The warming trends has been nice! We’ve seen highs in the mid 60s since Sunday with intermittent clouds and breezes conditions with virga showers descending above us.
As I mentioned in my last blog, we were gooing to be on warming trend with a few shower chances before clearer weather shows up for this weekend. That is still on track.
Decent Rain Chances
Thursday and Friday are notably going to be identified by cloudy and rainy conditions. We are under northwest flow which would normally caused downsloping (winds coming down from the tops of mountains) to occur but a little weak disturbance, essentially a ripple in the atmosphere, will travers over Colorado. With it being springtime and there being some more warmth in the atmosphere, we will see clouds and moisture form. This won’t be a huge rain maker but it will help to close the more than half-inch deficit we are running this month.
Timing
Thursday will begin rather sunny for the Front Range. Clouds will pop up by late morning. The morning hours of Thursday may also bring some very windy conditions to the mountains and higher Foothills. Up to 60 mph gusts will be possible. We shouldn’t see rain chances really increase until Thursday afternoon but by Thursday evening rain chances are notable. Some of the heaviest, or most steady rain we see looks to happen overnight into Friday morning. At that time, there may be *just* enough cold air to support a few snowflakes. I find this to be most like in places like Estes Park, Boulder and Golden but it’s possible some flakes make it into the Metro.
Friday with be a cloudy with on and off showers. It will also be the coolest day of the period with highs in the upper 50s.
Overall precipitation totals are, again, not looking substantial but they are notable due to the cloudiness and breeziness that will persist. By Saturday afternoon, we should be cleared out nicely and warming up.
The Warm Up
Ah, yes, the warm up. Are you ready for it?
Don’t forget that Friday will be rather cool feeling but then looks what’s coming. First, the science. A ridge of high pressure (high pressure comes with sunnier and drier conditions) will build and park itself over the southwest US. This will allow temperatures to warm and warm. Highs by Sunday should be in the mid 70s and highs by next work week will be approaching 80º. The warmest temperature we’ve seen this year was back in February when we had a 74º day. Upper 70s to low 80s will be possible multiple times next week. Enjoy.
Mountain Forecast
The mountains will be seeing mostly snow from this system above 8-9’000 feet. That’s where 4-8″ of snow could fall. With the angle of the sun and the duration of the snow, we’re not looking at many slippery roads due to melting.
Next week, under that ridge of high pressure, we should start to see our first notable spring melt occur. Rivers around the region are in great shape to hold extra water. Keep in mind rafting season may be impacted by COVID-19 but water levels and flow rates are going to become important here soon.
~ Rain or Shine
I’m Andy Stein
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