Today’s Forecast:
Heat then storms across southern Colorado today. High pressure is shifting east as incoming upper-level energy approaches from the north and west. Highs climb to the mid 80s to low 90s by the early afternoon, then, storms will develop. The upper level energy is moving in quickly, and a morning round of showers and t-storms is in the cards for parts of the Pikes Peak Region and I-25 corridor. These storms will then progress to the east. All showers and storms today will be capable of producing gusty wind. Afternoon storms have a better potential to produce small hail and are the main storms of note for the day.
Temperatures will be varied today - for those of us that see mainly cloudy conditions due to the upper level energy, highs will be noticeably cooler than on Wednesday. In areas that remain sunny - highs will only be a couple of degrees cooler. As skies clear from the early AM round of storms, temperatures will rocket up quickly. When the PM storms arrive, they'll drop temperatures again by 10-15 degrees. So - be prepared for a variety of conditions today - with heat through the early afternoon, and milder conditions in the late afternoon and evening.
A Red Flag Warning is in place for Park County in the upper Arkansas River Valley, as well as the central, southern, and western mountains from 11AM/12PM to 8PM/9PM depending on the specific county. If you're heading to the mountains for an extended weekend today, avoid outdoor burning (such as campfires), and activities that could start a fire.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 88; Low: 58.
Partly cloudy this morning with a few light showers possible. Scattered thunderstorms develop this afternoon capable of gusty wind, and a few storms are also likely to contain small hail. Northwest winds at 10-15 mph shifting south in the afternoon.
Pueblo forecast: High: 97; Low: 61.
Partly sunny with isolated afternoon thunderstorms. West winds at 5-10 mph shifting south in the afternoon.
Canon City forecast: High: 94; Low: 62.
Mostly sunny early, partly cloudy with storm chances by lunch time and a good chance for more than one storm. West winds at 10-15 mph.
Woodland Park forecast: High: 82; Low: 47.
Partly sunny with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. West winds at 10-15 mph.
Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 80s; Low: 50s.
Isolated morning showers, with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Northwest wind at 10-15 mph shifting north in the afternoon.
Plains forecast: High: 90s; Low: 60s.
Hot and mainly sunny this morning, increasing clouds and breezes in the afternoon with an approaching cold front. Late afternoon thunderstorms, a couple of which may be capable of quarter sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High: 90; Low: 57/58.
Mostly sunny with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. West winds at 10-15 mph.
Mountains forecast: High: 80s; Low: 50s.
Partly cloudy this morning with scattered thunderstorms throughout the afternoon. Pack the rain jacket! Breezy with southwest winds at 10-25 mph.
Extended outlook forecast:
Wetter air and another cold front will bring in better storm chances Friday and Saturday. Both days will be below average for highs - 70s/80s in the Pikes Peak Region with good PM shower and storm chances, with a couple strong.
Storm chances return mainly to the mountains Sunday and Monday as temperatures rebound to seasonable (upper 80s). We'll swing back to an unsettled pattern again by mid-week.
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Curious about the First Alert 5 Weather Storm Impact Scale? Check out our cheatsheet explainer.
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