Denver woke up Monday, March 16, to clear skies and a teeth-chattering 19°F, but do not get too attached to the chill. Highs near 49°F today are just the warm-up act. By Tuesday, March 17, the metro area is expected to jump into the low 70s, then surge into the 80s from midweek through the weekend, roughly March 18 to 21. That kind of whiplash weather could complicate mountain travel, shake up outdoor plans, and raise concern on the northern plains. Expect increasingly gusty afternoons and a shifting fire-weather picture as the pattern flips.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
A High Wind Warning is posted for parts of the mountains this morning, with strong cross-barrier flow kicking up gusty winds and blowing snow that can drop visibility along Highway 285 near Kenosha Pass. The warning is scheduled to run through 2 p.m. MDT Monday, March 16, and mountain snow showers are set to linger into Tuesday, March 17, with a few inches possible at the highest elevations. If you are headed over the passes, budget extra time and follow instructions from road crews and forecasters, according to the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder.
Record Heat Risk Later This Week
By midweek, a strengthening ridge will crank up the temperatures. Forecast highs are around 73°F on Tuesday, March 17, then climbing into the 80s from Wednesday through Saturday, March 18 to 21. Some outlooks even hint at mid-80s on Friday and Saturday. Stringing together five warm days like that in March would put Denver into record-challenging territory and has already raised eyebrows among local meteorologists. For more perspective on how rare a multi-day run of 80s is this time of year, see reporting from the Denver Gazette.
What To Expect And How To Prepare
Across the northern plains, expect breezy afternoons each day, which will help keep humidity low and push wildfire danger higher from Tuesday, March 17, through Saturday, March 21. Avoid open burning, secure trampolines, patio furniture, and any loose outdoor gear, and keep tabs on official watches and warnings. For the latest on wind, fire weather, and any changes to alerts, check in with the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder.
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