A look at the weekend: better thunderstorm chances Wed and Thu, hotter and drier Fri-Sun

06/11/25 9am: We have a couple of active weather days coming up in terms of better afternoon storm coverage. Models show a dirty ridge (moisture and some jet-stream energy) interacting over CO over the next two days before the pattern heats up and dries out for Fri-Sun. Weekend still looks nice.

Best storm coverage over the next two days will be over parts of the Front Range mountains and foothills (along/east of the Cont. Divide) and parts of the southern front-range and south-central mountains from Hoosier Pass south and east (closer to Pikes Peak ect). But many areas will have elevated storm chances today and tomorrow.

For the north-central and south-central mountains today: scattered thunderstorms from 1pm-10pm, best chances 3pm-8pm, best coverage along/east of the Cont. Divide. For tomorrow pretty similar with maybe an earlier start to a few storms, but basically scattered storms from 12pm-8pm, best chance 2pm-6pm tomorrow.

For Den/Bou and the front-range for today: isolated to scattered storms from 2pm-9pm, best chances 3pm-7pm and best coverage over the Front Range mountains and foothills. For tomorrow (Thu): scattered storms again from 1pm-8pm, best chances after 3pm, best coverage from Den south on Thu (Palmer Divide and foothills will be favored).

On Friday much more limited storm chances but still a chance for a few storms (some could be pretty strong) mostly over the northern front-range and eastern plains: 3pm-9pm.

Overall hot and drier for Sat and Sun.... which is great because we will be camping from mid-day tomorrow through Sun afternoon (Thomas will likely be taking over forecasts on the report). I'll have more tonight and tomorrow am before leaving.

First image loop shows forecast radar over the next 48hrs (6am this morning through 6am Fri) from latest HRRR model. Image 2 shows the upper level setup on Thu afternoon via 500mb vorticity / wind from ECMWF. Third image is a static view of the forecast radar at 4pm Thu and fourth image shows forecast total precip from now through 6am Sat from latest NWS Blend of Models...take with big grain of salt but shows where best chances for meaningful rain will be over the next 3 days.