Pacific moisture ends quiet stretch for Southern Colorado

Southern Colorado residents can expect a shift in weather patterns beginning this weekend. The current dry conditions will give way to moisture, cooler air, and mountain snow. This change marks a departure from the quiet stretch of the week.

Thursday remains calm under a dry westerly flow. Overnight lows will drop to the 20s in high mountain valleys and the 30s to lower 40s across the plains. Locally dense fog is possible on the eastern plains late tonight and early Thursday morning. Isolated showers may occur near the far southeast border by Thursday afternoon.

Pueblo is forecast to reach 65 degrees with a low of 39. Skies will be mostly clear to partly cloudy. Colorado Springs will see a high of 64 and a low of 38 with partly sunny skies. Canon City is expected to hit 68 degrees with a low of 40. Woodland Park will be cooler, with a high of 58 and a low of 37.

The weather pattern changes on Friday. A deepening Pacific trough will push moisture into western Colorado. A weak disturbance moving south will bring a chance of showers to the far southeast plains and light showers to the mountains.

Saturday will see increasing southwest flow aloft. This will pull moist Pacific air across the region. Showers are expected to build through the day over the high mountains. Lower elevations will remain mostly mild.

The most impactful weather arrives from Sunday through Tuesday. An upper-level trough will strengthen over the Four Corners. Heavy mountain snow and rain are expected on the Continental Divide and in the San Luis Valley. Forecasters note additional flooding potential in these areas. Snow is expected to increase on Monday.

A wintry mix or rain and snow showers could spread into mountain valleys and adjacent plains as temperatures drop. Windy conditions are expected on the back side of the system. The forecast indicates the flooding threat remains low for this event.