Denver woke up to blue skies and a crisp start on Saturday, May 23, with temperatures hovering around 43°F at the KBJC observation site. The cool morning will not last long: the rest of the day is expected to turn dry and comfortably warm, with highs pushing into the mid-70s and then climbing into the 80s later in the holiday weekend. If you are heading outside, think sunscreen for the midday sun and a light jacket for the early hours, as only isolated afternoon storms are on the table through early next week.
Today And Tonight
Saturday is set to stay mostly sunny with a high near 75°F and light east winds. By tonight, skies turn mostly clear, and temperatures drop back to around 42°F, with calm to light winds and very low chances for any rain this afternoon. These details come from the National Weather Service.
Weekend Outlook
Sunday looks to be the warmest day of the weekend, with highs expected to reach about 83°F. Then Monday, Memorial Day (Monday, May 25), is on track to be even warmer, with highs near 85°F. There is a slight chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm for parts of the metro on Monday, but most neighborhoods should stay dry. Higher up, mountain areas remain the spots to watch for late-season snow and mixed precipitation at the loftier elevations.
Memorial Day And Early Week
Memorial Day itself is forecast to be mostly sunny, but afternoon moisture will inch up, bringing the possibility of an isolated shower or thunderstorm after noon. Plan for the usual afternoon heating and keep an eye out for pockets of lightning if storms bubble up. The chance for afternoon and evening storms goes up on Tuesday and Wednesday as moisture returns, especially over the eastern plains. Forecasters currently have no active watches or warnings for the Denver metro, but conditions can flip quickly, so checking the National Weather Service forecast before heading out is still a smart move.
What This Means For Plans
For barbecues and long-weekend gatherings, midday and early afternoon look like the sweet spot: plenty of sun and warm temperatures, with only the chance of a late-day pop-up storm bringing brief heavy rain or lightning. If your plans involve the foothills or mountain hikes, expect cooler readings and the possibility of rain or even snow at higher elevations, so pack layers and stay on top of road conditions. Keep a weather app or radar handy and be ready to head indoors quickly if lightning shows up.
