Denver woke up to cloudy skies and a cool 37°F on Sunday morning, April 26, and the day is only getting moodier from here. A damp, unsettled pattern is setting the stage for an unpredictable afternoon, with showers expected to build into scattered thunderstorms by midday. Highs should top out near 58°F before slipping back into the low 50s later in the day. Brief heavy downpours could leave streets slick, so plan on a slower, more cautious afternoon commute.
Afternoon Thunderstorms Likely
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder are calling for a slight chance of rain before noon, then showers and thunderstorms becoming likely by early afternoon. The chance of precipitation climbs to about 70%, with wind gusts that could reach 17 mph. Most showers should drop less than a tenth of an inch of rain, but a slow-moving storm could still deliver brief heavy rain, lightning and pockets of poor visibility during the prime action window from about 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26. If you have afternoon plans outside, either bring them indoors or be ready to hit pause as soon as lightning gets close.
Mountain Travel May Be Slick
Over the mountains, snow showers are expected this afternoon and tonight, which means higher mountain roads and passes are likely to turn slick. Chains or winter-rated tires may be needed to keep things safe. Before heading west, check real-time road conditions and cameras at COtrip and give yourself extra time on I-70 and other mountain corridors. If visibility drops in heavier bursts of snow, slow down and leave plenty of space for plows and road crews to work.
What To Expect This Week
Forecast discussions point to a cooler, more moist pattern hanging on through early next week, keeping periodic shower and thunder chances around Monday and Tuesday. Daytime highs will mostly land in the upper 50s to low 60s. Significant, long-lasting rainfall is not expected, but on-and-off showers look likely to linger through midweek.
How To Prepare
Keep a waterproof layer handy, make sure your phone is charged, and allow extra time on the roads - sudden downpours and lightning can turn even a short hop across town into a slow roll. If you are heading for the high country, pack chains or confirm your vehicle meets Colorado’s chain-law requirements, and keep a close eye on conditions before you go.
