Red Flag Warning 54, NWS Pueblo, CO

646 
WWUS85 KPUB 180257
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
857 PM MDT Sun May 17 2026

COZ230-233-181900-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FW.W.0053.000000T0000Z-260518T0300Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0054.260518T1700Z-260519T0200Z/
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
857 PM MDT Sun May 17 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT
MONDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONES 230 AND 233...
...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
230 AND 233...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 230 and 233.

* TIMING...From 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Monday.

* WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 4 percent.

* IMPACTS...Extreme fire danger is expected. Fires will 
  uncontrollably spread and be very destructive.

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.

&&

$$

COZ237-181900-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FW.W.0053.000000T0000Z-260518T0300Z/
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0054.260518T1700Z-260519T0200Z/
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
857 PM MDT Sun May 17 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT
MONDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 237...
...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 237...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 237.

* TIMING...From 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Monday.

* WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 4 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.

&&

$$

COZ222-225-228-229-231-232-234>236-180400-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FW.W.0053.000000T0000Z-260518T0300Z/
Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek-
Southern Front Range Including Sangre De Cristo Mountains/Wet
Mountains/La Veta Pass-Pueblo County Including Pueblo-
Huerfano County Including Walsenburg-
Crowley County Including Ordway-
Otero County Including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands-
Kiowa County Including Eads-Bent County Including Las Animas-
Prowers County Including Lamar-
857 PM MDT Sun May 17 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 222,
225, 228, 229, 231, 232, 234, 235, AND 236...

Winds have begin to weaken and have turned northeasterly across 
much of the warned area. This will continue to help humidity 
values to improve through the rest of this evening. The warning 
will be allowed to expire as scheduled.

$$

128 
WWUS85 KPUB 180704
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
104 AM MDT Mon May 18 2026

COZ230-233-182315-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0054.260518T1700Z-260519T0200Z/
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
104 AM MDT Mon May 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 230 AND 233...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 230 and 233.

* TIMING...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening.

* WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 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.

&&

$$

COZ237-182315-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0054.260518T1700Z-260519T0200Z/
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
104 AM MDT Mon May 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 237...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 237.

* TIMING...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening.

* WINDS...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

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

* IMPACTS...Extreme fire danger is expected. Fires will 
  uncontrollably spread and be very destructive.

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.

&&

$$

061 
WWUS85 KPUB 182220
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
420 PM MDT Mon May 18 2026

COZ230-233-190200-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0054.000000T0000Z-260519T0200Z/
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
420 PM MDT Mon May 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
230 AND 233...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 230 and 233.

* TIMING...Until 8 PM MDT this evening.

* WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 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.

&&

$$

COZ237-190200-
/O.CON.KPUB.FW.W.0054.000000T0000Z-260519T0200Z/
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
420 PM MDT Mon May 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE
237...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 237.

* TIMING...Until 8 PM MDT this evening.

* WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 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.

&&

$$

787 
WWUS85 KPUB 190036
RFWPUB

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
636 PM MDT Mon May 18 2026



COZ230-233-237-190145-
/O.CAN.KPUB.FW.W.0054.000000T0000Z-260519T0200Z/
Western Las Animas County Including Trinidad and Thatcher-
Eastern Las Animas County Including Pinon Canyon-
Baca County Including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands-
636 PM MDT Mon May 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 230, 233, AND 237...

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

Across the far southern plains, the cold front that has been in
place just south of Highway 50 through the day has finally 
surged southward and pushed into New Mexico and the Oklahoma 
Panhandle. While gusty northerly winds are expected for another
few hours, humidity values have greatly increased, with 
observations reading 45-55% humidity across the region. Given 
this, the Red Flag Warnings in place across Las Animas and Baca 
Counties have been cancelled early. 

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1107 AM MDT Sun May 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- High fire danger is expected to continue across much of the
  plains today, especially for areas south of Highway 50.

- Chances for showers and thunderstorms continue north of
  Highway 50. Some storms may be strong to severe, especially
  over the Palmer Divide.

- A cold front comes through tonight, bringing cooler
  temperatures for much of the area tomorrow. All areas will be
  cooler with increasing chances for precipitation for Tuesday
  into Wednesday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 1238 AM MDT Sun May 17 2026

Today and Tonight..

Temperatures are still in the 50s and 60s across the plains with
mostly clear sky conditions. The surface front has pushed back
across our northern tier of counties and into the Lower Arkansas
River Valley as of midnight. Southwest flow aloft remains in place
over the region though as we sit on the eastern periphery of a
trough that is digging into the Rockies. Southwest flow is expected
to "win" through much of the day today on our plains for all areas
south of Highway 50. Areas south of Highway 50 can expect critical
fire weather conditions, while areas north can expect chances for
showers and thunderstorms. Some storms may be strong to severe,
especially over the Palmer Divide, and possibly over Lake, Chaffee,
Teller and Fremont counties as well, where wind shear will be
maximized. Damaging winds will be the most likely threat with
convection today, though 1 inch hail may also be possible in one or
two stronger storms on the Palmer Divide or across far eastern El
Paso County. Lightning starts may be possible in the high country,
as convection will very high based and wetting rains are unlikely.
Areas south of Highway 50 can expect southwest winds with gusts of
30 to 40 mph, and relative humidity values in the low teens and
single digits. Please use extreme caution and take care not to start
a wildfire today! Daytime highs will be very dependent on where the
front ends up parking for the day, but generally expect mid 80s to
low 90s along and south of Highway 50, and 60s to 70s north of
Highway 50. After sunset the cold front manages to advance across
the plains again, helping moisture recoveries across the region.
Isolated and light showers spread south across the I-25 corridor
behind the frontal boundary, though measurable rainfall will be
minimal south of Highway 50. Overnight lows will be several degrees
cooler than last night, with most of the plains and mountain valleys
cooling into the 40s.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1238 AM MDT Sun May 17 2026

Monday..

