An upper-level weather system will be rumbling its way through Colorado over the next two days, and it’s our main weather driver.

This morning, moisture from that system will bring clouds to the mountains. Today’s weather story is wind, with showers in the mountains. Temperatures will warm quickly on the front range with southerly warm winds in place as we climb from the 40s this morning to the 70s by the lunch hour in the Pikes Peak Region.

Winds increase through the morning. By afternoon, I expect 30-35 mph gusts in the Pikes Peak Region with the dry downslope wind drying out and warming up our air. That’ll nose our highs into the upper 70s this afternoon as we swing back above average temperature-wise — today’s normal high at the airport would be 74 degrees.

A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for our southern mountains today from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. And, for Cheyenne county on the eastern plains from noon to 6 p.m. today. An important point here: meteorologically, today will feature widespread fire danger. Thanks to our spring green up, our fuels are a bit too wet for Red Flag Warnings elsewhere.

As a cold front moves south during the mid to late afternoon, a weak shower is possible. The best chances are toward Woodland Park, and over the Palmer Divide. A few sprinkles are possible elsewhere as we move toward evening. Generally speaking, any showers that develop in the mountains before the cold front moves south, will struggle to reach the ground as they move off the high terrain resulting in virga (rain that doesn’t reach the ground). After the front begins moving through the area, a shower could reach the ground but it’ll be low impact.

Looking ahead

Nice weather awaits us from Sunday through Tuesday as a broad ridge of high pressure moves over the state. Highs fall back on Sunday to the mid-70s following the cold front, and it’ll be breezy again but less than today, 20-30 mph gusts at times, before we return to the upper 70s for Memorial Day.

Mostly sunny skies will be on tap both days. Tuesday will warm us to the low 80s with a chance for a late day shower or storm, which could Better chances will be on the eastern plains, as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico moves north. Wednesday and Thursday will both have a chance for an afternoon shower or thunderstorm as well, particularly on Wednesday when we should have better instability in place. Highs will be in the 80s moving through mid-week.