Denver woke up Wednesday, April 15, to clear, cool skies and a chill that matched the early reading near 45°F at a local airport. The rest of the day looks far more pleasant, with a sunny, dry afternoon on tap and a high near 69°F. Just don’t let the brisk west-northwest winds fool you: gusts near 18 mph could make it feel cooler, especially along exposed ridgelines.
Afternoon Winds and Fire Risk
By Thursday, April 16, the script flips to warmer and drier conditions. Highs will jump into the upper 70s and afternoon humidity will drop into the teens across the plains. That combination of heat, low humidity and southwest winds has triggered a Fire Weather Watch for parts of the Palmer Divide, South Park and nearby eastern plains from Thursday morning through Thursday evening. Forecasters warn that gusts of 25 mph or higher are possible in exposed areas, raising the odds that any brush fire could spread quickly. According to the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder, residents should skip any open burning and secure loose yard items before conditions ramp up.
Friday's Cold Switch And What To Do
Then comes the hard turn. A much colder system moves in Friday, April 17, bringing rain that is expected to change over to snow, with about a 70% chance of precipitation and light accumulations possible along the Front Range and the I-25 corridor. Temperatures will tumble, with highs near 44°F on Friday and a hard freeze likely Friday night into Saturday morning. Lows are expected to dip into the upper teens to mid-20s, a hit that could damage newly planted gardens and uninsulated irrigation systems. To limit the fallout, cover vulnerable plants, drain or insulate irrigation lines, and be ready for slick spots on bridges and overpasses if temperatures drop quickly.
Weekend Rebound
The weekend brings a rebound, with temperatures climbing back into the 60s and 70s by Sunday and Monday, April 19–20, returning conditions to something closer to normal for this time of year. For more on this month’s warm, gusty pattern and earlier fire-weather alerts around the metro, check out our report on wind-whipped Red Flag fire fears, as per Hoodline.