A low moves into the Utah/Colorado border region by Monday morning,
and models bring the trough axis and more favorable jet placement
for strong winds overhead across our southern mountains and the San
Luis Valley throughout Monday morning and early afternoon. For now,
winds look to remain sub-warning levels, though the San Luis Valley
may get close. 50 mph winds are likely across the Valley, which will
raise concerns for blowing dust on Monday afternoon. Blowing snow
will also be a concern for the San Juans and the central mountains
throughout Monday. Though accumulations look to be minimal in both
ranges, generally less than 4 inches, blowing snow and poor travel
conditions from degraded visibilities may be possible, especially
over mountain passes. A quick 2 to 3 inches will be possible on top
of Pikes Peak as well, with a dusting down to 8000 feet or so across
the rest of Teller County. Winds weaken by Monday evening, and snow
comes to an end overnight Monday night. On the plains Monday,
southwest flow once again shoves the front back northwards through
the heat of the day. For now, southwest flow looks to "win" across
only our southern tier. For this reason, a Fire Weather Watch
remains in place for Monday just for Las Animas and Baca Counties.
Daytime highs will once again depend on where the southwest flow
wins. Baca, Las Animas, Bent, and Prowers counties are likely to see
highs back into the 80s, with all other locations in the 50s and 60s
for highs. Showers and thunderstorms continue for areas along and
north of Highway 50 on Monday, and though there is a ton of shear,
we look to be too cool and stable to warrant concerns for severe
development.

Tuesday Onwards..

The cold air *finally* wins on Tuesday on the plains, though for now
it looks like the San Luis Valley will still be warm and windy on
Tuesday. They will likely be the warmest spot on the map if this
forecast remains on track, with highs back into the 70s. The plains
are expected to be in the 50s and 60s on Tuesday, with continued
precip chances over the Pikes Peak region throughout the daytime
hours. Precip chance spread southwards across the plains through the
evening and overnight hours, with best chances for widespread
rainfall through early Wednesday morning. Models keep us in
messy/active flow with shortwave embedded in the larger troughing
pattern both Tuesday and Wednesday. This looks to keep us cool and
active both days, with little to no fire weather concerns. Chances
for showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast for the second
half of the work week and into next weekend as well, especially over
and near the higher terrain. Temperatures look to warm back into the
near normal range for Thursday and Friday, with warmer than normal
temperatures possible for next weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1105 AM MDT Sun May 17 2026

Gusty southerly winds will pick up at all three terminals this
afternoon with directions more southeasterly initially at KCOS and
KPUB and more southwesterly at KALS.  Wind gusts up to 30 to 35 kts
will be possible this afternoon. -TSRA will be possible in and near
KCOS which could erratic wind directions from thunderstorm outflows
after 20z with gusts up to 40 kts possible. This will reinforce
a cold front which will drop southward bringing strong north to
northeast winds into both KCOS and KPUB between 00-02z. Gusts
up to 35-40 kts will be possible. Meanwhile, winds will
gradually slacken off at KALS during the evening hours but
settle from a southerly direction around 10-15 kts most of the
night.

Stratus will fill in rapidly at KCOS and KPUB around 06z with -SHRA
and BR possible after 08z as cigs drop into the IFR category.  Once
winds shift from the southeast, KCOS could see LIFR conditions
develop and persist through the tail end of the TAF valid period.

KALS will see winds pick up around 13Z from the south to southwest.
Gusts up to 45 kts will be possible with restrictions to vis
possible in BLDU Monday morning.  -KT

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ222-225-
228>237.
Fire Weather Watch from Monday morning through Monday evening
for COZ230-233-237.

&&

SHORT TERM...EHR
LONG TERM...EHR
AVIATION...KT

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1112 AM MDT Sun May 17 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-181715-
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-
1112 AM MDT Sun May 17 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected
today for areas north of Highway 50. Some storms may be strong to
severe, especially over the Palmer Divide, but also for portions
of Lake, Chaffee, Fremont, and Teller counties. The main risk with
stronger storms in these areas today will be damaging winds with
gusts in excess of 60 mph. One or two stronger storms may be
capable of producing 1 inch hail, especially over northern and
eastern El Paso County. New fire starts from dry lightning will
also be possible with storms today.

Widespread high fire danger is expected today, especially for
areas south of Highway 50, and for all of our eastern mountains.
Southwest winds with gusts of 30 to 40 mph are likely in these
areas today, along with humidity values in the low teens and
single digits. Please use extreme caution and take care not to
start a wildfire today.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

High fire danger continues for our southern plains tomorrow,
mainly across Las Animas and Baca counties. Southwest winds
gusting 40 to 50 mph and single digit humidity values are likely
in these areas on Monday, which could lead to extreme fire
behavior for any new or existing fires.

Chances for showers and weak thunderstorms persist daily for
Monday through Friday, especially over and near the higher
terrain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will
be likely over portions of the region.

31/31