We continue to see a shift in the weather pattern as another front moves through today. Its effects will be mainly in the form of slightly cooler temps and another round of thunderstorms. The real changes arrive tomorrow through Friday.

For today we start out with mostly to partly sunny skies above. Late morning will see things clear a bit before we start to see clouds increase in the afternoon. Temperatures will be topping out in the upper 60s, close to 70 degrees.

By mid to late afternoon we see chances for thunderstorms and showers although they are not expected to be anything extraordinary. Tonight, after about 9:00pm, rain coverage will increase and showers become likely through tomorrow.

Lows tonight will be chilly as the mercury dips to around 40 degrees.

The next low pressure system arrives tomorrow and that is going to bring in significant changes. High temperatures on Thursday and Friday will be only in the low to mid-40s coupled with respectable amounts of precipitation.

Thursday night into Friday morning we are going to temperatures drop to close to freezing and that will then help introduce a chance for snow early Friday morning. How much? Well, that is tough to tell yet with many variables at play. We could very well see an inch or two of the white stuff. However, it is also feasible we only see a mix of rain and snow with no accumulation at all. Certainly any that falls is going to melt quickly. We’ll have a better feel for things tomorrow when the system is closer.

We begin to see signs of a change in the weather pattern today. Temperatures cool a bit and the afternoon and evening will bring a few storms to the area.

We start out under sunny skies but then moisture aloft will be increasing leading in more clouds as the day progresses. Temperatures will be topping out in the mid-70s, just a bit above the average of 72 degrees for the date.

Some high-based thunderstorms may develop this afternoon with the best opportunity coming from about 5:00pm through 9:00pm. Gusty winds and some rain will be the biggest threat in our area. A few showers and storms may linger after dark into the early morning hours Wednesday.

Look for lows tonight to dip to the mid-40s.

Keep an eye out for the storms with our interactive radar here.

Today’s weather will feature very similar conditions to what we saw this past weekend. Plenty of sun will be above and temperatures will top out around 10 degrees above normal.

We start out with some cloud cover then will see that ease a bit by mid-morning. Overall, look for mostly sunny skies. Winds will be calm and out of the southeast for most of the day then become a bit breezy by late afternoon and evening. Temperatures will top out right near or above the 80 degree mark. Average for today’s date is 71 degrees.

Looking at the rest of your week, things start to become unsettled and cooler tomorrow. The overall trend will be one toward a potential for wetter weather and cooler temperatures. Get more details in our extended forecast here.

Gone are the severe storms and rain of earlier this week and they will be replaced by blue skies and unseasonably warm temperatures for the weekend.

For today we will have sunny skies for most of the day. Just a few clouds may arrive in the late afternoon along with some breezy winds. Temperatures will top out right near the 80 degree mark. Tonight skies will be mostly clear with lows near 50 degrees.

Tomorrow looks to be much like today but just a touch warmer. Sunny to mostly sunny skies will be above as Saturday’s highs climb to the low 80s. Overnight Saturday into Sunday morning lows dip to near 50 degrees again.

We close out the weekend with another warm day, albeit with a few more clouds. Look for highs in the upper 70s under mostly sunny skies.

Have a great weekend!

After receiving rain three out of the last five days, today begins the transition toward drier and warmer conditions. There may be a few sprinkles early but after that we will see the sun stage a return and begin a dry period that will last into next week.

Early this morning it will be cloudy but by 8:00am clouds will gradually ease and by the late afternoon mostly sunny skies will be above. Temperatures start out a bit cool but then begin a steady climb toward a high in the mid-60s. Winds will be calm.

Tonight, skies remain mostly clear and the mercury will dip to a low in the mid-40s.

Looking ahead, warm and dry will be the two operative weather words for the foreseeable future. Highs close to and even above 80 degrees will be on tap through Monday.

With a low pressure system preparing to pass to our south and a cold front coming from the north, we can expect to see things cool down further today. Moisture is quite high as well and that will lead to rain showers for a good part of the day.

We start with cloudy skies and can expect similar conditions throughout the day. Don’t expect to see the sun much. Temperatures will top out in the upper 50s.

Rain will be possible throughout the day with the best chances and most intensity coming afternoon and into the evening. Some thunder might be mixed in there at times.

Springtime in Colorado means thunderstorms and we were reminded well of that fact yesterday. Today Mother Nature will serve up another round although at this time they don’t appear like they will be as intense.

We start out with mostly cloudy skies, perhaps a sprinkle of rain very early. Similarly mostly overcast conditions will be above throughout the day. Temperatures will be climbing toward a high around 66 degrees, a few below normal.

