It’s been a summer of low air quality in the Boulder area, and this past weekend was no exception. The heat, however, was not as oppressive as it’s been, or certainly can be in the Front Range, which is a blessing to be sure. Forecasts that tended to the cool side of the mark did best, which typically leads to a win for Weatherbug, as it did this time around. Sunday was a warmer day than Saturday, by 10 degrees after it was surprisingly comfortable to begin the weekend. Still, 91 in the mountains is better than it could be. If only it didn’t smell like a campfire. Actuals: Saturday – High 81, Low 63 Sunday – High 91, Low 61
It’s Friday, bit I still have this forecast for Boulder to shoulder.
At 1120AM, MT, Boulder was reporting a temperature of 86 degrees with partly cloudy skies. There were air quality alerts in the mountains and front range, with red flag warnings along the Kansas and Wyoming borders. Meanwhile, there were a couple of showers beginning to bubble up, with heavier activity to the east of Steamboat Springs. The showers and storms today are a product of an upper level trough sweeping through the northern US. The wave is fairly weak at the upper levels, however given the heat and humidity in the plain, there will be plenty of juice for organization. The low developing in the lee of the Rockies will help reengage dry air in the Boulder area, with a northwesterly flow also likely to exasperate the smoke in the air. At least there should be some cooler temperatures tomorrow, but the sun will let things heat up again on Sunday. Tomorrow – Partly cloudy and hazy, High 85, Low 62 Sunday – Mostly sunny but hazy, High 92, Low 62
TWC: Tomorrow – Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 88, Low 62 Sunday – Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 94, Low 61
AW: Tomorrow – Nice with plenty of sunshine; wildfire smoke will cause the sky to be hazy High 87, Low 66 Sunday – Partly sunny High 92, Low 62
NWS: Tomorrow – Areas of smoke. Sunny, High 88, Low 61 Sunday – Sunny, High 93, Low 59
WB: Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke. High 84, Low 61 Sunday – Sunny, High 91, Low 61
WN: Tomorrow – Partly cloudy with areas of smoke, High 88, Low 60 Sunday – Sunny, High 93, Low 59
FIO: Tomorrow – Partly cloudy throughout the day. High 89, Low 65 Sunday – Clear throughout the day. High 94, Low 64
Take a look at the satellite imagery, and just how milky the image is, even in areas without cloud cover. Another smoky summer season.