z. Have trended lifting CIGS and vis notably earlier in line
 with current radar observations and most recent model guidance.
 VFR conditions could return as early as 23Z, but more likely will
 still hold off until early evening.

North winds may see a slight increase after 13Z with speeds 10-13
kts associated with this last pronounced surge of snow showers.
After that, expect generally N and NNE flow, weakening in the
evening and returning to drainage flow. The SW winds should keep
fog potential at bay tonight.

&&

.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.

&&

$$

UPDATE...BRQ
DISCUSSION...RPK
AVIATION...BRQ

NWS BOU Office Area Forecast Discussion