Colorado Springs may get a break from extreme dry conditions today, with the National Weather Service predicting a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms this afternoon.

A high of 76 degrees today will likely lead to early evening storms before midnight, Weather Service spokesman James Hall said. Storms could be severe and accompanied by large hail and strong winds.

But the relief from the arid spring is temporary.

“It could break today,” Hall said, “but then once this storm system goes by and the upper storm moves off to the east, we’re back to very dry conditions and strong winds, which will dry us back us back out again tomorrow.”