By around noon we begin to again see slight chances for showers and thunderstorms and the opportunity increases through the afternoon and last into the evening. Best chances for severe level activity come from about 2:00 to 5:00pm. Damaging hail, wind and lightning are all possible. Like yesterday though, the worst of the activity is expected to be to our south and east but we are not out of the risk area.

Keep an eye on our Severe Weather Briefing Page for the latest.

Yesterday afternoon’s fast hitting thunderstorm served as a reminder of Mother Nature’s temper this time of year and may have just been a warmup for today’s action. Temperatures will be cooler today but storm chances increase as will their severity.

We start out the day with mostly clear skies then will see a gradual increase in cloud coverage by mid to late morning. A weak cold front will move through helping to keep temperatures down. Look for a high temperature today in the low to mid-70s.

That front will also help serve as a focus for thunderstorm development as its cold air meets warmer air from the south. Thunderstorm development will begin in the early afternoon then become more likely in the late afternoon and evening. Strong winds, large hail and possibly an isolated tornado will be possible. We do expect the main areas of concern to be to Thornton’s south and east but we can’t rule out activity in our area as well.

As always for this time of year, our Severe Weather Briefing Page is your one-stop-shop.

May 7 to May 13: This week in Denver weather history

Think we are done with snow for the season? That may be the case this year but it isn’t always so. Looking back at this week in Denver history we do see snowfall has occurred along with more typical spring weather including heavy rains that led to flooding.

From the National Weather Service:

4-8

In 1969…heavy rains caused flooding on Boulder creek in Boulder…which resulted in one death on the 7th. Flooding also occurred on Bear Creek in Sheridan and on the South Platte River in Denver. Rain over most of the eastern foothills started late on the 4th and continued with only brief interruptions in many areas until the morning of the 8th. Very high rates of rainfall occurred on the 6th and 7th with the greatest intensities in a band along the foothills from about 25 miles southwest of Denver northward to Estes Park. Storm totals by both official and unofficial measurements exceeded 10 inches over much of this area and were over 12 inches in some localities. Heavy snow fell in the higher mountains and in the foothills later in the period. The saturation of the soil resulted in numerous rock and land slides…and the heavy run-off caused severe damage along many streams and flooding on the South Platte River. Many foothill communities were isolated as highways were blocked and communications disrupted. Roads were severely damaged over a wide area…and a large number of bridges washed out. Many roads were closed due to the danger from falling rocks. A building in Georgetown collapsed from the weight of heavy wet snow. In Boulder…a man drowned when caught by the flooding waters of Boulder Creek…and a patrolman was injured. Rainfall totaled 7.60 inches in Boulder with 9.34 inches recorded at the Public Service Company electric plant in Boulder Canyon. In Morrison…rainfall totaled 11.27 inches in 4 days. Heavy rainfall totaled 4.68 inches at Stapleton International Airport over 3 days from the 5th through the 7th. Rainfall of 3.14 inches was recorded in 24 hours on the 6th and 7th. Downstream flooding continued along the South Platte River until the 12th when the flood crest reached the Nebraska line.

6-7

In 1873…snowfall totaled 8.9 inches in downtown Denver. Most of the snow fell on the 6th.

7

In 1904…west winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts to 60 mph. A shower produced 0.16 inch of rain.

In 1953…a microburst caused a brief wind gust to 58 mph at Stapleton Airport.

In 1958…3/4 inch diameter hail fell over south metro Denver… 10 miles southwest of Stapleton Airport.

In 1977…baseball size hail damaged windows in Wheat Ridge. Hail was 4 inches deep on the ground in Arvada. Hail 3/4 to 1 inch diameter fell in Westminster and Kittredge.

In 1990…a fast moving cold front produced wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph. Brighton reported a wind gust to 57 mph…while north wind gusts to 44 mph were measured at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1995…severe thunderstorms struck Aurora. Hail piled 4 to 5 inches deep in the vicinity of Quincy Reservoir in south Aurora. Lightning struck an Aurora police communications tower causing significant malfunction to the primary system. Minor damage was sustained when lightning struck an apartment building. Hail…up to 1 1/4 inches in diameter…while soft and slushy…accumulated up to 6 inches deep in 15 minutes. Many streets were closed for an hour or more due to flooding caused by heavy rain and melting hail stones. Some trees were stripped of their leaves. Hail as large as 1/2 inch diameter was measured at Denver International Airport where a funnel cloud was sighted.

In 2003…a tornado touched down briefly near Bennett…but did no reported damage.

