Marty’s Saturday Morning Forecast – PM Storms – 5/15/2021

Overview:  Scattered thunderstorms could be strong to severe this weekend, and more showers are likely early next week. The coverage of showers should gradually decrease by the end of the week.

Today:  Any patchy low clouds early this morning will give way to a partly cloudy sky for several hours into early afternoon. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop this afternoon with strong the severe thunderstorms possible over eastern Colorado. The strongest thunderstorms today could produce hail over an inch in diameter, thunderstorms wind gusts over 60 mph, and possibly isolated, brief tornadoes. Expect the first strong storms to develop around the Pikes Peak Region with additional strong storms possible a little later farther east. High temperatures should reach the 70s to near 80 for the plains before thunderstorms develop, but the mountains will likely remain in the 60s.

Tonight:  Showers and thunderstorms should wind down near the mountains early this evening but could continue for several hours over the far eastern plains before ending late. Patchy low clouds are possible over the plains at times. Low temperature should fall into the 40s and 50s.

Sunday:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms are again likely during the afternoon and evening hours. Once again, some could be strong. High temperatures should again reach the 60s and 70s for most areas, with a few spots on the plains perhaps reaching the lower 80s.

Extended:  Monday and Tuesday look cooler with more clouds than sun and periods of rain and thunder. The air could be cold enough for some mountain snow Monday night into early Tuesday, although it appears snow elevations will be pretty high. The threat for severe weather looks lower early next week, but we cannot rule out a strong storm or two somewhere each day. The coverage of showers should decrease noticeably over the plains on Wednesday and Thursday, but numerous afternoon and evening showers are still possible over the mountains. Friday should be mostly dry.