Denver started Sunday on a crisp note at 34°F under clear skies, but the city is in for a quick turnaround, with afternoon highs near 63°F today and a stronger warm-up into the low 70s on Monday. Light north winds on Sunday will shift to a southwest breeze on Monday, ahead of a storm system that brings rain to the plains and accumulating snow to the mountains late Monday into Tuesday. If you are heading into the high country, expect a wetter, colder setup to settle in on Tuesday and give yourself extra time for those trips.
This Afternoon Through Monday
Sunday stays mostly dry and partly sunny, with a high near 63°F and light north winds around 2 to 7 mph, then cooling into only the upper 30s overnight. Monday jumps to about 72°F with southwest winds of 3 to 9 mph and gusts that could reach the mid-teens. That warmer, breezier combo may create locally elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions south of I-70, according to the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder. Avoid outdoor burning or any spark-producing work in more vulnerable foothill and southern counties while those winds are up.
Tuesday And The Mountains
A stronger trough slides over Colorado on Tuesday, bringing rain showers to the Denver metro, with showers and a few thunderstorms possible and a daytime high near 53°F. Mountain areas are most likely to see accumulating snow from Monday night into Tuesday, with the heaviest mountain snow and lower-elevation rain focused on Tuesday, and travel in the high country could be difficult during the morning and afternoon. Check conditions before driving over the mountain passes and be ready for wet, slick roads and reduced visibility.
Smoke, Commute And Outdoor Plans
Planned prescribed burns at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge start Monday, and smoke may be visible around the metro and could affect air quality on breezier days, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says. If you have outdoor plans on Monday, think about shifting activities earlier in the day before drier, breezier conditions pick up; on Tuesday, build in extra time for any mountain travel and keep an eye on road and weather updates. This post will be updated if watches or warnings are issued for the metro or mountain corridors.
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