In 2005…severe thunderstorms produced 3/4 inch hail near Brighton and a thunderstorm wind gust to 60 mph near Fort Lupton.

In 2014…Severe thunderstorms produced large hail, from 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter, across parts of Arvada, Broomfield, Dacono, Northglenn and Thornton.

7-8

In 1958…rainfall totaled 2.50 inches at Stapleton Airport.

8

In 1873…a very light rain fell until 5:00 am…when it turned into light snow and sleet and was accompanied by brisk northeast winds. The snow froze as it fell… Breaking the telegraph lines in many places. Precipitation totaled only 0.14 inch in the city.

In 1883…a severe rain and hailstorm struck the city. In 25 minutes the hail was 5 inches deep in the vicinity of the weather office in downtown Denver and reported as deep as 10 to 12 inches in other parts of the city. Gutters were blocked by the hail…and many cellars were flooded. Precipitation from the storm was 1.90 inches with the total for the day recorded at 2.02 inches. The size of the hail was not recorded.

In 1988…a wind gust to 68 mph was recorded at Echo Lake. Northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton Airport.

In 1995…high winds of unknown strength blew a camper shell from the back of a pickup truck near Fort Lupton. North winds gusted to 49 mph at Denver International Airport.

In 1996…1 to 2 inch diameter hail was measured in Lochbuie northeast of Denver. Bean size hail fell in Brighton. The large hail fell from severe thunderstorms to the northeast of metro Denver.

In 2003…tornadoes touched down briefly near Brighton… Watkins…and Strasburg…but did no reported damage. Hail to 3/4 inch in diameter was measured near Hudson.

8-9

In 1957…intense heavy rain caused flash flooding on toll gate creek in Aurora where 3 people were killed in a car. Up to 4 inches of rain fell in 5 hours in the Toll Gate Creek basin. The rain also caused flash flooding on sand creek in Aurora and Denver. Rainfall totaled 3.29 inches at Stapleton Airport with most of the rain…2.34 inches… Occurring on the 9th.

8-10

In 1979…4.3 inches of snow fell at Stapleton International Airport where northwest winds gusted to 30 mph on the 8th. Most of the snowfall…2.3 inches…occurred on the 9th. High temperature of only 35 degrees on the 9th equaled the record low maximum for the date.

9

In 1875…a heavy windstorm swept across the city for most of the day. West-northwest winds averaged a sustained speed of 31 mph between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm. The peak wind was sustained to 45 mph at 9:50 am.

In 1918…post-frontal winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts as high as 43 mph. Only a trace of rain fell.

In 1941…a tornado was noted at 2:20 pm to the northeast of downtown and was followed by another similar shaped cloud or dust roll estimated 3 miles behind. Thick dust followed with heavy gusts of wind. The temperature fell 15 degrees in 10 minutes following the twister. The mild tornado did little damage except to unprotected frame structures. Winds were sustained to 50 mph with the passing of the tornado at Stapleton Airport. It was visible to observers for 10 minutes and was lost from sight as it traveled east into huge rolls of dust. Hail and rain followed with a few hailstones as large as 1/2 inch in diameter downtown. No damage was reported from the hail. Thunderstorm winds sustained to 31 mph produced blowing dust downtown. Precipitation was only 0.07 inch.

In 1983…streams swollen by recent rain and snowmelt caused an earthen dam to collapse…washing out portions of State Highway 67 near Deckers in southern Douglas County.

In 1992…three boys…ages 11…12…and 16…were struck by lightning while taking cover under a large tree during a thunderstorm in Jefferson County…just 7 miles northwest of Denver. The three were seriously injured.

9-10

In 1889…heavy rainfall totaled 2.15 inches in downtown Denver. The cold rain was mixed with snow at times overnight. Temperatures on the 10th ranged from a high of 38 degrees to a low of 32 degrees with north winds sustained to 22 mph.

In 2003…a late spring snowstorm hammered the mountains… Eastern foothills…and urban corridor. The heaviest snowfall occurred north of interstate 70. The heavy wet snow caused damage to trees throughout metro Denver and downed power lines. About 40 thousand people along the urban corridor were without power. Storm total snowfall amounts included: 11.5 inches in Louisville… 8 inches in Boulder and Broomfield; 7 inches in Thornton…Broomfield…at Denver International Airport… And at the site of the former Stapleton International Airport; and 6 inches 4 miles east of Denver. Snowfall ranged from 4 to 9 inches across extreme southern weld County. In the foothills…15 inches of snow fell near Jamestown…9 inches at Rollinsville and Rawah…with 8 inches at Chief Hosa and atop Lookout Mountain. The snow was accompanied by thunder on the afternoon of the 9th at Denver International Airport where west winds gusted to 25 mph on the 9th and north winds gusted to 22 mph on the 10th.

