It’s the first meteorological day of summer and Colorado Springs is forecast for one final active weather day in the quiver on Saturday. We will, yet again, watch for showers and thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon with some potentially turning strong to severe.

Today’s pattern will begin with mainly clear skies, with clouds increasing in a predicable pattern … by lunchtime we’ll be looking at puffy clouds over Pikes Peak and the Rampart Range.

Storm timing today should once again be in the 1-3 p.m. range in the Pikes Peak Region, with the potential for a strong storm or two with large hail and damaging winds once again. The level of severe concern today will depend strongly on how much moisture we pull in from upslope flow. So, the more humid it feels at your home this morning…the more likely a thunderstorm is in your afternoon’s future.

Isolated hail up to 1.5″ is possible (the size of a ping pong ball). A severe storm is possible in the Pikes Peak Region, but widespread storms are not. Highs today top out in the low 80s. The normal high temperature today in Colorado Springs, is 77 degrees.

Looking ahead

The second day of meteorological summer will feel like summer.

Our first heat dome of the summer season will begin building into the western U.S. on Sunday, pushing the mercury to the upper 80s during the afternoon. Great pool weather … but if you want to get out for that long run, it’s a good day to get out early, late, or move that run over to a treadmill!

As minor energy traverses the state, some fair-weather clouds are possible in the afternoon. Skies may even look threatening for a time over Pikes Peak, where a sprinkle is possible. But, the building ridge should win the day, keeping you dry.

Remember the sunscreen, the water bottle, and the hat. We’ll keep the roast cooking through Wednesday, with minor temperature changes each day thanks to minor features flowing over us. Upper 80s, mainly sunny skies, and dry conditions, rule the period.

Later this week, as ridging continues to build, our upper-level airflow will shift northwest. While I expect this persistent ridge to keep temperatures above average even in the longer range, we’ll bring back more unsettled conditions toward the end of next week as more moisture returns.