A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for Prowers County and the surrounding southeast Colorado plains, with the National Weather Service in Pueblo cautioning that south winds of 20 to 30 mph and relative humidity as low as 7 percent will combine with dry fuels to produce critical fire weather conditions through the afternoon.

The warning, which covers fire weather zones 236 and 237, runs from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. MDT Monday. Lamar will be sunny and warm with a high near 86 degrees, and afternoon winds shifting from west to south. Overnight lows are expected to drop into the low 40s under partly cloudy skies.

Eric Petersen, a meteorologist with the Pueblo forecast office, wrote in Monday's Area Forecast Discussion that a weak upper-level wave along the New Mexico border and a surface lee trough will be "enough to generate some gusty winds over the far southeast, so kept the Red Flag Warning going for Baca/Prowers Counties," though he added the setup was "marginal" because the lowest humidity may occur at midday while stronger winds arrive later in the afternoon with slightly higher dew points.

Warming trend peaks Wednesday with extreme fire weather

High temperatures will climb through mid-week, with Lamar forecast to reach 89 degrees Tuesday and approximately 92 degrees Wednesday — a potential late-April benchmark for the city. The Pueblo office has already issued a second Red Flag Warning for Wednesday, in effect from 10 a.m. through midnight for fire weather zones 220 through 222 and 224 through 237, which includes Prowers County and nearly all of southeast Colorado. Criteria cited include southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, gusts to 60 mph and relative humidity as low as 5 percent.

"Very dangerous fire weather conditions forecast for Wednesday and possibly Thursday, with wind gusts 50 to 60 mph and humidity values under 10 percent," Petersen wrote. A strong cold front is then expected to sweep south through the plains Wednesday afternoon or evening, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures and a shift to strong north winds behind it.

Five-day forecast for Lamar, Colo. — April 20–24, 2026

Source: National Weather Service, Pueblo — Issued April 20, 2026

(Kiowa County Press)

Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday will bring sunny skies and a high near 89 degrees in Lamar, with south winds of 5 to 15 mph becoming westerly by evening. Overnight lows will hold in the upper 40s.

Wednesday is the day of greatest fire concern. South-southwest winds will increase to 20 to 25 mph during the afternoon ahead of the approaching front, with gusts of 35 mph possible and humidity dropping into the single digits. Outdoor burning should be avoided and residents should be prepared to secure loose items and trailers ahead of the strongest winds.

Extended outlook: Thursday and Friday

Thursday will turn cooler behind the front, with a high near 80 degrees in Lamar and northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph. Friday will be noticeably cooler still — a high near 71 degrees — with north-northeast winds shifting to easterly in the afternoon. Lows will drop into the mid-30s Thursday night, posing a possible concern for sensitive vegetation.

The Climate Prediction Center's 6- to 10-day outlook, valid April 25 through 29, continues to favor above-normal temperatures across the Central and Southern High Plains, with near-normal precipitation. The 8- to 14-day outlook (April 27 through May 3) flags a slight risk of heavy precipitation for portions of the Southern Plains and notes significant wildfire risk across the Great Plains as drought and stressed vegetation persist.

Safety

The National Weather Service urges Prowers County residents to observe any local burn restrictions, avoid tossing cigarettes from vehicles, keep trailer chains from dragging on pavement, and report any new wildfires immediately by calling 911. Updates are available at weather.gov/pueblo and on NOAA Weather Radio.