Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Denver, CO

DISCUSSION /Through Saturday/
Issued at 134 PM MDT Sat May 9 2026

Latest satellite imagery shows the shortwave of interest for today moving through Montana and Wyoming with cumulus clouds developing across eastern WY. Today will be a bit warmer than yesterday with highs generally in the mid 70s across the plains. A few showers and thunderstorms are expected for this afternoon, especially for the northeast plains, starting around 3pm. These showers/thunderstorms will be associated with the aforementioned mid-level shortwave embedded in the northwest flow aloft as it moves across NE CO. DCAPE values are expected to be between 1000 and 1300 J/kg this afternoon, meaning any stronger storms could produce gusty outflow winds. A low risk for small hail also exists for the northeast plains given strong shear and modest instability in place as noted in model soundings. These areas are in a marginal (1/5) risk for severe storms.

The precipitation chances will transition southward throughout the evening as a cold front moves through the forecast area, but storms should decrease in coverage and intensity with the loss of daytime heating as they approach the Denver metro. The highest chances for showers in the Denver metro - between 30 and 40 percent - will be between 10pm and 2am tonight. Wind gusts could briefly reach 35 to 45 mph as the cold front passes through. Despite tonight's cold front, warm air advection should allow high temperatures on Sunday across the plains to return to the upper 60s and low 70s.

A strong ridge of high pressure is still on track to setup near or over our forecast area for most of next week leading to well above- average temperatures through the rest of the forecast period. Highs for the work week will be in the mid to upper 80s for the plains with the northeast plains even having the possibility of reaching the low 90s during the middle of week. The hottest temperatures of the week are expected on Wednesday when the ridge is at its strongest. As noted in the previous discussion, the record high for Denver is 90 degrees F and we have an outside chance of tying or breaking that record. Precipitation chances could increase again by the end of the week, but there is disagreement among the global models on the evolution of a potential shortwave pivoting into Colorado. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions are possible through the week given the dry conditions, but there is quite a bit of uncertainty with how much wind there will be on any given afternoon.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday/
Issued at 528 PM MDT Sat May 9 2026

Cold front will move across between 0030z and 01z with gusty north to northeast winds behind it. Wind gusts up to 40 mph will occur with its passage for a few hours. Winds will decrease by 03z and have a N/NNE direction. Will see stratus develop after 03z with ceilings down to 1200 ft. There will be a chance of rain showers between 04z and 08z with ceilings down to 500 feet accompanying the rain. Should see 1200 ft ceilings scatter out by 13z Sun.
Winds by 08z will be north and then go light and variable by 13z.
Winds by 18Z will be light from the NNE.

BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
None.