Colorado Weather: Gusty winds raise fire danger, prompt Red Flag Warning for Denver

Thursday is a First Alert Weather Day in the Denver and Boulder areas due to gusty northwest winds driving up fire danger. The wind will relax in the evening.

The strongest wind is expected between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday when gusts should reach at least 40 mph in the Denver metro area. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the high fire danger during this same period.

The Red Flag Warning also stretches south along the I-25 corridor into Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Walsenburg, and into Trinidad. 

Although, the wind will get gusty and the fire danger is elevated, the Red Flag Warning on Thursday is not as significant as it has been on other days when fire danger has encroached into the urban corridor. For example, on the day of the Marshall Fire in Boulder County in December 2021, wind gusts were over 100 mph in some areas.

Regardless, the danger is real and if a fire were to start on Thursday, it could spread quickly. Temperatures will be at least 15-20 degrees warmer compared to Tuesday and Wednesday. The Denver metro area will reach at least the lower 50s.

The weather story for Friday and Saturday in Colorado will focus on the mountains where one of the biggest winter storms in several weeks will hit the high country. A Winter Storm Watch has already been issued for at least 8-16 inches of snow in Summit County and even more for many mountain areas west and southwest of Vail Pass.

No snow is expected along the urban corridor but a few rain showers will be possible late Saturday.