Denver woke up under clear skies on Wednesday, March 25, and it already felt like a head start on summer. By the morning commute, temperatures were sitting in the mid-60s across the metro, with forecasters calling for a much hotter afternoon. Highs are expected to climb into the upper 80s, with some neighborhoods pushing near 89°F, while low humidity and gusty winds turn the warm air even drier across the plains.
Forecasters are calling for highs near 89°F on Wednesday, with south-southwest winds of about 6 to 13 mph and gusts that could reach roughly 21 mph. Relative humidity may drop into the low teens and even near 10% across parts of the plains, creating what forecasters describe as “elevated to locally critical” fire-weather conditions in spots. The National Weather Service Denver/Boulder says there are still no widespread Red Flag Warnings in effect, although isolated gusty outflow winds could flare up later in the day.
A cold front is expected to slide through sometime Thursday, with the coolest day of the stretch arriving Friday as highs fall into the 50s. There is a chance for light rain or mountain snow on Thursday night before temperatures rebound over the weekend. By Sunday and Monday, highs should be back in the upper 70s and low 80s. The warm stretch follows an unusually mild winter that meteorologists say has boosted the odds of late-March heat, according to the Denver Gazette.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Southwest and south winds are expected to ramp up through the afternoon, with gusts of 20 to 30 mph possible and brief, stronger outflow gusts a possibility near the foothills late in the day. Outdoor crews and event planners may want to secure canopies and loose equipment, and drivers should be ready for sudden crosswinds on exposed stretches of road. Aviation conditions should stay VFR, but pilots are advised to keep an eye on afternoon mixing and gusty surface winds.
What To Watch For
With very low humidity and gusty winds in the mix, residents are urged to avoid open burning and to postpone any spark-producing yard work until conditions ease. Anyone who spots smoke or an unplanned fire should call 911 right away and follow instructions from local first responders. During the hottest part of the afternoon, keep water and shade handy for vulnerable people and pets.
A noticeable cooldown is expected late Thursday into Friday as the front moves through, so it is worth checking local forecasts for the timing of any showers. For the latest watches or advisories, check in with the National Weather Service or your county emergency pages before locking in outdoor plans.
