Flood warnings have been posted in some areas of the Western Slope and southeastern Colorado is under a fire watch as warm, mostly dry weather continues to grip the state.
Isolated thunderstorms are expected this afternoon along the foothills and some will rumble east onto the plains, according to the National Weather Service.
Denver will see a 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. as the high temperature tops out around 83 degrees, the weather service said.
Afternoon thunderstorms today could produce gusty winds and small hail with short periods of heavy rain, the weather service said.
Accelerated snow melt in the mountains means creeks and rivers will be on the rise in Colorado and flood warnings have been posted for the Elk River near Milner in Routt County, the Yampa River near Deerlodge Park in Moffat County and the East River near Almont in Gunnison County.
Additional waterways in Colorado could rise above their banks and flood low-lying areas in the upcoming days, the weather service warns. Outdoor enthusiasts and users of rivers and creeks should be cautious Tas waters will be running swift, cold and deep, the weather service said.
The weather service has issued a fire warning Wednesday for southeastern and south central Colorado, including parts of the foothills and mountains up to 9,000 feet. Areas under the fire watch Wednesday will include the San Luis Valley, the Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountains, Pikes Peak and Teller and Fremont counties. Dried out brush and timber and forecasted gusty winds will boost fire dangers in the red flag areas.
A few thunderstorms over the plains could be severe today and tomorrow. Thursday through Monday the state’s weather is expected to cool off a bit and chances for moisture should increase. Late-day storms, some possibly severe, should be part of the weather pattern into next week.
Tomorrow in Denver, skies will be mostly sunny and the high temperature should be about 87 degrees. On Thursday Denver’s high temperature should be about 77 degrees and there will be a 20 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
