Southern Colorado Faces 45 mph Gusts and Rainfall Up to 0.75 Inches

Wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph are forecast across southern Colorado from Friday through the weekend, with total rainfall accumulations ranging from 0.10 to 0.75 inches. Tropical moisture shifting east is expected to feed precipitation into the region as a cold front arrives.

The front is scheduled to cross Colorado early Saturday, lowering temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees to below-average readings. Winds will build Friday and persist through the weekend. Rainfall totals across the region could reach 0.75 inches in some areas.

In Colorado Springs, Friday's forecast calls for a low of 51 and a high of 73, with early morning showers giving way to a drier, sunnier afternoon before winds increase ahead of the weekend. Pueblo is set for a low of 55 and a high of 81, with intermittent showers through Friday and additional rain in the evening. Canon City should reach 75 after a low of 54, with moisture pausing Friday afternoon before the front and a new push of moisture arrive Friday night.

Woodland Park is forecast to hit 56 after a low of 43 on Friday, holding above seasonal averages with intermittent showers. Cooler conditions over the weekend bring cold rain and the possibility of snow there. On the plains, Friday's low is 60 with a high of 83, and stray showers are possible before temperatures fall and strong wind develops.

Mountain locations are forecast to reach a high of 59 after a low of 41. Heavy rain and flood risk continue across the San Juans and the western slope through the weekend, with snow levels likely dropping after the front passes. Flood watches, severe thunderstorm watches and several flood warnings were in effect Thursday evening across southwestern Colorado, where heavy rainfall kept mudslide and flooding risks elevated. Showers were forecast Thursday evening for the Pikes Peak Region, Pueblo County and the eastern plains, with overnight lows settling into the 40s and 50s across much of southern Colorado.

Forecasts call for drier conditions next week and temperatures returning to seasonal levels. The cold front is expected to cross Colorado early Saturday.