429
FXUS63 KGLD 021920
AFDGLD

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1220 PM MST Mon Feb 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Increased fire danger today in the wake of a cold front with
  winds from the northwest gusting 25-40 mph.

- Highs in the 50s and 60s are forecast through the next week,
  except Wednesday which will be in the 40s and 50s.

- Some light rain showers are forecast Tuesday night. Some snow
  may be able to mix in as well. There is a 10% chance that
  freezing rain or drizzle develops, leading to slick spots.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1219 PM MST Mon Feb 2 2026

Current observations show the cold front has moved through most of
the area with winds mostly from the north. Speeds have increased to
around 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 25 to 40 mph. The front did lead
some areas to briefly warm into the 60s and approach Red Flag
criteria, but temperatures have since been slowly cooling behind the
front with relative humidity back towards the higher teens and low
20s.

Tonight, a benign night is forecast with mostly clear skies and
winds lowering to 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday, the area is forecast to remain under a broad trough and
northwest flow aloft. That being said, the main mass of cold air is
forecast to still be in the Northern US through the day. This should
allow most of the area to warm into the 50s, with upper 50s possible
south of I-70 if the mid level cloud cover delays until close to
noon. Winds otherwise should be around 10-15 mph with the area under
semi-broad low pressure at the surface.

Tuesday night, a reinforcing trough is forecast to move through the
Plains from the north. As it does so, it should bring the colder air
mass down through the Plains and into the area. It is also forecast
to advect some lower level moisture into the area ahead of the
cooler air mass. With the saturation, upper trough, and weak
associated surface front, precipitation is possible for most of the
area overnight. The majority of guidance continues to suggest that
QPF will range from 0 to 0.05". While some have amounts closer to
0.1-0.2", this is forecast to develop ahead of the cold air mass
that is acting like a front and lead to heavier rain showers.
Otherwise, most of the area (especially north of I-70) should see
mist/drizzle and some light rain showers. As the night progresses,
the colder air should push in and either change the rain to snow, or
allow for brief periods of freezing rain. The chance that freezing
rain or drizzle develops and leads to ice accumulations is below
10%, but things could become very slick if it does occur. The best
chance for this is north of I-70. The saving grace is that
temperatures near the surface may remain decently above freezing
through a majority of the night due to the cloud cover inhibiting
cooling and the increased moisture potentially increasing dewpoint
above freezing. Still, keep an eye on the forecast and have a plan
in case slick spots are able to develop Tuesday night/Wednesday
morning.

Wednesday, the upper trough should push off to the east with the
upper ridge in the west expanding into the area. This should end any
precipitation, drizzle, or fog through the morning hours. With skies
forecast to clear from west to east, temperatures should be able to
warm into the 50s for counties along the Colorado border, and 40s
for most of the area to the east. Winds are forecast to be around 15-
20 mph with the high pushing southeast of the area and a low
pressure area developing to the northwest.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 223 AM MST Mon Feb 2 2026

The long term period is forecast to be unseasonable warm due to a
cycling pattern west of our county warning area (CWA). A persistent
ridge is in place over the Intermountain West region as two
different low pressure systems cycle through off the coast of Baja
California. This upper level pattern will usher in mostly clear and
sunny skies for the long term period. High temperatures for Thursday
are forecast in the 60s with lows in the upper 20s to low 30s.

A shortwave trough exits our region Thursday afternoon causing windy
conditions for the northwest portion of the CWA. Gusts from 30-35
mph are forecast, but if temperatures are cooler than expected,
winds will be overall milder. These higher wind gusts coincide with
relative humidity (RH) values falling below 20% for portions of Kit
Carson county. Grassland Fire Danger Index values are also between
25-30 for Kit Carson and Yuma counties Thursday afternoon. This
could create a brief window of near critical fire weather
conditions. Winds quickly back down after sunset and return to our
typical diurnal pattern.

Friday continues to be warm as the Rex blocking pattern west of our
region remains in place, maintaining northwest flow aloft and
suppressing precipitation chances. High temperatures are forecast in
the upper 50s-low 60s Friday through Sunday with lows in the upper
20s to low 30s. Fire weather conditions are currently minimal with
RH values forecast in the upper teens for our Colorado counties and
20-30s for the rest of the CWA. The persistent warm pattern we are
in could dry things out and further lower forecast RH values as the
week progresses, increasing critical fire weather potential.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1002 AM MST Mon Feb 2 2026

For KGLD & KMCK... VFR conditions are forecast at both
terminals through the period. Winds have started shifting to out
of the north as a cold front moves through the area. Speeds have
increase to 15-20 kts with gusts up to 30 kts possible. The
winds should lower around sunset, with speeds between 5-10 kts.
There remains a 5-10% chance that KMCK sees some low ceilings
around 1000ft and/or fog close to 12Z. For now, it should be
well east of the terminal.

&&

.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...None.
CO...None.
NE...None.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...KAK
LONG TERM...Rhoades
AVIATION...KAK