Alert archive / Colorado / Red Flag Warnings in 2026

Red Flag Warning 47, NWS Pueblo, CO

April 23, 202620 counties in Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this red flag warning at Apr 23, 2026, 12:15 PM MDT for 20 counties in Colorado. It took effect at Apr 24, 2026, 11:00 AM MDT. It was in force for 9 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Apr 23, 2026, 12:15 PM MDT (18:15 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 24, 2026, 11:00 AM MDT
Expired
Apr 24, 2026, 8:11 PM MDT
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO

Counties Alamosa County, CO, Baca County, CO, Bent County, CO, Chaffee County, CO, Conejos County, CO, Costilla County, CO, Crowley County, CO, Custer County, CO, El Paso County, CO, Fremont County, CO, Huerfano County, CO, Kiowa County, CO, Lake County, CO, Las Animas County, CO, Otero County, CO, Prowers County, CO, Pueblo County, CO, Rio Grande County, CO, Saguache County, CO, Teller County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 67 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:13 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The text

As transmitted.

551 
WWUS85 KPUB 231815
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URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1215 PM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026


COZ220>222-224>237-241015-
/O.UPG.KPUB.FW.A.0041.260424T1700Z-260425T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.W.0047.260424T1700Z-260425T0300Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0046.000000T0000Z-260424T0300Z/
Upper Arkansas River Valley Including Lake County and Chaffee
County-
Teller County/Rampart Range Including Pikes Peak and Florissant
Fossil Beds National Monument-
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
San Luis Valley Including Alamosa/Del Norte/Fort Garland/Saguache-
Southern Front Range Including Sangre De Cristo Mountains/Wet
Mountains/La Veta Pass-
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
1215 PM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
220, 221, 222, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233,
234, 235, 236, AND 237...
...RED FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 
220, 221, 222, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 
234, 235, 236, AND 237...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag
Warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from 11 AM to 9 PM MDT Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is
no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 221, 222, 224, 225, 
  226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236 and 237.

* TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this 
  evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from 11 AM to 9 PM 
  MDT Friday.

* WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent.

* IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch 
  and spread rapidly and erratically.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
247 
WWUS85 KPUB 240202
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URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
802 PM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

COZ220>222-224>237-241815-
/O.CAN.KPUB.FW.W.0046.000000T0000Z-260424T0300Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0047.260424T1700Z-260425T0300Z/
Upper Arkansas River Valley Including Lake County and Chaffee
County-
Teller County/Rampart Range Including Pikes Peak and Florissant
Fossil Beds National Monument-
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
San Luis Valley Including Alamosa/Del Norte/Fort Garland/Saguache-
Southern Front Range Including Sangre De Cristo Mountains/Wet
Mountains/La Veta Pass-
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
802 PM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM MDT
FRIDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 220, 221, 222, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232,
233, 234, 235, 236, AND 237...
...RED FLAG WARNING FOR TODAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has cancelled the Red Flag
Warning for today. The Red Flag Warning for Friday remains in 
effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 221, 222, 224, 225, 
  226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236 and 237.

* TIMING...From 11 AM to 9 PM MDT Friday.

* WINDS...West 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent.

* IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch 
  and spread rapidly and erratically.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
761 
WWUS85 KPUB 240636
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1236 AM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

COZ224-229-230-242245-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.A.0042.260425T1800Z-260426T0200Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0047.260424T1700Z-260425T0300Z/
San Luis Valley Including Alamosa/Del Norte/Fort Garland/Saguache-
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
1236 AM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 224, 229, AND 230...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SATURDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
FIRE WEATHER ZONES 224, 229, AND 230...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Fire Weather
Watch for gusty winds and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 224, 229 and 230.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 11 AM this morning to 
  9 PM MDT this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from 
  Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent.

* IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch 
  and spread rapidly and erratically.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

COZ220>222-225>228-231>237-242245-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0047.260424T1700Z-260425T0300Z/
Upper Arkansas River Valley Including Lake County and Chaffee
County-
Teller County/Rampart Range Including Pikes Peak and Florissant
Fossil Beds National Monument-
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
Southern Front Range Including Sangre De Cristo Mountains/Wet
Mountains/La Veta Pass-
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
1236 AM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 220, 221, 222, 225, 226, 227, 228, 231,
232, 233, 234, 235, 236, AND 237...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 221, 222, 225, 226, 
  227, 228, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236 and 237.

* TIMING...From 11 AM this morning to 9 PM MDT this evening.

* WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise 
  extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
132 
WWUS85 KPUB 241631
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1031 AM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

COZ224-229-230-250845-
/O.UPG.KPUB.FW.A.0042.260425T1800Z-260426T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.W.0048.260425T1800Z-260426T0200Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0047.260424T1700Z-260425T0300Z/
San Luis Valley Including Alamosa/Del Norte/Fort Garland/Saguache-
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
1031 AM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
224, 229, AND 230...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 224,
229, AND 230...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag
Warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday. The Fire Weather Watch is
no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 224, 229 and 230.

* TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this 
  evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM 
  MDT Saturday.

* WINDS...For both Friday and Saturday, Southwest 15 to 25 mph 
  with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...For Friday, as low as 6 percent. For
  Saturday, as low as 10%.

* IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch 
  and spread rapidly and erratically.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

COZ220-250845-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FW.W.0048.260425T1800Z-260426T0200Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0047.260424T1700Z-260425T0300Z/
Upper Arkansas River Valley Including Lake County and Chaffee
County-
1031 AM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE
220...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 220...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Red Flag
Warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 220.

* TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this 
  evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM 
  MDT Saturday.

* WINDS...For both Friday and Saturday, West 15 to 25 mph with 
  gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...For Friday, as low as 8 percent. For
  Saturday, as low as 12%.

* IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch 
  and spread rapidly and erratically.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

COZ221-222-225>228-231>237-250300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0047.260424T1700Z-260425T0300Z/
Teller County/Rampart Range Including Pikes Peak and Florissant
Fossil Beds National Monument-
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
Southern Front Range Including Sangre De Cristo Mountains/Wet
Mountains/La Veta Pass-
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
1031 AM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
221, 222, 225, 226, 227, 228, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, AND
237...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 221, 222, 225, 226, 227, 
  228, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236 and 237.

* TIMING...Until 9 PM MDT this evening.

* WINDS...South 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and
  spread rapidly and erratically.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
500 
WWUS85 KPUB 250211
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
811 PM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

COZ220-224-229-230-251815-
/O.CAN.KPUB.FW.W.0047.000000T0000Z-260425T0300Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0048.260425T1800Z-260426T0200Z/
Upper Arkansas River Valley Including Lake County and Chaffee
County-
San Luis Valley Including Alamosa/Del Norte/Fort Garland/Saguache-
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
811 PM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT
SATURDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 220, 224, 229, AND 230...
...RED FLAG WARNING FOR TODAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has cancelled the Red Flag
Warning for today.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 224, 229 and 230.

* TIMING...From noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch 
  and spread rapidly and erratically.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

COZ221-222-225>228-231>237-250315-
/O.CAN.KPUB.FW.W.0047.000000T0000Z-260425T0300Z/
Teller County/Rampart Range Including Pikes Peak and Florissant
Fossil Beds National Monument-
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
Southern Front Range Including Sangre De Cristo Mountains/Wet
Mountains/La Veta Pass-
Northern El Paso County Including Monument and Black Forest-
Southern El Paso County Including Fort Carson and Colorado
Springs-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
811 PM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 221, 222, 225, 226, 227, 228,
231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, AND 237...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has cancelled the Red Flag
Warning for today.


$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Pueblo, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Apr 23, 11:23 AM MDT, 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Critical fire weather conditions expected for much of the area today, with the potential for another high fire danger day on Friday.
  • Shower chances increase area-wide Saturday night into Monday, with snow possible at times over the higher terrain, and isolated thunderstorms across portions of the plains.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 23, 11:23 AM MDT, 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1123 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Critical fire weather conditions expected for much of the area
  today, with the potential for another high fire danger day on
  Friday.

