Colorado warms, spotty storms possible May 25

Colorado is headed into Memorial Day with warmer temperatures and only limited storm chances for most lower elevations, while the mountains face a better chance of afternoon thunderstorms on Monday, May 25. KOAA said in a May 24 forecast that the state would feel “like summer” through Sunday and Memorial Day, with spotty storms developing mainly over higher terrain. National Weather Service forecast discussions issued Sunday in Pueblo and Denver/Boulder also pointed to warmer conditions Monday, with isolated to scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. The main concern in mountain communities is not widespread severe weather, but brief lightning and pockets of heavier rain. ### Where are the best chances for storms on Memorial Day? Southern Colorado’s mountains and interior high terrain are the most likely places to see storms Monday. The National Weather Service office in Pueblo said May 24 that “interior mountain rain chances” would increase on Monday and increase further on Tuesday, while KOAA said spotty thunderstorms were most likely in the mountains on Memorial Day. (koaa.com) Northern Colorado also faces some storm chances, but the Denver/Boulder forecast office described them as isolated to scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms during the afternoon and early evening, with rainfall expected to stay light. That suggests a more hit-or-miss setup than a broad soaking rain event. ### Why are storms more likely over the mountains than the plains? (koaa.com) Monday’s setup favors terrain-driven development in the afternoon. KOAA said instability building during the day, combined with orographic lift over the mountains, would help trigger isolated storms in higher elevations. The National Weather Service forecasts align with that pattern. Pueblo forecasters highlighted increasing mountain rain chances, while Denver/Boulder forecasters said showers and thunderstorms were expected mainly in the afternoon and early evening, the time of day when daytime heating typically peaks. (forecast.weather.gov) ### What hazards are forecasters flagging? (koaa.com) KOAA said mountain communities could see locally heavy rain and brief lightning on Monday. The station did not describe a widespread severe weather outbreak, but those hazards can still affect hikers, campers and drivers on mountain roads over a holiday weekend. The Pueblo forecast discussion added another risk tied to mountain thunderstorms: lightning-started fires are possible in the mountains. (forecast.weather.gov) That language points to storms that may be scattered and uneven, with some cells producing lightning before or without much lasting rainfall. ### Does this look like an all-day washout? (koaa.com) For most of Colorado, the answer from Sunday’s forecasts was no. KOAA described the pattern as warm through the weekend with only spotty thunderstorms on Monday, and the Denver/Boulder office said rainfall would be light. Both forecasts point to the more typical late-day spring and early-summer pattern rather than a statewide, all-day rain event. (forecast.weather.gov) The Pueblo office also said thunderstorms on Sunday would be “few and far between,” with a 5- to 10-degree warm-up. That warmer trend continues into Monday before storm chances increase more noticeably by Tuesday. ### What should travelers and outdoor groups watch next? Sunday’s forecast package makes Monday afternoon and early evening the main period to watch, especially in the mountains. (koaa.com) Travelers heading toward higher terrain for Memorial Day should check updated local forecasts before departure and again later Monday as storm timing becomes clearer. Tuesday, May 26, is the next named change in the forecast. (forecast.weather.gov) The National Weather Service in Pueblo said storm chances increase further Tuesday, and the Denver/Boulder office said scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms are expected on most days next week. (koaa.com)