Tracking a quiet week ahead of a possibly stormy weekend

TODAY: Monday is another bright day, but notably warmer than the weekend. With the return of south wind, we'll push temperatures into the low 70s. We'll also be quite dry, and with south winds sustained around 15 mph and gusting into the 20s, any fire could easily get out of control so burning is discouraged.

TONIGHT: Clouds increase this afternoon and evening ahead of showers that likely arrive after midnight. These light showers will have at most a few rumbles of thunder with them, and be focused mostly north of I-70. Temperatures overnight are much warmer, only falling to near 50 by sunrise.

EXTENDED: We may not see much of sunrise with clouds and showers continuing into the midday hours for many Tuesday, especially in the north. Clouds and showers will clear in the afternoon, leaving an appreciable sunset. We'll be cooler and clear on Wednesday, minus a few high clouds. Highs likely still reach upper 60s. Thursday brings more warmth, even if just marginally. A warm front will work in Thursday night, and with it comes a chance for thunderstorms. Temperatures early in the day likely reach 70s, but we'll stay mild, near 60 overnight as we track a wave of showers and thunderstorms. This puts us south of the warm front and in the "warm sector" on Friday, increasing chances of warmth and moisture needed for more thunderstorms, and potentially strong thunderstorms. We'll remain in this warm sector through the weekend, but various forces will play for or against thunderstorms through the weekend. We're generally looking dryer on Saturday with upper level ridging suppressing storm chances, with more activity likely Saturday night into Sunday. We may have to watch for strong storms with these chances as well. Severe weather is not a certainty on any day just yet, so stay tuned to the forecast for updates.