Storm System Approaches Colorado
Dry weather holds through Thursday before a trough brings moisture, cooler air, and mountain snow by Sunday.
By Harper Foster ·
A new weather pattern is moving into Southern Colorado, bringing a shift from mild, dry conditions to increased moisture and cooler temperatures. The change begins over the weekend and continues into the following week.
Current conditions remain quiet across the region. A dry westerly flow dominates tonight. Forecasters see a low to medium chance of locally dense fog forming on the eastern plains late tonight into early Thursday morning. Isolated showers or a stray storm may appear near the far southeast border by Thursday afternoon.
Temperatures will vary by location tonight. High mountain valleys will see lows in the 20s. Plains areas will drop to the 30s or lower 40s. Colorado Springs will start at 38 degrees and reach 64 degrees. Pueblo will fall to 39 degrees and climb to 65 degrees. Canon City will bottom out at 40 degrees and peak at 68 degrees. Woodland Park will see a low of 37 degrees and a high of 58 degrees.
Thursday will stay mild and pleasant in the Pikes Peak region. Afternoon highs will top out in the mid-60s. Skies will be partly sunny with passing mid-to-high level clouds. Light winds are expected. Pueblo will experience another warm afternoon with highs in the upper 60s. Skies there will remain mostly clear to partly cloudy. Dry conditions will hold through the end of the workweek.
The pattern changes significantly by Friday. A deepening Pacific trough will send a surge of moisture toward western Colorado. A weak shortwave passing to the south will bring a chance for showers over the far southeast plains and light mountain showers. On Saturday, increasing southwest flow aloft will draw moist Pacific air across the region. High elevation mountain showers will build through the day. Lower elevations will remain mostly mild.
A more impactful storm system takes over from Sunday through Tuesday. An upper-level trough will amplify into the Four Corners. Heavy mountain snow and rainfall will return to the Continental Divide and San Luis Valley. Flooding potential exists in these areas. Snow increases on Monday. A chance for a wintry mix or rain/snow showers will expand into the mountain valleys and adjacent plains as temperatures drop. Windy conditions will accompany the backside of the system. Flooding risk looks low with this system.