- Shower chances increase area-wide Saturday night into Monday,
  with snow possible at times over the higher terrain, and
  isolated thunderstorms across portions of the plains.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 136 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Currently...Upper low pressure system was centered over the
Intermountain West, gradually pushing northeast across the northern
Rockies and producing strong westerly flow across Colorado. Spotty
gusty winds continue across the forecast area as of 1 AM, but for
the most part winds are decoupling and RH levels have slowly risen.
As of 1 AM, temps remained mild with 40s to around 50F for the high
valleys, and 50s and 60s for the plains.

Today and Tonight...Latest models are showing the upper low to the
north tracking even further north, with a gradual northeast
movement. This track will restrict shower activity to the more
northern sections of the area, with just isolated coverage expected
across the central mts and Palmer Divide through the afternoon. An
isolated high-based shower may push across the far eastern plains
late aftn to early evening, with the most likely outcome being wind
gusts. A weak cold front will push south across the Palmer Divide
late afternoon, bringing a north wind shift and keeping temps cooler
than readings from Wednesday. Plan on highs today in the mid 50s to
lower 60s for the high valleys, and mid 60s to mid 70s for the
plains. Given less precip expected, along with persistent gusty
westerly winds, fire weather concerns will again be an issue today.
Please see Fire Weather section below for more details. Overnight
lows tonight, with very dry air under clearing skies, are forecast
to cool into the 20s for the high valleys, and 30s across the plains.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 136 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Friday...The low center to the north will be centered just north of
the US and Canada border on Friday, with broad westerly flow aloft
across the Four Corners region. It is expected to remain dry once
again for the area, with high temps about 5 degrees above readings
on Thursday. Gusty winds will be more spotty, but felt the potential
is there for another high fire danger day so went ahead and issued a
Fire Weather Watch. More on that in the Fire Weather section. Plan
on highs in the 60s for the high valleys, and upper 60s to upper 70s
for the plains.

Saturday through Monday...Longwave trough begins to develop over the
western third of the country Saturday, with one shortwave over the
Pacific NW joining with another low center pushing across the CA
coast. This whole messy conglomeration of upward forcing then tracks
across the Great Basin on Sunday, brushing by the Four Corners to
the north. Models hint at some widespread light precip with this
starting Sat night, being the heaviest through Sunday, then tapering
off through Monday, with snow for the higher terrain, and convective
showers across the plains. Specifics are difficult right now, and
model past performance would suggest another jog to the north that
would cheat the region of some beneficial precip. Therefore, will
remain hopeful and continue to monitor. As for temps, slightly
cooler all three days though Monday will be the coolest day of the
forecast, with afternoon readings actually near normal.

Tuesday and Wednesday...Long range continues to look unsettled, with
models indicating a longwave trough in place over the western third
of the country. Within this trough, two lobes of energy will
develop, one off the CA coastline, the other over ID and MT. These
two will then track east and merge mid-week, producing another round
of potentially widespread precipitation for the forecast area by
Wednesday. Temps at this time will still remain 5 to 10 degrees
above normal, so stay tuned. Moore

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1123 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

VFR conditions are expected at KALS, KCOS, and KPUB through 24
hours.

KALS: Winds remain generally westerly throughout the day and this
evening, gusting around 30-35 knots. Mid-level clouds will move in
and out throughout this forecast period.

KCOS: Gusty west-southwest winds will turn northwest this afternoon
as a front moves in, shifting more northeasterly behind the front.
Current data has winds shifting around 20-21Z, through around 00Z,
before weakening overnight. Mid-level cloud cover will persist.

