Denver residents can expect drier weather this Monday, Aug. 17, before thunderstorms return to Colorado later in the week [1, 2].
The shift in weather patterns provides a brief reprieve for a region that recently experienced significant precipitation, though the return of the monsoon suggests continued instability.
Meteorologists said that high pressure is currently blocking the monsoon, which will suppress rainfall in the Denver area today [1, 2]. This dry spell follows a period of intense activity, with the region seeing four days of intense rainfall prior to the current forecast [1].
Despite the current dry conditions, the relief is expected to be short-lived. Forecasters said that the monsoon is predicted to return later this week, bringing thunderstorms back across the state of Colorado [1, 2].
Temperature increases are also expected as the week progresses. Some forecasts indicate that temperatures will surpass 90 °F during the week [3].
This volatility follows a weekend of active weather. CBS Weather said, "Sunday is a First Alert Weather Day as scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across Colorado this afternoon and evening" [2].
The transition from high-pressure stability to monsoon-driven storms is a common pattern for the region during August. Residents are advised to monitor local alerts as the weather shifts back toward storm activity toward the end of the week [1, 2].
“High pressure is currently blocking the monsoon, which will suppress rainfall in the Denver area today.”
The interplay between high-pressure ridges and the North American Monsoon typically creates rapid weather swings in the Rocky Mountain region. While the current high pressure provides a temporary window of dry, hot weather, the predicted return of the monsoon indicates that the atmospheric conditions fueling heavy rainfall remain present, maintaining a risk of flash flooding and lightning later in the week.
