Denver rolled into Sunday with wet pavement and windshield wipers still doing overtime, as light rain and mid-40s temperatures gave commuters a gray, chilly start. The soggy mood will not last, though, with showers expected to wind down through the morning and a mostly sunny, comfortably mild afternoon high near 70 on tap.
Morning Showers Clear By Noon
Spotty light showers are expected to fizzle out as the morning wears on, leaving most of the city dry around midday and setting up a bright afternoon with east-southeast breezes near 2 to 7 mph. New rainfall totals should stay minor, generally under one tenth of an inch, which means most Sunday afternoon outdoor plans are still in good shape. That outlook comes from the National Weather Service.
From Snow To Sunshine
The quick warmup follows on the heels of a late-season snowstorm earlier this week that turned Front Range travel into a slog. For a recap of that system and its hit to the morning drive, see coverage of the heavy May snowstorm.
Midweek Heat And Elevated Fire Risk
Temperatures jump sharply to start the workweek, with Monday expected to make a run into the mid-80s, including a forecast high near 87 and gusts that could reach about 16 mph, before settling into the low 80s on Tuesday. By Wednesday, metro Denver could be flirting with highs around 90 to 91, and some forecast guidance even nudges parts of the area into the low 90s, a level that could tie a daily record at Denver International. With relative humidity projected to drop into the low teens, the National Weather Service is flagging the potential for elevated fire-weather conditions across the northeast plains, although there are currently no watches or warnings posted.
What To Plan For
Residents may want to stack outdoor plans on Sunday afternoon or during the cooler early mornings later this week, and keep plenty of water and shade available for kids and pets as the heat builds. Gardeners should shield more delicate plants from the rapid swings in temperature, while folks on the eastern plains need to be extra careful with open flames as humidity falls. Travelers are advised to check the latest National Weather Service updates, and anyone considering outdoor burning should keep a close eye on local burn restrictions.
