Denver wakes up under a gray blanket this morning, with cool readings in the mid 50s before a quick warmup later in the day. Afternoon highs are expected to climb into the low to mid 80s. Once lunchtime passes, scattered showers and thunderstorms move into play, with the best shot in the mid to late afternoon, so a light rain jacket is not a bad idea if you are headed outside.
Afternoon Storm Risk
The National Weather Service is calling for about a 30 to 34 percent chance of storms across the metro this afternoon and notes that a few cells could turn strong. Those stronger storms may deliver heavy rain, small hail, and damaging wind gusts. If one of the beefier cells rolls over your neighborhood, brief gusts could spike up to 50 mph and visibility may tank quickly in the heavier downpours. Slow-moving storms may also drop a lot of rain in a short time over a small area, which can trigger sudden street flooding.
Commute And Travel
Drivers should be ready for a wet, occasionally gusty afternoon commute. Brief cloudbursts can flood low spots, back up storm drains, and slow traffic to a crawl. Yesterday’s storms brought hail across the area and triggered a ground delay at Denver International Airport, underscoring how quickly flights and road travel can be disrupted; see coverage in the Denver Gazette. If you have outdoor plans, keep a backup option and build in extra travel time.
Warming Through The Week
After today’s storm window and another shot at storms on Wednesday, the pattern turns drier and hotter later in the week. Highs jump into the upper 80s and low 90s by Thursday and Friday. The National Weather Service expects the weekend to heat up further, with highs in the lower to mid 90s. Anyone planning long stretches outside should watch the forecast and hydration closely. Overnight lows remain mostly in the mid to upper 50s, which will not offer much cooling relief on the hottest days.
Quick Tips
Stash a compact rain shell or umbrella for the afternoon and secure patio furniture or other lightweight backyard gear ahead of the gusts. On wet roads, ease off the gas and leave extra space to stop, and if you are flying, check your airline’s status page before heading to the airport.
