Southern Colorado Braces for 45 mph Gusts as Cold Front Crosses Early Saturday

A cold front is due to cross Colorado early Saturday, dropping temperatures 10 to 15 degrees below average and pulling tropical moisture east across southern Colorado. Ahead of it, the San Juan Mountains and the state's southwestern corner were already under flood watches, severe thunderstorm watches and several flood warnings Thursday evening, with heavy rain continuing to raise flooding and mudslide risks there.

Forecasters expect winds to build Friday and hold through the weekend, with gusts running 40 to 45 mph across the area. Rain totals across the region could reach 0.10 to 0.75 inches. Heavy rain and flood risk were expected to persist in the San Juans and the western slope through Friday and the weekend, and snow levels were expected to drop once the front passes.

Colorado Springs was forecast to start Friday at 51 degrees and reach 73, with a few early showers giving way to a drier, sunnier afternoon and rising wind ahead of the front. Pueblo's Friday outlook called for a low of 55 and a high of 81, with showers on and off through the day and more in the evening. Canon City was set for 54 overnight and 75 on Friday, with moisture pausing in the afternoon before the front and a new push of moisture arrive Friday night.

Woodland Park was forecast to hit 43 overnight and 56 on Friday, above seasonal averages, with intermittent showers; cooler weather was expected over the weekend, bringing cold rain and possibly snow. On the plains, the Friday low was set at 60 and the high at 83, with a few stray showers possible there.

Overnight lows across much of southern Colorado were expected to settle in the 40s and 50s. Forecasters expect the region to dry out next week, with temperatures returning to seasonal levels.