Update March 21
Red Flag Warning in effect today with RH values in the single digits and southwest winds of 20-45 mph, a bad day to be a firefighter indeed. Approaching Pacific system will begin to spread snow to the western CO mountains tonight with snow level 6000-7000 ft lowering to 5000-6000 ft by Tuesday morning. Winter Weather Advisory in effect for most of western CO from 6 pm tonight through 6 pm Tuesday for 4-10 inches of snow. Cold front will push across CO tonight bringing cooler temps on Tuesday, but winds will remain strong and switch from southwest to west by Tuesday morning. West winds in the 15-35 mph range will continue to hamper fire fighting efforts on Tuesday and keep fire danger high.
Winds lighten on Wednsday and temps rebound under mostly sunny skies. Next system approaches CO on Thursday, which means southwest winds increase once again and raises fire dnager with low humidities. Snow will move into the western mountains, mostly north if I-70 during the day, but fairly light amounts. Conditions calm somewhat on Thursday night and Friday morning after passage of weak cold front Thursday, but then yet another Pacific system approaches CO on Friday afternoon. Southwest winds will once again increase during the day on Friday with snow moving into the mountains west of the Divide during the day with snow level 7000-8000 ft. This system is a little stronger and could bring some light precipitation to the foothills and adjacent Plains Friday afternoon into Friday night. Snow level would be 8000-9000 ft Friday afternoon lowering to around 6000 ft by Friday night. Any accumulations would be light. Westerly winds after cold frontal passge will increase Friday night and into Saturday morning.
The remainder of the weekend looks fairly tranquil, with just some shower activity over the higher mountains and along the CO/WY Border. Upper flow becomes northwesterly next week which will cool temps, but for the most part the foothills remain dry as upper ridge build over the western US by late next week.
A Happy Vernal Equinox to all. Not a bad way to begin Spring with a supermoon and warm, sunny weather. Current weather pattern appears to remain with us for the near future. Current very deep low pressure system along the CA coast that brought 5-10 inches of rain to the cental CA coast over the weekend will move east and weaken Monday and Tuesday. In advance of this system, temps and southwest winds will increase on Monday prompting Red Flag Warnins and Fire Weather Watches for most of eastern CO, including our foothills. Cold front will move through CO on Monday night, bringing cooler temps for Tuesday, although brisk westerly winds will remain. Snow in the CO mountains west of the Divide will begin late Monday and continue into Tuesday afternoon. Snow level initially 7000-8000 ft Monday afternoon lowering to 5000-6000 ft Tuesday.
Upper ridge builds in mid week keeping temps well above seasonal norms. The next Pacific system to affect CO will be similar to the early week system. Cold front will move across CO late Friday, bringing snow to the mountains west of the Divide, and cooler temps and breezy westerly winds to the foothills and Plains late Friday into Saturday. Some flurries may be possible Saturday across the foothills and Plains, but nothing serious.
Long range progs indicate the next chance for precip will be the middle of next week, but nothing major is in sight at this time.
Too bad future generations aren't here to see all the great things we are spending their $$ on!!
