Denver, Colo. – Anyone with outdoor plans along Colorado’s Front Range should keep an eye on the sky Friday afternoon as isolated thunderstorms could quickly develop over the mountains and spread toward nearby plains, bringing wind gusts up to 60 mph and pockets of hail.
According to the National Weather Service in Denver/Boulder, temperatures will run slightly cooler Friday with highs generally in the low 90s across the Denver metro and eastern plains. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon over the mountains and adjacent plains, with a few storms becoming strong enough to produce damaging outflow winds and hail.
Communities including Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley, Castle Rock, Golden, Longmont and Fort Morgan could see brief but intense storms during the late afternoon and evening. Strong wind gusts may blow around unsecured outdoor items, create hazardous conditions for high-profile vehicles and reduce visibility in areas of blowing dust. Hail is also possible with the strongest cells.
The National Weather Service also notes that smoke from wildfires in the Pacific Northwest may drift across the eastern plains during the afternoon, potentially affecting air quality and visibility in some locations.
Residents heading into the mountains should be prepared to move indoors quickly if thunderstorms develop, while those on the plains should secure loose objects before storms arrive. Conditions improve after sunset, and a warming trend returns this weekend as temperatures climb back into the 90s with fewer storm chances.
Warnings or advisories may be issued if stronger storms develop later Friday.
