Denver rolled out of bed Friday, March 27, under a low gray lid of clouds and a smoky haze, with thermometers hovering around 37°F by mid-morning. A few light showers might sneak through early, but the real issues are reduced visibility from the smoke and a stubborn low cloud deck that will make the morning commute feel extra dreary. By this afternoon, the clouds should thin out, and temperatures are expected to climb into the low 50s.
What To Expect Today And This Weekend
Friday stays mostly cloudy with a high near 54°F and east winds around 6 to 9 mph. Low clouds with ceilings near 3,000 to 4,000 feet are expected to burn off by early to mid-afternoon. Wildfire smoke drifting in from fires outside Colorado will linger as a nuisance through the day, with the thickest plumes likely lining up along the South Platte River Valley.
Winds pick up later Friday into Friday night, with southerly drainage gusts potentially reaching 40 to 50 mph at Denver International Airport and Centennial into early Saturday before they ease off. After that, temperatures rebound sharply to near 81°F on both Saturday and Sunday, and forecasters are eyeing periods of elevated to locally critical fire weather across parts of the plains and the Palmer Divide, according to the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder.
Smoke And Air Quality
Anyone with asthma, COPD, or other breathing conditions should take it easy outside while the smoke hangs around. For live AQI readings and a close look at the smoke plume, check the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map before heading out, and schools and coaches may want to move practices indoors if current values look rough.
Tips For The Weekend
If you have outdoor plans Saturday afternoon, you might want to bump them earlier in the day to sidestep the gusty winds and drier air, and make sure patio furniture, umbrellas, and tarps are secured. Mountain areas hold the best chance for measurable precipitation by mid-week as the pattern starts to shift, so if you are heading for the hills, pack layers and be ready for changing conditions.
