Sunscreen and sunglasses will be more in order than raincoats as metro Denver enjoys seasonal weather throughout the Independence Day weekend.
Metro Denver should see highs in the mid-90s on Thursday before high temperatures move into the lower 90s for the July Fourth holiday weekend, according to a forecast from the National Weather Service. Lows will be in the mid-60s Thursday night and stay in the low-60s the remainder of the weekend.
There is a slight chance of storms developing during the afternoons throughout the next four days, with the odds of a random shower highest on Thursday and Friday. But nighttime skies are expected to be clear on Friday and Saturday nights, which should make for good conditions to watch a fireworks or drone show.
There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon with mostly sunny conditions. Light and variable winds with gusts as high as 21 miles per hour. Showers remain a slight possibility through midnight and then again after 3 a.m. on Friday. The low in Denver will be around 66 degrees with light winds out of the south and southeast.
For Independence Day, there will be a slight chance of showers in the morning before 9 a.m. and then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, about 30%, during the afternoon. Winds will be lighter than on Thursday, but gusts from the north and northwest could reach 15 miles per hour.
Showers and storms are expected on Thursday at higher elevations, including small hail and strong wind gusts in some areas during the afternoon. Conditions on the Plains will be warmer than along the Front Range and the wind speeds will be higher through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.