724
FXUS65 KBOU 051736
AFDBOU

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1036 AM MST Thu Nov 5 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light mountain snow possible on Friday in the high country
  north of I-70.

- Pleasant temperatures and dry conditions are expected Thursday
  and then Saturday through early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Wednesday/...
Issued at 1105 PM MST Wed Nov 4 2026

Current radar shows the snow for the high country only lingering
in the southern third of Park County. Some additional snow of
1-2" will be possible there over the next few hours as the upper-
level low shifts off to the east. We expect the Winter Weather
Advisory to be allowed to expire at 2 AM Thursday. Some light
rain is also ongoing in far southern Lincoln County. A few more
scattered rain showers remain possible there, but this chance
quickly ends by 5 AM this morning. Lows tonight are forecast to be
similar to last night with temperatures near or just above
freezing for the plains and in the upper teens to 20s for the high
country. Thursday should be a pleasant day as a ridge aloft
briefly builds in. We expect mostly sunny skies and high
temperatures in the mid to upper 50s for the plains.

The trough on Friday has trended a bit further south since last
night, but moisture still looks minimal along with poor lift. Most
short-term guidance is showing at least some QPF for the central
and northern high country. Thus, Friday afternoon and evening now
has the chance for some light mountain snow above 8,500 ft. This
forecast remains in line with the previous package. For locations
in the high country mainly north of I-70, we are forecasting 2
inches of snow or less with perhaps a few locations approaching 3
inches. REFS DESI probabilities show the chance for any locations
in our area to receive >2 inches to be around 30% or less. RMNP,
the Mummy Range, the Indian Peaks, and the Never Summer Mountains
are most favored for the "higher" totals. Model soundings show
these locations could have a small amount of weak upslope. Some
light widely scattered rain showers could spread into Weld County
along and west of I-25, but there is only a 15% chance or less.
Otherwise, expect highs on Friday in the mid to upper 50s for the
plains with a slight increase in clouds compared to the last few
days.

From Saturday through at least Wednesday, ridging aloft will be
firmly in place for our area. Above average temperatures are likely
to prevail under mostly sunny skies. Ensemble guidance continues to
hone in on Sunday and Monday as the warmest days of the week with
high temperatures in the mid to upper 60s for the urban corridor and
highs near 70 F on the far eastern plains. High temperatures look to
stay in the low to mid 60s from Wednesday onward as the ridge shifts
a bit to the south. Any precipitation looks highly unlikely after
Friday through at least the end of the forecast period.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday/...
Issued at 1015 AM MST Thu Nov 5 2026

VFR conditions expected through the TAF period.

Light and variable winds are setting in across the TAF sites late
this morning. Expecting a gradual turn to easterly winds by 21Z-22Z
this afternoon with speeds remaining light. Winds are then
expected to transition to the southeast to south-southeast through
the evening at KDEN/KAPA, where they should remain through the
overnight hours. KBJC is expected to see a few hours of light and
variable winds tonight before turning to the NW to N through
Friday morning. Guidance is portraying a brief Denver Cyclone
developing Friday morning that should make for a gradual northerly
wind transition, with winds likely turning to the NE for the
afternoon, or becoming light and variable. Either way, winds are
expected to remain light (under 7kts) through the afternoon.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...MV
AVIATION...9

NWS BOU Office Area Forecast Discussion