Denver is waking up to a cold, soaking Monday — rain showers are already falling, thunderstorms are on the way, and the high will only reach near 46°F. If you’ve got outdoor plans today, push them to later in the week.
Today’s Setup
An upper-level trough crossing the region is combining with upslope flow along the Front Range to wring a lot of moisture out of the atmosphere. Rain showers will fall through the morning, with thunderstorms developing through the afternoon. The National Weather Service gives precipitation a 100% probability for the daytime hours, with rainfall totals of a half to three-quarters of an inch possible. North-northeast winds of 9 to 15 mph with gusts up to 28 mph will make 46°F feel significantly colder — especially as temperatures actually drop toward 42°F by late afternoon.
In the mountains, this is a serious snow event. The NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning north of I-70, where east-facing slopes could pick up 12 to 18 inches of accumulation. The foothills above 8,000 feet may see 4 to 8 inches. Down on the I-25 Corridor, expect rain only — a stray wet snowflake may mix in, but no accumulation is expected.
Best Window To Be Outside
Before noon, you’re dealing with rain showers. After noon, thunderstorms develop — wrap up any outdoor errands along the Cherry Creek Trail or around Washington Park by midday if possible.
What To Wear
A packable rain jacket is essential today, whether you’re commuting through LoDo or running errands in Capitol Hill. Toss a compact travel umbrella in your bag for backup, and pull on waterproof hiking boots if you’re walking any real distance. Tonight, watch for a possible spring freeze across the plains — lows could drop to around 35°F, possibly at or below freezing in spots. Cover any tender garden plants before dark.
Events and Games This Week
If you have tickets to Khalid’s “It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour” at Red Rocks Amphitheatre tonight — the irony of that tour name is not lost on us. Temperatures will be in the low 40s with rain; dress in warm, waterproof layers and expect a wet one.
The Colorado Rockies host the Texas Rangers at Coors Field on May 19 and May 20. Tuesday still carries a 50% rain chance with a high near 50°F, so layer up under your Colorado Rockies jersey and top it with a Colorado Rockies fitted cap. You can Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub if you’re still on the fence.
Avs fans, great news: the Colorado Avalanche host the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 3 Game 1 at Ball Arena on May 20 — it’s indoors, so the weather is entirely irrelevant. Just bring the noise.
Dinner Tonight
This is a textbook programmable slow cooker day — load it up with chili or beef stew before you head out and dinner takes care of itself. An enameled cast iron Dutch oven is equally perfect for a big pot of soup on the stovetop. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Tuesday stays cool with a high near 50°F and a 50% chance of afternoon showers, followed by another round of rain Tuesday night (75% chance). Wednesday remains unsettled as well. The good news: the National Weather Service is tracking a warming and drying trend arriving by Friday, with a nicer weekend on the horizon. Keep an eye on the Denver weather forecast for updates, and check outdoor gear deals to stock up for the better days ahead.
