A rich supply of monsoonal moisture has been streaming northward across the Great Basin and western Colorado over the past several days. At times over the past weekend, this moisture has made it over the Continental Divide into Nederland, the Front Range Foothills, and the Eastern Plains of Colorado. Another surge of moisture will push across the area on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. As has been the case so far this monsoon season, the winds in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere will be predominantly from the west to southwest. This is not a favorable wind direction for producing sustained, significant rainfall in the Nederland area. What typically happens in these circumstances is thunderstorms form along and to the east of the Continental Divide and then quickly move eastward to the plains. However, the atmosphere will be very moist. Given this, even though they will be fast movers, thunderstorms could produce quick bursts of heavy rain over the northern Front Range Foothills, with amounts up to 0.50 inches or slightly more possible in a few locations from Ward and Jamestown southward to Black Hawk, Central City, and Evergreen.
Along with the moisture and clouds will come slightly cooler daytime temperatures and warmer nighttime temperatures. Highs over the next several days will struggle to reach the low to mid 70s with lows at night in the 50s. Overall, this will feel pleasant and the air will feel slightly sticky with the increased amounts of humidity. Remember, if you are heading up into the high country, try be below tree line and back to your car, if possible, by 11 AM – 12 PM. Be smart, be safe, and always keep an eye on the sky!