DENVER -- Spring returns to Colorado this Sunday, with plenty of sunshine and warmer temperatures through the day.

A ridge of high pressure will be the dominating weather influence for Sunday and Monday, so the resulting weather will be dry and stable.

Afternoon temperatures will be in the mid 50s along the Front Range urban corridor and the eastern plains, and in the 40s in the high country.

Brace yourself for strong winds if you’re in the high country. The upper level winds will be especially strong Sunday, buffeting the mountains with gusts of 50 mph along the mountain passes. Wind gusts along the foothills will be in the 30 to 40 mph range.

Another storm system will move across the region Monday evening through Wednesday. A colder air mass will settle into Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures will drop from the 60s on Monday into the 40s by Tuesday, and then the 30s by Wednesday.

Snow returns to the mountains by late Monday, with rain and snow for the Front Range and eastern plains. Snow is likely by Tuesday night and Wednesday for the metro area, especially along the foothills and Palmer Divide.

Drier and warmer weather returns to the area by the end of the week.