Denver started Friday, May 22, under a blanket of gray, with cool, cloudy skies and morning temperatures stuck in the low 40s. Sunshine is expected to break through as the day goes on, pushing highs to around 64°F, but late-afternoon into evening showers and a few thunderstorms are on the table, especially south of I-70 and over the Palmer Divide. The weekend then flips the script to much warmer and drier, with highs near 71°F on Saturday and a jump into the low-to-mid 80s by Memorial Day, May 25.
Friday Details
Most of Friday should turn mostly sunny with a light east-northeast breeze and a high near 64°F, according to the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder. Daytime looks mainly dry, but forecasters still peg about a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday night, with the better shot after roughly 5–6 p.m. The strongest focus for storms is south of the city along the Palmer Divide, where any cells that pop could bring brief heavy rain, lightning, and some localized slowdowns on the roads.
Weekend Outlook
Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 71°F and only a low-end risk of an isolated shower. Sunday turns up the heat to around 82°F. Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, currently looks like the toastiest of the bunch, mostly sunny with a high near 85°F and just a slight chance of an afternoon shower or storm. For background on the flip from a cool, wet week to a warmer holiday stretch, check out earlier coverage on the Denver commute in crosshairs, as per Hoodline.
Commute And Outdoor Plans
If your Friday includes evening plans, it is worth keeping an eye on the radar and having a quick move-to-shelter option ready for any lightning or heavier downpours that wander through. There are no active watches or warnings for the Denver metro as of Friday morning, but conditions can change quickly, so it is smart to check the National Weather Service before heading out. For weekend barbecues and park time, plan on plenty of sun and warmth in the middle of the day, and keep a simple backup plan in case a stray afternoon storm bubbles up.
Next Week
Forecasts show the ridge delivering the holiday warmth sliding east by Tuesday, which will open the door to southerly flow and a return of afternoon and evening shower and thunderstorm chances through midweek, with highs mostly holding in the upper 70s to low 80s. If you are heading into the mountains, late-season swings can still mean snow at higher elevations, so check both mountain road conditions and weather reports before you travel.