10

In 1875…a windstorm sand-blasted the city from 10:00 am until midnight. Northwest winds sustained to 60 mph brought clouds of sand…which caused high damage to unfinished buildings.

In 1912…a vigorous cold front produced strong north winds and rain. North winds were sustained to 48 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph. Rainfall totaled 1.10 inch.

In 1935…no precipitation occurred…making this one of only two days without precipitation during the entire month. The other day was the 21st. Precipitation totaled 4.95 inches for the month.

In 1956…northwest winds gusted to 53 mph at Stapleton Airport where the visibility was briefly reduced to 1/2 mile in blowing dust.

In 1974…strong winds caused 30 thousand dollars in damage to a building under construction in Lakewood. Microburst winds gusted to 46 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1988…lightning struck a house in Boulder…setting it afire. The house…valued at 170 thousand dollars…was a total loss.

In 1989…golf ball size hail fell over southeast Denver near the junction of I-25 and I-225. Hail to 3/4 inch in diameter fell over southeast Aurora. Only 3/8 inch hail fell at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1991…high winds up to 63 mph raked the eastern foothills. Winds estimated to 50 mph tore a roof from a home in Lafayette. A tower at Jefferson County stadium in west metro Denver was blown over by the high winds. No injuries were reported. Southeast winds gusting to 48 mph at Stapleton International Airport produced some blowing dust. The temperature climbed to a high of 86 degrees… Equaling the record maximum for the date.

In 2005…severe thunderstorms produced hail as large as 2 inches in diameter in and near Longmont.
10-11 in 1918…post-frontal snowfall totaled 4.7 inches in downtown Denver. Northwest winds gusted to 19 mph on the 10th.

In 1923…winds were strong and gusty on both days. Northwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 44 mph on the 10th. North winds were sustained to 39 mph with gusts to 46 mph behind an apparent cold front on the 11th.

10-12

In 2011…a spring snowstorm brought heavy snow to the Front Range Foothills and Palmer Divide. Storm totals included: 18 inches…4 miles south-southeast of Pinecliffe; 16 inches in Coal Creek Canyon; 15 inches…4 miles west-southwest of Eldorado Springs; 13 inches at Gold Hill…12 inches…4 miles west-southwest of Conifer and 4 miles northwest of Elizabeth; 11.5 inches…6 miles southwest of Evergreen and 4 miles east-northeast of Nederland; 11 inches…3 miles east of Jamestown and 10.5 inches…3 miles east of Franktown and 3 miles south of Golden and 10 inches…10 miles north of Elizabeth. At Denver International Airport…1 inch of snowfall was observed.

11

In 1879…an apparent cold front during the afternoon produced sustained north winds as high as 60 mph and great clouds of blowing dust. The dust filled the air until the thunderstorm rain began…which produced 1.46 inches of rainfall. The rain ended during the evening.

In 1900…southwest winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 46 mph.

In 1958…a microburst caused a brief wind gust to 55 mph at Stapleton Airport.

In 1963…south-southwest winds gusted to 48 mph at Stapleton Airport. Winds May have been stronger over west Denver where some buildings were damaged.

In 1998…large hail fell over south metro Denver. Hail as large as 1 1/4 inches in diameter was measured in Parker with 1 inch hail recorded in Littleton and 4 miles south of Lakewood in Jefferson County. Hail to 3/4 inch diameter was measured in Douglas County…11 miles west- northwest of Parker.

11-12

In 2014…A strong storm system moved from southwest Colorado and produced heavy snow in and near the Front Range Foothills and metro Denver.  The snow was heaviest in the foothills where up to 2 1/2 feet of snow was observed. In the foothills…storm totals included: 30 inches near Pinecliffe; 29 inches…8 miles northeast of Four Corners; 28 inches near Pingree Park; 27 inches near Allenspark; 20.5 inches near Idaho Springs; 19.5 inches at Gold Hill; 19 inches near Genesee; 18 inches near Blackhawk; 17 inches at Aspen Springs; 16.5 inches near Ward; 13.5 inches at Bergen Park; with 11 inches at Evergreen.  Along Urban Corridor and Palmer Divide…stormtotals included: 10.5 inches at Eldorado Springs; 10 inches at Ken Caryl; 9 inches at Superior; 8 inches near Morrison; 7.5 inches in Broomfield and Highlands Ranch; 7 inches in Denver…near Franktown…Golden…Lakewood and Highlands Ranch; 6 inches…5 miles northeast of Westminster…7 miles south of Lyons and near Parker; with 5.5 inches at Aurora. At Denver International Airport…1.1 inches of snowfall was observed…along with 0.9 inches of water.

