Denver weather is doing that thing again. You know, the thing where you're wearing a t-shirt at noon and digging for an ice scraper by sunset. Honestly, if you've lived here long enough, you stop asking why and just start keeping a parka in the trunk next to your jumper cables.
But this week is different. It’s not just a "cold front." We are looking at a massive shift in the atmosphere that’s bringing some of the most intense wind gusts we’ve seen so far in 2026. If you're planning to drive I-25 or head up toward Wyoming, you might want to rethink those plans.
The Reality of Weather This Week Denver
Right now, we are sitting in the middle of a high-stakes transition. Friday, January 16, isn't just a bit breezy; it's officially under a Red Flag Warning and a High Wind Warning.
We're talking about north-northwest winds hitting 60 to 70 mph across the plains. Up near Wellington and the Wyoming border, the National Weather Service is seeing a 80% chance of gusts topping 75 mph. That’s not just "windy"—that’s enough to flip a high-profile vehicle or turn your patio furniture into a low-earth orbit satellite.
The Breakdown of What’s Coming
Today, Friday, the high is going to struggle to reach 40°F. Compare that to the 60-degree tease we had earlier in the week. It's a sharp drop, and the humidity is tanking into the teens. That's why the fire danger is so high. When it's this dry and this windy, a single cigarette butt or a spark from a dragging trailer chain can start a disaster.
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Saturday, January 17, things calm down slightly, but don't get too comfortable. We’re looking at a high of 41°F and a low of 24°F. The winds will still be hanging around at 10 mph from the northwest, making that 41 feel more like 30. It'll be mostly sunny, which is the classic Colorado "lie"—it looks warm through the window, but the air has teeth.
Why Is It So Dry?
We’ve been stuck in this weird La Niña pattern. Normally, by mid-January, Denver International Airport should have seen about 20 inches of snow for the season. As of last week, we were barely at 7 inches. We are behind. Way behind.
While the mountains are getting some love—areas like Rabbit Ears Pass and Wolf Creek have seen decent totals recently—the Front Range is mostly just getting the wind. This is due to "subsidence." Basically, the air is sinking and drying out as it comes off the mountains, killing any chance of meaningful snow for the metro area this weekend.
What to Expect Early Next Week
Sunday is the "recovery" day. A brief ridge is moving in, which should bump our temperatures up by 15 to 20 degrees compared to Saturday. We might actually see the 60s again. It’s a short-lived gift.
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By Monday, another trough (a dip in the atmosphere) swings through. It won't have much moisture—again, Denver is the "dry" child of this storm system—but it will bring the cold back.
- Friday: High 40°F | Low 26°F (High Wind Warning)
- Saturday: High 41°F | Low 24°F (Dry and Chilly)
- Sunday: Warming trend (Sunny and much milder)
- Monday: Cooling back down (Windy again)
The big talk among meteorologists right now is the "ensemble spread" for next weekend (January 24-25). There’s a legitimate 20% chance we see arctic air dump into the state, potentially pushing temperatures below zero. It's not a guarantee yet, but the signals are there.
Expert Take: The Fire Risk is Real
Local meteorologists at the Boulder NWS office have been sounding the alarm on the fire weather. Because December was the second-warmest on record for Denver, the vegetation is exceptionally dry. We haven't had the heavy, wet snow "blanket" that usually keeps things tucked in for the winter.
If you are out on the plains or in the northern I-25 corridor, the "High Wind Warning" is the primary thing to watch. Visibility can drop to near zero instantly if dust starts blowing, and with the "arctic origin" of this current front, the wind chill will make it feel significantly colder than the actual air temp.
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Surviving the Week Without Losing Your Mind (or Shingles)
Basically, keep your expectations low for snow but your guard up for wind.
- Strap it down: Check your trash cans and anything loose in the yard.
- Hydrate: With humidity dropping to 11-16%, you’re going to feel it. Your skin, your throat—it's basically a desert out there.
- Travel smart: If you have to drive a van or truck north of Fort Collins on Friday, maybe don't. The crosswinds on I-25 are notorious for causing accidents during these north-northwest flow events.
- Watch the skies: Sunday is your window for outdoor chores or a hike. Take it.
Denver's weather is a game of endurance. We’re in the dry stretch of a La Niña winter, which means we get all the wind and half the moisture. Hang in there; February and March are historically our snowiest months, so this "brown winter" won't last forever.
Next Steps for Denverites:
Check your tire pressure today. Sudden temperature drops from 60°F to 26°F will trigger your TPMS light. Also, ensure your outdoor spigots are disconnected; even without a major snowstorm, those overnight lows in the 20s are enough to cause plumbing headaches if you're not careful.