By Chris Sorensen

While the average last-frost date is still weeks away, warm spring weather has settled in across southeast Colorado, and fire danger will be elevated Friday.

A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from noon Friday until 9:00 p.m. due to the fire risk for Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Elbert and Teller Counties. Portions of El Paso, Saguache, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Conejos and Costilla Counties are also under warning. Humidity is expected to fall below ten percent, with winds gusting to 30 miles-per-hour possible.

While southeast counties are not under the warning, the fire risk is high as temperatures reach unseasonably-warm mid-80s. Most of the region will remain dry, though there is a potential for thunderstorms along the Kansas border.

Saturday’s high will drop to the 70s as a front crosses the eastern plains, potentially bringing moisture into the area and a chance for a few showers – primarily across the eastern mountains and adjacent plains.

The chance for showers and thunderstorms across the plains increases slightly Saturday night through Sunday. High temperatures further retreat to more seasonal 60s under mostly cloudy skies for the Easter holiday.

Monday will see the return of highs in the 70s, which are expected to continue throughout the week.

Keep an eye on evolving conditions for the end of the week as a stronger system moves into the area. Depending upon the track, significant rain may return to the plains to help encourage the early spring green-up. Check back for details.

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