KPUB: winds this morning will turn southwesterly ahead of an
incoming front, shifting winds northwest by 20Z or so and more
northerly after 00Z. Expect gusts this afternoon 30-35 knots, with
winds weakening overnight. Mid-level clouds will linger today but
skies should clear later tonight.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 136 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Critical fire weather conditions expected today as west winds at 15
to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph, develop through the
afternoon and combine with single digit RH levels. As precip chances
start to erode and pull to the north, decided to add Fire Zone 220,
Lake and Chaffee counties, to the Red Flag today. Most likely high
fire danger areas there will be the valley floor, affecting Salida
and Buena Vista. Looking ahead to Friday, less of a sure thing as
wind gusts will be a a bit more spotty through the afternoon. Very
dry conditions and receptive fuels remain, so decided to go ahead
and issue the Fire Weather Watch for much of the area. WFO BOU
joined with a few zones to the north, but will let later crews get
some more model runs in and perhaps make a more informed
decision.

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ220>222-
224>237.
Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening
for COZ220>222-224>237.

&&

SHORT TERM...MOORE
LONG TERM...MOORE
AVIATION...GARBEROGLIO
FIRE WEATHER...MOORE
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 23, 11:03 AM MDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1103 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-241715-
Western Mosquito Range/East Lake County Above 11000 Feet-
Leadville Vicinity/Lake County Below 11000 Feet-
Eastern Sawatch Mountains Above 11000 Feet-
Western Chaffee County Between 9000 and 11000 Feet-
Central Chaffee County Below 9000 Feet-
Western Mosquito Range/East Chaffee County Above 9000 Feet-
Saguache County West of Continental Divide Below 10000 Feet-
Saguache County East of Continental Divide Below 10000 Feet-
La Garita Mountains Above 10000 Feet-
Upper Rio Grande Valley/Eastern San Juan Mountains Below
10000 Feet-Eastern San Juan Mountains Above 10000 Feet-
Del Norte Vicinity/Northern San Luis Valley Below 8500 Feet-
Alamosa  Vicinity/Central San Luis Valley Below 8500 Feet-
Southern San Luis Valley-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 8500 And 11000 Feet-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Feet-
Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Feet-
Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Feet-
Northwestern Fremont County Above 8500 Feet-
Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Feet-
Wet Mountain Valley Below 8500 Feet-
Wet Mountains between 6300 and 10000 Feet-
Wet Mountains Above 10000 Feet-
Teller County/Rampart Range Above 7500 Feet/Pikes Peak Between
7500 And 11000 Feet-Pikes Peak Above 11000 Feet-
Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County-
Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below
7500 Feet-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range
Below 7400 Feet-Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet-
Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Feet-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Feet-
Crowley County-La Junta Vicinity/Otero County-
Eastern Las Animas County-Western Kiowa County-
Eastern Kiowa County-Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County-
Lamar Vicinity/Prowers County-Springfield Vicinity/Baca County-
1103 AM MDT Thu Apr 23 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Critical fire weather conditions are expected today for much of the
area, with a Red Flag Warning in place until 9 PM this evening. West
winds are forecast to increase to 15 to 25 mph with gusts as high as
45 mph, and minimum relative humidity levels dropping into the
single digits. Please refrain from all activities that could start a
fire.

One or two showers will be possible during the mid to late afternoon
over the Colorado/Kansas border, as a front moves through. Little to
no precipitation is expected, but outflow winds could reach 45-50
mph.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

High fire danger continues to be a threat for much of the area on
Friday, with very dry conditions and receptive fuels remaining in
place. Stronger wind gusts will be more spotty through the
afternoon.

Shower chances then increase area-wide over the weekend into early
next week as a weather system moves across the region, with the
greatest chance for precipitation occurring along the Continental
Divide Saturday night into Monday. Snow will be possible at times
over the higher terrain, with a risk of isolated thunderstorms for
portions of the plains. The main threat at this time with any storms
that do develop will be wind gusts to 50 mph, and cloud to ground
lightning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters will not be needed today or tonight.

GARBEROGLIO/GARBEROGLIO

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pueblo, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 22, 11:02 PM MDTFire Weather WatchPUBAlamosa, Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla and 14 more13 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Colorado, 2026Every red flag warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.