Cold Front to Cut Southern Colorado Highs by 15 Degrees as Gusts Reach 45 mph

A cold front due to cross Colorado early Saturday will pull southern Colorado temperatures down 10 to 15 degrees, pushing readings below average, while gusts build to 40 to 45 mph across the area. The front arrives with a shift of tropical moisture moving east, adding precipitation to a region already carrying flood watches and warnings.

The National Weather Service forecast for Friday called for a low of 51 and a high of 73 in Colorado Springs, with early showers giving way to a drier afternoon and rising winds ahead of the front. Pueblo was set for a low of 55 and a high of 81 with showers through the day and more in the evening. Canon City was forecast to reach 75 after a low of 54. Woodland Park was pegged at a low of 43 and a high of 56, with intermittent showers. The eastern plains were forecast to hit a high of 83 after a low of 60.

Rainfall totals across the region were projected to run from 0.10 inches to 0.75 inches. Strong wind and falling temperatures were expected on the plains through the weekend, with the potential for heavier rain there depending on how conditions develop. Snow levels were expected to drop once the front passes.

Farther west, the hazard picture was sharper. Heavy rain was set to continue across the San Juan Mountains and the state's southwest corner, where flooding and mudslide risks persisted. Flood watches, severe thunderstorm watches and several flood warnings were in effect for that area, and heavy rain and flood risk were expected to hold across the San Juans and the western slope into Friday and through the weekend.

Weekend temperatures were forecast to turn cooler, with cold rain and possible snow at Woodland Park. Forecasters said next week would dry out and temperatures would return toward seasonal levels.