We’ve got one more day of hot, dry, and windy conditions across western Colorado before a big pattern shift moves in. Temperatures will stay well above normal for late March, and winds will ramp up through the afternoon, with gusts reaching up to 45 miles per hour in valley locations and even stronger over higher terrain.
Because of that combination of wind, warmth, and very low humidity, Red Flag Warnings are in effect from noon to 8 pm for lower elevations across northwest and west-central Colorado. Fire danger is critical, and any spark could spread quickly, so outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
Looking ahead, things start to change late tonight into tomorrow as cooler air and moisture move in. Expect increasing clouds, with rain developing in the valleys and snow above 9,000 feet through midweek. Some mountain areas could see several inches of accumulation, especially at pass level, with the most impact likely during the overnight and early morning hours.
Conditions remain cooler and more unsettled through Wednesday, with some uncertainty heading into the end of the week.
