Cold Front Set to Drop Temperatures 15 Degrees Across Southern Colorado

A cold front crossing Colorado early Saturday is expected to cut temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees across southern Colorado, pushing readings below average for late October. Winds are forecast to build Friday and hold through the weekend, with gusts reaching 40 to 45 mph across the region. Tropical moisture moving east is set to add rainfall totals of 0.10 to 0.75 inches.

Showers were already in the forecast Thursday evening for the Pikes Peak Region, Pueblo County and the eastern plains, with overnight lows settling into the 40s and 50s across much of southern Colorado. West of the Front Range, heavy rain continued to fall on the San Juan Mountains and the state's southwestern corner, where flood watches, severe thunderstorm watches and several flood warnings were in effect. The National Weather Service forecasts heavy rain and flood risk to persist across the San Juans and the western slope through Friday and the weekend, with snow levels dropping after the front passes.

Friday's forecast calls for a low of 51 and a high of 73 in Colorado Springs, with early showers giving way to a drier afternoon. Pueblo is expected to range from a low of 55 to a high of 81, with intermittent showers through the day and more in the evening. Canon City should reach 75 after a low of 54 before moisture returns Friday night alongside the front. Woodland Park is forecast to go from 43 to 56 with intermittent showers, and the eastern plains from a low of 60 to a high of 83 with a few stray showers possible.

The weekend forecast for Woodland Park and surrounding higher terrain calls for cooler air, cold rain and possible snow. Rain and wind are expected to continue across the San Juans through the weekend. Forecasters expect next week to dry out, with temperatures returning to more seasonal levels.