COLORADO, USA — A windy weekend is forecast for the state of Colorado as two storm systems cross just to the north of the state Friday through Monday. Both systems will be just too far north to bring a high precipitation impact, but the jet stream winds directly overhead will frequently translate to the ground level.
Friday
The first storm system has already created breezy conditions on Friday with 20-30 mph gusts measured across the Front Range. The forecast is for that level of winds to continue until after sunset with some stronger wind gusts possible as a cold front moves through in the afternoon.
That cold front should move through the Front Range between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Expect a few stronger gusts during that time, it could even spark a couple of thunderstorms which create their own wind gusts.
The bulk of the thunderstorm activity associated with that cold front will be on the eastern plains where a level 1 (Marginal) and a level 2 (Slight) severe thunderstorm risk is in place through Friday night.
There is a fire weather warning in the San Luis Valley for 20-30 mph sustained winds with gusts near 40 mph.
Saturday
Winds are forecast to stay persistent across most of the Front Range and eastern plains on Saturday although below the 60 mph threshold for a high wind warning. Winds in the Denver area are forecast to be in the 10-20 mph range with a few gusts near 35 mph at times.
No fire weather warnings are in place for Saturday yet, but there could be a few added for southern Colorado.
Sunday and Monday
As the next storm system approaches the state from the west on Sunday, winds are expected to gradually build again into the afternoon hours. Wind on the Front Range could reach the 50 mph range on both days with frequent or persistent sustained winds in the 20-30 mph range.
The south winds on the eastern plains may even be a little stronger. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center is anticipating elevated fire weather conditions on both days, mainly for southeast Colorado but that threat could expand to the north as that system gets closer and the details are clearer.
A high wind warning is not anticipated however the frequency of the lighter wind gusts could make Sunday and Monday high impact days.
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