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In Brief:
Our hottest days of the next 10 day period are upon us (Thursday/Friday). Places on the Plains will reach 100F while we hover in the mid to upper 90'sF. Some moisture returns (monsoonal flow) and temperatures cool to reflect it...afternoon thunderstorms return for the rest of the 10 day forecast window.
Forecast Discussion:
For Wednesday, a weak cool front has pressed into northeast Colorado (Wednesday is posting day - Figure 1). This cooled us into the 80'sF Wednesday. That pushes off Thursday and an upper level ridge (blue line over the state and closed circle over the state in Figure 2) begins to dominate. We see mid to upper 90'sF here (and 100'sF not far out on the Plains). This heat will be about 10-15F above normal by Thursday afternoon.
The Longer Range Forecast:
That upper level high will drift off a bit to the east and the clockwise circulation around the high will allow some tropical moisture to ooze into the state (monsoonal-like moisture). Afternoon thunderstorms return Friday and the story becomes a broken record - days and days of highs in the lower 90F's, lows in the 60'sF with afternoon storm chances.
