Be ready to take off your winter coats this weekend for above-average temperatures that will persist across the Pikes Peak region for several days.

According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, temperatures Friday will hit a high near 55 degrees, and they are expected to break into the 60s over the next few days. Also on the forecast are drier-than-normal conditions with bouts of winds possible every few days.

The temperatures are above the 42 degree average for this month and are expected by the Weather Service to be that way headed into Thursday, when temperatures are forecast to have a high near 53 degrees.

The impacts

The abnormally warm temperatures and relatively low humidity levels have already increased fire risk across the region. On Thursday, several counties, including El Paso, were put under a red flag fire warning until 5 p.m.

Weather Service Meteorologist Steve Hodanish said there could be localized critical fire conditions on Saturday and Wednesday in El Paso County, but their forecast isn’t indicating those conditions statewide.

He said there are “extremely low” probabilities of any precipitation over the next seven days.

“The greatest day of concern could potentially be Wednesday. It’s going to be on the windy side … Overall, the weather is going to be nice,” Hodanish said.

Under warm, windy and low humidity conditions, the Weather Service says fires can catch and spread quickly.

The dry conditions have also impacted Colorado’s snowpack, which is in its third year in the last five to start below median average. Over the next six or seven days, the dry spell is expected to diminish the snowpack even more.

Snow is forecast to return about a week before Christmas, giving the possibility of the first fresh snow in 10-plus days.