Colorado high country faces showers, thunderstorms amid ongoing wildfires

Meteorologists forecast a moderate‑to‑high chance of showers and thunderstorms across Colorado’s high country beginning Tuesday, with the National Weather Service predicting up to 40% chance of precipitation and wind gusts as high as 25 mph. Temperatures are expected to stay in the 70‑80 °F range, with some locations such as Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs reaching the 90 °F mark later in the week.

While the incoming moisture could produce localized heavy rain, experts warn that dry thunderstorms – lightning over dry vegetation with little rain – may increase wildfire risk in drought‑stricken areas. "There is still some concern about what thunderstorm outflow winds could do to ongoing wildfires," said OpenSnow meteorologist Alan Smith. However, Grand Junction NWS meteorologist Gillian Felton noted that the anticipated rain is weak and unlikely to significantly affect existing fires.

The Western Slope remains in the highest drought level, and officials do not consider the current wet spell the start of Colorado’s monsoon season. A stronger monsoon surge is projected for the week of July 13, potentially bringing more substantial moisture from the Gulf of California into the broader Western U.S. region.