Tonight, we’re still dealing with the tail end of some unusually hot and dry conditions for March. Temperatures this afternoon surged well into the 80s across the plains, with a few spots making it into the 90s. We set another record high for the month of March this afternoon at DIA- 86 degrees which shattered the previous record high of 78 degrees for the day. 85 was the new all time record for March which we set for the last two afternoons- now it is 86 degrees.
Along with the heat, winds are picking up through the evening, especially along the I-25 corridor and foothills. That combination of warmth, wind, and very dry air is creating critical fire weather conditions that will last into the evening hours.
Overnight, a cold front will slide south across the area, and that’s going to bring a noticeable change by Sunday morning. Temperatures will cool down quite a bit compared to today, and we’ll also see a bit more moisture in the air. It won’t be a dramatic storm system, but the shift will be enough to break the heat and reduce the fire danger somewhat.
Sunday will feel much more typical for this time of year. Highs should land in the 60s across the Denver metro area, with lighter winds and a bit more cloud cover around. There’s even a small chance for a few light rain showers along the Front Range, though most places will stay dry and any precipitation looks minimal.
That cooldown doesn’t last long. By Monday, temperatures start climbing again into the 70s, and then by Tuesday and Wednesday we’re right back into unseasonably warm territory. In fact, we’ll see record-breaking heat across the Denver area, with highs pushing into the low to mid 80s. Along with that warmth, fire weather concerns are expected to return as the air dries out and winds increase again.
Looking a bit farther ahead, things get more uncertain by Thursday as another weather system and cold front approach. We’ll likely see some kind of cooldown, but it’s not clear how strong it will be, and moisture still looks limited. Even beyond that, the bigger picture suggests temperatures may stay above normal overall heading into next weekend, so this early taste of summer isn’t going away anytime soon.
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