As Denverites bask in the warmth of an 84-degree high today, the National Weather Service reports nothing but sunny skies and a gentle dance of winds shifting from south to north. Come evening, the clear skies promise to persist, giving way to a cool 51 degrees, ensuring a pleasant night for anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful evening stroll. However, those same breezes are expected to maybe elevate fire weather conditions as they whisk across drier terrains.
Looking to the rest of the week, Denver residents should prepare to steadily warm up, with a high of 86 on Thursday and climbing to 87 by Friday, according to the National Weather Service. But with those sunny days come gusts that could reach 15 mph, a note of concern as they could potentially create an environment ripe for fire hazards, specifically across the Palmer Divide and the eastern plains.
But a shift is on the horizon. This weekend Denver is bracing for a dip in temperatures and a significant increase in cloud cover. Rainfall is on the cards for the plains, and the higher elevations might just see a dusting of snow, as per the forecast. Saturday heats down to 70 degrees, coupled with a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms rolling in the afternoon. That same pattern is likely to continue into the night.
Unsettled weather will carry over into Sunday, with a chance of showers and the potential for thunderstorms in the afternoon. While the last sparks of warmth may still kindle in the high of 66 degrees, the possibility of wet weather persists into the evening. This may lead to concerns over recent burn areas, where rain and the remnants of fire-damaged land could mix to create flood conditions. The start of next week heralds a return of the sun, although scattered showers and thunderstorms remain slight possibilities until at least Tuesday.
For those eager to contribute with observations, the National Weather Service has put the call out that spotter activation is not currently needed. Still, with the weekend's forecasted shifts in climate, eyes will likely remain keenly on the skies for any rapid changes. For the most current updates, Denver's residents are encouraged to stay tuned to the National Weather Service advisories.
