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A better chance for thunderstorms on July 4th

Not as hot, with more storms
Posted at 5:32 AM, Jul 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-04 08:07:50-04

DENVER- The hot and mostly dry weather will be replaced by cooler and more stormy conditions for the Fourth of July, especially for Denver and the I-25 Corridor.  A First Alert Action Day has been issued for Wednesday for strong to severe thunderstorms.

It was a hot and dry Tuesday.  Temperatures climbed to 99 degrees in Denver with some triple digit readings over the southeast plains.

Fire danger remains very high over most of the state and burn bans are in effect.  The use of fireworks is highly discouraged for the 4th of July holiday.

There will be a chance for strong afternoon thunderstorms on the Fourth of July and again on Thursday as cooler slightly more humid air moves into Colorado behind a weak cold front.

Some severe storms will be possible on Wednesday over the I-25 Corridor and the northeast quarter of the state - mainly after 2 PM.  Temperatures will not be as high with readings in the upper 80s for Denver and the eastern plains.

Only isolated storms will be possible in the mountains and across the western third of Colorado this week, along with more hot and dry weather.  The storms that do develop will bring more wind and lightning than meaningful moisture, so little change is expected in the dry conditions and the fire worries.

The brief bit of slightly cooler weather and better chance for storms will only hold for Wednesday and Thursday for the Denver area and eastern Colorado.  By Friday, temperatures will return to around 90 degrees with only a slightly chance for storms. 

For next weekend, temperatures will be very hot, back in the mid to upper 90s once again and rain chances will stay low.

We are still watching for signs of the beginning of the annual "Summer Monsoon" which will bring the slow moving, heavy rain making thunderstorms.  At this point, there is no indication that it will arrive before the middle of July.