Denver rolled into Thursday under clear skies, mid-60s temperatures and bone-dry air, the kind of morning that hints at full-on summer by lunch. The metro is expected to climb quickly to a high near 87°F this afternoon, and the combination of warmth, low humidity and afternoon gusts will make it feel hotter while nudging fire danger up across the nearby plains and foothills.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
By late morning, winds are expected to swing around to the west and ramp up through the afternoon, with sustained speeds generally between 7 and 13 mph and gusts that could reach about 21 mph along more exposed corridors. Those gusts, paired with relative humidity dropping into the low teens, have triggered a Red Flag Warning from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for parts of the northern plains and foothills. Residents are urged to skip outdoor burning and tie down anything that might go tumbling across the yard, according to the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder.
Legal Implications
Boulder County remains under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which limit open burning and make pile or recreational fires unlawful during periods of heightened fire danger. Surrounding counties may have similar rules in place. Violating these local restrictions can bring civil fines or other enforcement from county authorities, so it is worth checking your county website before you light anything outdoors. Current details are available from Boulder County.
Tonight Into The Weekend
Overnight, temperatures should slip back into the low 50s, offering a cooler breather before another warm one on Friday, when highs are expected to reach near 85°F with only a slight chance of an afternoon shower. The weather pattern then starts to shuffle this weekend as a stronger upper-level trough moves in, bringing cooler air and a rising chance of showers and thunderstorms from Saturday through Monday. The best odds for measurable rain arrive on Monday. If you are planning to be outside, be ready for breezy afternoons early in the weekend and the potential for wet, stormy interruptions later, according to the forecast discussion from the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder.