12

In 1875…two forest fires on the eastern slope of the foothills were visible from the city.

In 1904…north winds were sustained to 40 mph with gusts to 48 mph.

In 1950…brilliant and complete primary and secondary rainbows arching across the sky were observed from Stapleton Airport.

In 1951…a wind gust to 51 mph was recorded at Stapleton Airport.

In 1984…winds gusted to 69 mph in Boulder. Northwest winds gusted to 47 mph at Stapleton International Airport.

In 1987…a small weak tornado touched down for about 2 minutes in southeast Denver. The twister hit a car dealership…blowing about a dozen windows out of cars and shattering four skylights on the building. Some tin roofing was blown off a patio a block and a half away. The tornado also downed a power pole. Damage at the dealership was estimated at 10 thousand dollars. A man was slightly injured by lightning in northwest Aurora.

In 1995…several funnel clouds were sighted near Parker. One of the funnels produced a short-lived debris cloud on the ground in an open field. No damage was reported.

12-13

In 1907…the temperature warmed to a high of 73 degrees on the 12th…before a cold front produced a thunderstorm… Northeast winds sustained to 40 mph…and rain changing to light snow overnight. Snowfall totaled only 2 inches…but the high temperature on the 13th was only 39 degrees.

In 1961…a storm that covered metro Denver with rain and snow started as thunderstorms on the evening of the 12th. Hail to 1 1/2 inches in diameter was reported 10 miles northwest of Stapleton Airport. Rain continued overnight and changed to snow on the 13th. Snowfall totaled 6.4 inches and precipitation (rain and melted snow) 1.96 inches at Stapleton Airport where north winds gusted to 39 mph. The rain and heavy wet snow caused icing damage to utility lines. Heavy snow occurred in the foothills.

In 1982…a major storm dumped 1.50 to 3.50 inches of rain across northeast Colorado and deposited prodigious amounts of snow in the foothills. Coal Creek Canyon southwest of Boulder was buried under 46 inches of snow with 39 inches at Nederland. The heavy wet snow downed many power lines in the foothills. In Thornton…the roof of a school was damaged by water from the heavy rain. At Stapleton International Airport…1.49 inches of rain were measured over the two day period. The heavy rain ended a severe and prolonged drought.

In 2004…a winter storm produced heavy snow in excess of a foot in the foothills above 6 thousand feet while heavy rain fell across the city. The heaviest snow occurred in the high country of Boulder County. Storm total snowfall was 14.5 inches near Jamestown. Rainfall totaled 0.81 inch at Denver International Airport with 0.94 inch recorded at Denver Stapleton. A trace of snow was recorded at both locations. East winds gusted to 24 mph at Denver International Airport on the 12th.

13

In 1905…a thunderstorm produced hail during the late afternoon. Precipitation totaled 0.57 inch.

13-14

In 1912…heavy snowfall totaled 12.4 inches over the city. Most of the snow…9.9 inches…fell on the 13th…which was the greatest 24 hour snowfall in May at the time. This was the last snowfall of the season. The low temperature dipped to 27 degrees on the morning of the 14th.

In 1989…a spring storm brought heavy rain and snow to the foothills. Metro Denver was soaked with 1 to 2 inches of rain. Rainfall totaled 1.26 inches at Stapleton International Airport. In the foothills…Echo Lake received 20 inches of snow. A 30-ton Boulder slid onto I-70 east of the Eisenhower Tunnel…closing the freeway for 2 hours.

Are you ready to get outside and get some of those spring chores done? Maybe go for a hike instead? Either way, this will be a great weekend to get all of that done.

Friday looks to be the day with the most sun but it also will be the least warm. Sunny skies will be above for the most part today with maybe a few high clouds late. Winds will be calm, conditions dry. Temperatures will be topping out close to the 80 degree mark. Tonight skies remain mostly clear and we will see lows near 50 degrees.

Saturday looks to be the warmest day of the three day period. Highs will be around 86 degrees under mostly sunny skies. We will remain dry and calm. Overnight Saturday into Sunday morning lows once again dip to near 50 degrees.

Sunday continues the warm weather but does see a little bit of unsettling. More clouds will mean partly sunny skies and the afternoon and evening bring a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will still be mild with highs in the low to mid-80s.

Have a great weekend!