5 storm timing cues for Denver this week

Five timing cues show when storms exit tonight, when Tuesday’s round arrives, and when heat returns to Denver.

Storms are still moving across Eastern Colorado tonight, and Denver could see another round Tuesday afternoon after a severe thunderstorm watch that lasts until 8 p.m.

1. Tonight’s storms exit by late evening

Strong storms are still rumbling across Eastern Colorado after sending huge hail into parts of the Denver metro earlier today. The immediate concern is the severe thunderstorm watch for northeastern Colorado, which runs until 8 p.m.

For people along the Urban Corridor, the rest of the night looks calmer after the storms move out. Forecasts call for partly cloudy skies and overnight lows in the lower 50s.

• Severe thunderstorm watch: northeastern Colorado until 8 p.m.
• Overnight sky: partly cloudy
• Low temperature: lower 50s

2. Tuesday starts quiet, then storms return midafternoon

Tuesday morning should bring sunshine, but clouds build again by afternoon. The next round of storms is expected to cross the Interstate 25 corridor around 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. before moving east.

That timing matters for commuters, school pickups, and anyone planning outdoor work. Daytime highs will reach the upper 70s to low 80s, which is close to seasonal norms for early June.

• Morning: sunshine
• Afternoon: increasing clouds
• Storm window: about 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Highs: upper 70s to low 80s

3. Eastern Plains face the highest severe-weather risk

The far Eastern Plains are under a marginal threat for a few severe storms. That means the main hazards stay focused farther east, where storms could bring heavy rain, lightning, and large hail.

For anyone traveling east of the metro, this is the part of the forecast to watch most closely. The storm mode may stay scattered, but the stronger cells could still produce damaging hail.

• Risk area: far Eastern Plains
• Threat level: marginal
• Possible hazards: heavy rain, lightning, large hail

4. Wednesday and Thursday bring more afternoon storms

The pattern does not shut off after Tuesday. More afternoon storms are expected Wednesday and Thursday, so the middle of the week stays active before the weather pattern begins to dry out.

These later storms may not be as intense as the earlier hail producers, but they still add another stretch of unsettled weather. If you have flexible outdoor plans, afternoon is the part of the day most likely to need backup options.

• Storm timing: afternoon both days
• Pattern: repeated daily storm chances
• Trend: drier air starts to arrive later

5. Late-week heat builds fast

By Friday, a ridge of high pressure strengthens and starts pushing summer-like heat into the Front Range. Denver could see its first 90-degree day of 2026 on Saturday, and the heat may stick around into Sunday.

That shift is the biggest change in the forecast. After several days of storms, the region moves toward hotter, sunnier weather, so anyone working outside should plan for a quick jump in temperatures.

• Friday: warmer and drier
• Saturday: possible first 90-degree day of 2026
• Sunday: hot and sunny again

How to decide

If you need the safest window for outdoor plans, tonight after storms clear and Tuesday morning look best. If you are tracking severe weather, focus on Tuesday afternoon and the Eastern Plains, where the hail and lightning risk is higher.

If you are planning farther ahead, the main story shifts from storms to heat by late week. Friday through Sunday looks much warmer, and Saturday may be Denver’s first 90-degree day of the year.