5/22/22 Sunday 7:10 am

For today through Thursday, a series of shortwave troughs will move through the northern portions of the forecast area. It is unlikely that any meaningful precipitation will be generated. Unfortunately, these short waves will compress the pressure gradient and enhance the winds for the next couple of days.  In the higher elevations above 10,000 feet, these disturbances could also generate some light snow showers from Telluride to Red Mountain and Wolf Creek Pass.

I don’t expect any rain to make it to the ground in other areas. Unfortunately, CAPE values will be elevated during the next couple of afternoons. The atmosphere will be unstable and we could see dry thunderstorms and lightning which would further enhance the gusty winds and keep fire risks elevated.

Here are the maps in motion from noon today through Wednesday morning.

We should get a break Wednesday and Thursday with warmer temperatures and less gusty winds. Then, it looks like the unsettled pattern will return for Memorial Day weekend. It is too early to predict with any degree of accuracy just yet, but most of the ensemble models are showing another series of systems coming down from the Pacific Northwest. I will be watching that throughout the week.

Next update is on Monday. Thanks for following and supporting the site!