Denver’s Friday brings mostly sunny skies, a high near 90°F, and a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms — get outdoor plans done before 1 PM, then watch the sky as a much hotter weekend moves in behind it.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service Denver/Boulder office calls today “one last chance of precipitation across the Front Range and plains” before a strong ridge takes over. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected to develop between 1 PM and 3 PM, drifting from the foothills into the urban corridor and plains through the afternoon. Chance of precipitation tops out around 30%, though the NWS notes any meaningful, wetting rainfall is unlikely (under 20%) — expect more gusty wind than actual rain. Highs reach near 90°F before easing back to around 86°F once storms pass, with a low around 61°F tonight under partly cloudy skies.
Best Window To Be Outside
Morning through early afternoon is the clearest stretch, with light north-northeast wind at 2 to 8 mph and plenty of sun — good timing for a City Park loop or Cherry Creek Trail ride before any afternoon cells fire up. If you’re headed to Canvas Stadium tonight for PBR: Professional Bull Riders or to Red Rocks Amphitheatre for the Avett Brothers, the timing in the forecast discussion suggests showers should clear the Front Range by evening, leaving a mild night for both.
Heat Risk Building This Weekend
The bigger story: forecasters expect the ridge to strengthen and settle near Wyoming by Sunday, ushering in what the NWS calls a “prolonged period of very hot temperatures” lasting through most of next week. Saturday jumps to a sunny 96°F with almost no rain chance (1%) and light north-northwest wind. Have water, sunscreen, and shade sorted before midday tomorrow.
What To Wear Or Bring
Light, breathable clothing works today; by Saturday, plan for real heat gear. Tailgating before PBR at Canvas Stadium? A portable propane grill makes quick work of dinner between events. Still need Red Rocks seats for the Avett Brothers tonight? Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub, and pack a layer since Red Rocks cools fast after sunset. Looking ahead, a Daniel Caesar t-shirt is worth grabbing before his July 14 Ball Arena show, and a Lee Brice t-shirt fits his July 16 Fillmore Auditorium date. With the heat ramping up, a TIKI Brand 65-inch metal garden torch keeps the patio lit for evening entertaining once the sun drops behind the foothills.
Helpful Links
Track the day-by-day breakdown on our Denver weather forecast page, and browse more outdoor gear deals before the heat wave settles in.
Tonight’s Dinner
With storm-watching weather in the mix, keep it easy and shareable — pasta or a quick stir-fry keeps you out of a hot kitchen if a cell rolls through. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door, or stock up on Amazon Fresh groceries ahead of the weekend heat.
Next Few Days
Saturday: sunny, 96°F. Sunday into next week, the ridge holds strong with well-above-normal temperatures continuing across the region, especially in Middle and North Park, and no rain relief in sight per the NWS discussion. Build hydration and shade breaks into any outdoor plans through the workweek.
