Above-normal high temps expected to continue Sunday and into the week

If you’re planning to spend time outdoors on Sunday, you might want to make sure you’re hydrated and are wearing plenty of sunscreen.

The forecast in Denver calls for sunny skies and a high of 96 degrees Sunday, with a low around 77. Although scattered showers are expected in the afternoon after 4 p.m. and evening, rainfall is “expected to be light to moderate and brief,” according to the National Weather Service in Boulder.

Forecasters also predict gusty winds at 7 to 11 mph during the day and at night.

That warming temperature trend of above-normal highs is expected to continue throughout the week, with highs in the 90s.

Don’t forget about those outdoor plants, folks.

Warming trend continues today with highs in the 90s across northeast Colorado. Scattered showers and few weak storms are expected this afternoon. Gusty winds will be the main threat. Any rainfall is expected to be light to moderate and brief. #COwx pic.twitter.com/gIU4Mjjt2l

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) July 23, 2023

The National Weather Service warns of scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms over the mountains and foothills throughout the week, with isolated showers and thunderstorms later in the day in the plains. “Most of the showers and storms will only produce light rainfall, but strong, gusty outflow winds,” according to the hazardous weather outlook.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also issued an air quality alert for the the Front Range urban corridor at least through 4 p.m. on Sunday, asking people to limit driving any non-electric vehicles, and warning of unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups particularly in the afternoon and evening.

The highest concentrations of ozone are expected in the southern and western portions of the Denver Metro area, according to the alert.

But even in areas that aren’t expected to reach those levels, CDPHE is requesting a reduction in activities like driving non-electric vehicles for neighboring areas’ air quality.

“Additional air pollution in this region may directly worsen air quality or contribute to precursors which may also adversely affect air quality,” the advisory stated. More information can be found at colorado.gov/airquality.