Prowers County under fire weather watch as temperatures surge Thursday
A fire weather watch has been issued for Prowers County for Thursday afternoon through evening as the National Weather Service in Pueblo forecasts southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph and relative humidity values as low as 11 percent — potentially dangerous conditions for any fires that may develop.
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 11 a.m., will keep skies cloudy on Wednesday, with a high near 74 degrees. South winds will climb to 10 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph by afternoon. Showers will linger into Wednesday night before skies clear, with a low around 37 degrees.
Meteorologists in the Pueblo forecast office wrote in their Tuesday afternoon Area Forecast Discussion that “critical fire weather conditions” are returning to the southeast plains Thursday, with a follow-up system Friday expected to bring “more wind than precipitation.”
Wednesday through Thursday
Wednesday’s showers will clear the way for one of the warmest days of early spring in the region. Thursday’s high will reach near 83 degrees under sunny skies — a notable jump from Wednesday’s 74-degree reading. Southwest winds of 5 to 20 mph, gusting to 35 mph, will accompany the warmth. The National Weather Service has placed Prowers County under a Fire Weather Watch for Thursday afternoon through evening, citing conditions that would allow fires to spread rapidly and erratically.
Lamar, Colo. — Five-day forecast (April 1–5, 2026)
Period | Sky Conditions | High/Low | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday, Apr. 1 | Chance showers after 11 a.m.; cloudy | High: 74°F | S 10–25 mph, g40 |
Wednesday night | Chance showers before midnight; partly cloudy | Low: 37°F | W 5–20 mph, g35 |
Thursday, Apr. 2 | Sunny | High: 83°F | SW 5–20 mph, g35 |
Thursday night | Mostly clear | Low: 39°F | SW 10–20 mph, g35 |
Friday, Apr. 3 | Sunny | High: 68°F | N 15–25 mph, g40 |
Friday night | Mostly cloudy | Low: 27°F | N 15–25 mph |
Saturday, Apr. 4 | Sunny | High: 68°F | NNW 15–20 mph, g35 |
Saturday night | Mostly clear | Low: 28°F | E 10–15 mph |
Sunday, Apr. 5 | Sunny | High: 76°F | SSW 10–15 mph |
Source: National Weather Service, Pueblo — Issued March 31, 2026
(Kiowa County Press)
Friday and Saturday
A cold front will arrive Thursday night, sending temperatures back into a more seasonal range. Friday will be sunny with a high near 68 degrees, accompanied by north winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Saturday stays sunny with a high near 68 degrees and north-northwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, gusting to 35 mph.
Extended outlook
Sunday offers relief from the sustained winds, with sunny skies, a high near 76 degrees, and lighter south-southwest winds of 10 to 15 mph. Forecasters expect additional weather systems next week, with continued monitoring of fire weather potential.
Prowers County residents, ranchers, and agricultural producers should take the fire weather watch seriously on Thursday. Conditions Thursday afternoon will be favorable for rapid fire spread and erratic fire behavior. Burning and activities that could ignite dry vegetation are strongly discouraged during the watch period.
