DENVER, Colo. – The Mile High City wakes to calm skies and crisp air this morning, but a quick pattern shift will stir the Front Range through the weekend. Winds will increase sharply by this afternoon, ushering in elevated fire danger and signaling a new push of colder, mountain-charged air on the way.
According to the National Weather Service in Boulder, gusts from the west and northwest will climb near 35 mph across foothill communities by midday Thursday, especially along U.S. 36 toward Lyons and I-70 west of Golden. The gustiest peaks near the Wyoming border could top 45 mph. Fire managers caution that humidity levels will drop rapidly through the afternoon, making even small sparks risky. Residents planning leaf burning or outdoor work should postpone until calmer conditions return late Friday.
Temperatures stay mild through the transition—upper 60s to near 70°F through Friday—but colder air will begin spilling into the region by Saturday. The weekend’s main front drops highs back into the 50s, with lows dipping into the 20s by Sunday night. Higher elevations west of I-25 could see light snow showers, a reminder that winter’s edge is closing in fast on Colorado’s high country.
Denver’s early next week looks seasonably cool and dry, but the pattern will favor stronger cold pushes mid-November. Long-range models hint that the first measurable snow for the metro area could arrive before Thanksgiving. For now, residents can expect a windy start, a brisk finish, and a clear sign that the calm days of early fall are fading.
Five-Day Forecast for Denver, CO:
Thu: 69/35 – Mostly sunny; breezy west winds to 35 mph.
Fri: 64/37 – Mild and dry; calmer afternoon.
Sat: 58/27 – Sunny; cooler, crisp feel returns.
Sun: 52/27 – Mostly sunny; cold air deepens.
Mon: 69/40 – Clear, breezy; late fall warmth brief.
