Denver hits a sunny, breezy 90°F today, but the National Weather Service says a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms — some capable of large hail and strong wind gusts — moves in after noon, so get outdoor errands, dog walks, or patio time done before early afternoon and keep an eye on the sky after that.
Today’s Setup
Forecasters at the NWS Denver/Boulder office say elevated moisture (dewpoints climbing into the upper 40s to low 60s) combined with steep lapse rates and 0-6 km shear around 30 to 45 knots will fuel scattered to numerous storms this afternoon and evening. The severe threat is expanding west into the Front Range today, with large hail and strong winds the main hazards — and forecasters flagged a chance of a landspout if a cell develops near the Denver Convergence Vorticity Zone. Storms should first fire over the foothills and higher terrain in early afternoon before tracking east across the metro and plains.
Best Window To Be Outside
Morning through roughly 1 PM looks like the calm stretch under mostly sunny skies with light north-northwest wind around 3 to 10 mph. High near 90°F, with temperatures actually falling to around 85°F by afternoon as storms move in. Tonight cools to a low around 61°F, with just a slight chance of a stray storm before 10 PM.
Storm And Flood Risk
Beyond hail and wind, the AFD notes localized heavy rainfall and flash flood potential across the eastern plains today, and the WPC’s excessive rainfall outlook covers the central High Plains region into today’s period. If you’re east of the metro this afternoon, watch for ponding on roads and avoid low-lying areas during any downpour.
What To Wear Or Bring
Stay ahead of the heat early with an insulated water bottle, and toss rain pants waterproof gear in the car if you’ll be outside past midday. Storms this active can also mean brief power flickers — the DARAN 288Wh Power Station, on sale for Prime members this week, is a smart backup to have on hand.
Tonight & Weekend Events
Sam Barber plays Red Rocks Amphitheatre tonight — with storms tracking through the foothills and metro this afternoon, grab tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub and plan for a possible early-evening delay. The Avett Brothers follow at Red Rocks Friday, when storm chances drop to near 20%. Looking ahead, Daniel Caesar brings the Son Of Spergy Tour to Ball Arena July 14 — Find tickets on StubHub now and grab a Daniel Caesar t-shirt or Daniel Caesar hoodie to be ready.
Meal Idea
With highs near 90°F, skip the stove tonight for a cold Thai noodle salad or a smoothie bowl bar — a high-powered blender and an insulated tumbler 30oz make it easy to keep drinks cold outside. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Friday looks similar — sunny with a high near 90°F and just a 20% storm chance, with weaker severe potential especially in the northern metro. After that, the NWS says a prolonged stretch of hot, mostly dry weather builds in Saturday and lasts through at least Tuesday, with thunderstorm chances staying low.
