COLORADO — A hot and unsettled Wednesday is taking shape across Colorado and surrounding areas on May 13, 2026, with widespread upper 80s and low 90s building across the region while scattered afternoon showers and storms develop during the afternoon and evening hours. Gusty winds between 35 and 55 mph and frequent lightning are the primary risks with any storm that fires today. An elevated wildfire risk is also in play given the hot temperatures, gusty winds, and low dew points across the region.
Moisture creeping in from the southwest at mid and high levels is fueling the scattered storm development, but with low dew point temperatures at the surface, much of the rainfall is expected to evaporate before reaching the ground. That evaporating precipitation will drive dangerous downburst winds outward at the surface, making gusty winds the bigger and more widespread story compared to actual rainfall totals today.
Gusty Winds 35 to 55mph and Lightning Are Primary Risks With Afternoon Storms Across Front Range…