Big changes ahead this week

Expect mostly quiet conditions heading into the evening, with mostly clear skies. Winds will remain breezy at times from the southwest, creating a downsloping effect and helping keep temperatures warm. Winds will begin to lighten up tonight, and with skies remaining mostly clear, overnight lows will drop into the upper 40s and low 50s for most.

Tuesday will bring better chances for rain and snow to the mountains, while the I-25 corridor and eastern Plains remain mostly dry. Temperatures will cool off slightly, although they will remain above average, with afternoon highs in the 70s. Highs on the eastern Plains will reach the mid-80s before a cold front moves in later Tuesday night.

With the arrival of a cold front and a strong upper-level system moving in, Wednesday will feel dramatically different from what we've been experiencing lately. Snow elevations will drop in the mountains, with several inches of snow possible over the higher passes. Further east, widespread cloud cover will limit daytime highs to the low 50s. Heavy rain showers and possibly a stronger thunderstorm will be possible through Wednesday, with some snow mixing in across some communities. A few wrap-around showers, strong winds, and clearing skies will round out Thursday. The end of the week will feature more sunshine but remain cooler. Freeze and frost alerts will be possible before a warm-up for the weekend.