Southern Colorado Braces for 15 Degree Drop and Heavy Rain

Severe weather warnings are currently active across the San Juan Mountains and southwestern Colorado, where heavy rainfall continues to create flood and mudslide risks. Flood watches, severe thunderstorm watches, and specific flood warnings remain in effect for that portion of the state.

Temperatures in the Pikes Peak Region, Pueblo County, and the eastern plains will settle into the 40s and 50s overnight on Thursday. Scattered showers were forecast for these areas on Thursday evening. By Friday, conditions will vary by location, with Pueblo expected to reach a high of 81 and a low of 55. Colorado Springs is forecast to warm to 73 from a low of 51, while Canon City will peak at 75 after a low of 54.

Woodland Park will remain warmer than seasonal averages on Friday, with a high of 56 and a low of 43. The eastern plains are expected to see highs of 83 and lows of 60. Mountain areas will record a low of 41 and a high of 59. Showers are likely to occur on and off through the day in these zones, with a brief pause in moisture expected in Canon City by Friday afternoon.

The weather pattern will shift dramatically as a cold front moves through ahead of the weekend. Winds are expected to increase Friday and continue strengthening through the weekend. Gusts of 40 to 45 mph are forecast across the area. The front is expected to cross Colorado early Saturday, dropping temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees below average.

Tropical moisture will shift eastward, delivering additional precipitation to southern Colorado. Total rain accumulations for the region could range from 0.10 inches to 0.75 inches. In the mountains, snow levels will likely drop once the cold front passes. The weekend will bring cooler temperatures, potentially bringing cold rain and snow to higher elevations.

Forecasters indicate that the weather will dry out by next week. Temperatures are expected to return to more seasonal levels following the passage of the front and the associated rainfall.