High Fire Danger/Hazardous Weather Outlook – National Weather Service Pueblo, CO

Critical fire weather conditions will spread across much of southern Colorado today and Thursday as strong winds move into the region.  Please avoid any activities that could start a wildfire!!

0453 AM MDT Wed Apr 11 2018

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central…east central…south central and southeast Colorado.

DAY ONE…Today 4/11/18 and Tonight

Strong westerly winds will combine with relative humidity values below 10 percent and dry fuels to produce dangerous fire weather conditions this afternoon and evening. Locations from the San Luis Valley, lower elevations of the Eastern Mountains, east across the Eastern Plains will see the most dangerous conditions. Any outdoor burning should be postponed due to the dangerous conditions.

In addition, there may be areas of blowing dust in wind prone areas along Interstate 25 which could reduce visibilities.

DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Thursday through Tuesday (4/12–4/17)

Strong winds and high fire danger will spread across most of southern Colorado on Thursday. Southwest winds 30 to 45 mph with gusts to over 50 mph combined with low relative humidity levels and critically dry fuels will lead to volatile conditions for fire growth and spread Thursday afternoon. Any activities which could start a wild fire are strongly discouraged. Areas of blowing dust will be likely Thursday afternoon and these strong winds may cause dangerous cross winds along north south oriented roadways.

This system is expected to intensify as it moves across Colorado Thursday night and into the central plains on Friday, spreading snow into the mountains and rain and snow showers into the southeast plains. Some moderate accumulations of snow will be possible across the central mountains during this period, and a round of showers will spread across the plains on Friday and Friday night. Some light snowfall accumulations will be possible across the southeast mountains and the Palmer and Raton ridges during this period.

Of greater concern will be the potential for strong and potentially damaging north winds on Friday across much of the southeast plains. Strong north winds may continue across the plains on Saturday as the system slowly pulls away to the east.