Most of Colorado will remain dry and hot Sunday, though mountain areas can expect to see isolated thunderstorms. Limited relief from the heat is expected later in the week.

Eastern Colorado

Temperatures will remain above the seasonal average Sunday, with most areas in the mid-90s and above. Lamar will be the hot spot for the southeast, with a high of 97 expected. Eads trails only slightly with a high of 95. Las Animas and El Paso counties will reach the upper 80s.

In the northeast, Fort Morgan and Sterling will approach 100, while Limon’s high reaches 93.

Mountain areas remain the destination for those looking for relief from the heat. Fairplay will be the cool spot in the state Sunday, with a high of 75 expected.

In the coming week, little relief is in sight until Wednesday and Thursday when temperatures fall back to the upper 80s and lower 90s.

For Monday, mid- to upper 90s are expected, with Eads and Sterling forecast to reach 100. Chances for thunderstorms return Tuesday, continuing through the week as an upper ridge moves east across Colorado allowing sub-tropical moisture to enter the area. Hot days combined with the inflow of moisture will help produce scattered thunderstorms each afternoon.

Fire danger will be elevated through the early part of the week; however, the lack of wind will help prevent rapid fire growth. Later in the week, the danger begins to drop off as the potential for rain increases.

Western Colorado

Much of the west slope will remain slightly cooler than the eastern plains, with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s into the middle of the week. The Grand Junction area is an exception, with a high of 100 expected Sunday, followed by upper 90s through Wednesday.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout the week. Storms Monday night into Tuesday bring a risk of dry lightning and strong outflow winds to areas already hard-hit with wildfire activity. Mountain areas will have the best chance for rain, while the lower valleys will remain largely dry. Grand Junction continues its march toward setting a record for lack of precipitation. The area has lacked measureable rain for 33 days. The current record is 49 days, set in 1904.