Denver is serving up one of its best May days on Tuesday — sunny skies, a high near 82°F, and barely a cloud in sight over the Front Range. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to get to Washington Park or the Cherry Creek Trail, today is it.
Today’s Setup
A cold front passed through overnight, clearing the air and leaving a light northeast wind of 5 to 9 mph. The National Weather Service is forecasting near-zero rain chances (just 2%) and full sunshine through the afternoon. Temperatures climb from the mid-60s in the morning to near 82°F by early afternoon, then ease slightly toward evening.
One catch for allergy sufferers: warm, dry, sunny days at 5,280 feet are prime pollen days. Keep an allergy relief nasal spray in your bag before heading out, and run a HEPA air purifier at home if you’re keeping windows open to catch the breeze.
Best Window to Be Outside
The whole day is your window. Morning walks, afternoon golf, a backyard cookout in Highlands or Stapleton — all of it works. The Colorado sun is intense even at 82°F, so bring an insulated water jug 1 gallon if you’re spending hours outside. Check out our guide on how to smoke tri-tip like brisket if you want to fire up the smoker this week while the warm weather holds.
Rain, Wind, or Heat Risk
No severe weather threat in metro Denver today. The foothills and Front Range mountains could see isolated afternoon showers above 6,000 feet, so keep that in mind if you’re heading up I-70 this afternoon.
Wednesday is the bigger watch: the National Weather Service forecasts a high near 91°F — which could tie the daily temperature record at Denver International Airport set all the way back in 1915. There’s a 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms between 2 and 3 PM MT Wednesday, with gusts up to 21 mph. Plan any outdoor Wednesday activities for the morning to beat both the heat and the storms.
Avs Game 3 at Ball Arena
Hockey fans, circle Wednesday, May 13: the Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild in NHL Second Round Game 3 at Ball Arena. It’s an indoor game so the storm risk won’t stop the puck, but Avs Alley outside will be scorching — near 91°F in the afternoon before cooling to the upper 50s by late evening. Rock your Colorado Avalanche jersey to the rink, and toss a Colorado Avalanche beanie in your bag for the post-game walk — Denver nights drop fast. Need seats? Get tickets on SeatGeek before they’re gone. Game 4 is also set for Ball Arena on May 14.
Also on the Denver calendar: MJ (Touring) lands at Buell Theatre on Wednesday, May 13, and Baby Keem’s Ca$ino Tour hits Fillmore Auditorium on May 17 — both indoor venues, so weather is a non-issue.
Dinner Tonight
Tonight’s mild lows near 54°F are perfect for patio dining. Keep it light — a quick pasta or stir-fry is ideal on a warm spring evening. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Wednesday brings near 91°F heat with a slight PM storm chance and a possible daily record at DEN. Thursday stays warm in the upper 80s, and the National Weather Service flags elevated fire weather conditions for some mountain valleys Thursday — stay alert if you’re in those areas. The back half of the week trends gradually cooler. Keep tabs on your Denver weather forecast for the latest, and browse outdoor gear deals if you’re planning a weekend trip into the high country.
