


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Issued by NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
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189 FXUS65 KBOU 302339 AFDBOU Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 539 PM MDT Mon Jun 30 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Summer heat returns Tuesday and Wednesday, still a few storms mainly over the mountains. - Storm chances increase Thursday. - Scattered thunderstorms and normal temperatures are expected for the Fourth of July and Independence Day weekend. && .DISCUSSION /Through Monday/... Issued at 217 PM MDT Mon Jun 30 2025 A few showers and thunderstorms had developed in the more unstable airmass over the mountains this afternoon, but so far coverage has been a little less than anticipated. We still think South Park will end up with the highest coverage late this afternoon into early evening. Some late day instability/weakening CIN may allow a few showers/isolated storms to move onto the adjacent plains south of I-70 (10-30% chance) early this evening. For Tuesday and Wednesday, the center of the upper level ridge will shift slowly east across Colorado, bringing a return of summer warmth and a general decrease in shower/storm coverage. However, there will be some moisture stuck under the ridge Tuesday, and enough westerly flow aloft yet to allow a few high based showers/storms to push east from the mountains onto the plains. MLCAPE is limited (outside of the northeast corner) so generally gusty winds and lightning would be the main threats. The far northeast corner would have a low threat of severe with MLCAPE 1000 J/kg or greater there. On Wednesday, the upper level ridge is expected to shift slightly eastward into eastern Colorado. Thus, with little/no westerly flow aloft it will be very hard to get a storm on the plains. Mountain areas should still see isolated to scattered late day convection. For Thursday, we`ll still on track to see a plume of sub tropical moisture move northward. This occurs in deeper southerly flow developing between the upper level high shifting into the Central and Southern Plains and a weak trough lifting northward across the Desert Southwest. As a result, Thursday`s convective intensity and coverage is expected to increase, with likely the best chance (40-60%) of rain this week. As discussed yesterday, there is also a threat that the approaching trough from the southwest could end up being a player on Independence Day weather. However, the latest trends over the last 24 hours are for a faster and stronger ejecting trough Thursday and Thursday night. If this occurs then that shortwave could literally steal much of the thunder from Friday`s (Independence Day) forecast. It`s still too early to tell, but the latest trends would suggest a decrease in storm coverage and our PoPs have been adjusted accordingly with this latest guidance. Typical summer weather is then expected through next weekend, with temperatures at/just above normal levels and a few rumbles of thunder each afternoon and evening. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday/... Issued at 539 PM MDT Mon Jun 30 2025 Scatter/broken cumulus clouds at around 6000 feet to linger through about 03Z before they dissipate. Thunderstorms so far have been confined to the higher terrain southwest of Denver. Storms are expected to stay well south of DEN, but there still is a slight chance (10-20%) outflow from the current convection could produce a brief shower or storm through 03Z. Light east to southeast winds to slowly transition to the south to southwest after 06Z. For Tuesday, southerly winds become weak by 16-18Z. There will be a better chance for showers/storms Tuesday afternoon with about a 30 percent chance about 21Z. However, outflow winds will be likely. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Barjenbruch AVIATION...Meier