Denver rolled into Tuesday, May 19, under a gray lid of clouds and a sharp early chill near 36°F, with patchy fog and a thin coat of frost on lawns, roofs, and low-lying surfaces. The cold hangs on through the morning commute before clouds thin a bit and spotty showers make a comeback this afternoon.
Morning Frost And Fog
Overnight temperatures dipped low enough that a Freeze Warning and Frost Advisory are in effect across parts of the plains through 8 AM MDT Tuesday, May 19, putting unprotected plants and above-ground irrigation at risk. Gardeners are urged to move potted plants inside, cover tender vegetation, and disconnect hoses where they can. Drivers should watch for slick spots on bridges and other untreated surfaces in shaded areas during the morning rush.
What Forecasters Are Watching
The overall pattern stays unsettled through Friday, with scattered showers and repeated chances for thunderstorms. Forecasters expect a bump in shower coverage on Wednesday, followed by an increased risk of a few strong to possibly severe storms on Thursday afternoon and evening. Highs land near 50°F on Tuesday with evening lows in the low 40s. Localized downpours are on the table, but rainfall totals through midweek look generally light. For zone-specific watches, advisories, and detailed timing, check the latest from the NWS Denver/Boulder.
Afternoon Commute And Outdoor Plans
Scattered showers should become more common by mid-afternoon, with the best window for storms roughly 3 to 6 PM MDT Tuesday. That means the evening commute could be slow and wet. If you have outdoor plans, keep a backup rain option ready and plan for gusty pockets in stronger cells. Travel through the foothills, and higher elevations may run slower if precipitation briefly ramps up.
Weekend Outlook
By late week, upper-level ridging noses in, bringing a warming and drying trend. Highs rebound into the mid-70s on Saturday and head toward the low-80s on Sunday, with Memorial Day shaping up mostly sunny. In other words, cool and soggy to start the week, patio weather by the weekend.
Earlier Coverage
This system was first flagged in a previous Hoodline report; this update reflects the current advisories and refined timing for showers and storms. For the lead-up and broader setup, see Raw Rain, Gusty Winds and Freeze Watch Put Denver on Ice.
