Elevated fire danger today – 05/17/18

Today: We’re tracking a wind alert level one today! That means we could get some gusts into the 30s. However, keep in mind – it won’t be breezy everywhere throughout the whole day. Our low relative humidity levels, dry fuels and gusty conditions will be elevating fire danger. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of Las Animas and El Paso Counties. Avoid any outdoor burning or grilling in these areas! Highs will be warm, reaching the 80s and 90s in the lower elevations. In the far eastern plains, a few strong-to-severe storms are possible where we could see large hail and gusts to 60 mph.

Tonight: Any storms out east wind down overnight. Lows are set to tumble to the 40s and 50s under mostly clear skies. Winds start to die down relatively as well.

Extended: Temperatures drop a bit Friday thanks to an incoming cold front in the evening. The area of low pressure (our next storm system) will be dropping through the state in the afternoon and evening tomorrow. This could create gusty conditions once again with some fire danger for some of the southeastern plains. Along the Palmer Divide and northern Colorado Springs, there could be strong-to-severe storms with quarter-sized hail and damaging gusts. Heavy rain is possible as well! Be prepared for active weather tomorrow afternoon. Afternoon storms are possible Saturday and Sunday as well. Temperatures drop noticeably this weekend. A few chances of storms are possible next week as well.