Southwest Colorado could see light showers on Wednesday.

National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Aleksa said storms aren’t expected to bring more than a tenth of an inch to the high country and a trace amount in Durango.

However, the midweek storm is likely to have the potential to bring gusts of wind reaching 25 to 30 mph.

“We are seeing elevated moisture but it will still remain dry,” Aleksa said. “And so we’re maintaining these hot temperatures.”

Cortez reached 98 degrees Sunday and was expected to remain in the mid-90s through the end of the week.

Durango high temperatures are projected to be in the low to mid-90s throughout the week with a likely chance of showers on Sunday.

Pagosa Springs has a 50% chance of rain Thursday and Friday afternoon. Highs are likely to be in the low 90s through the end of the week. Wednesday night presents the best opportunity for rain in Pagosa Springs, according to the seven-day forecast.

Dry thunderstorms could create fire hazards.

Since June 1, the National Weather Service rain gauge at Durango-La Plata County Airport has measured about 0.38 inches compared to the average of 1.23 inches.

During a wet monsoon season in 2022, DRO received close to 2 inches by this time in July.

“When you get these thunderstorms that don’t carry a lot of moisture, and you get all the lightning, it can result in fire starts,” Aleksa said.

As of Sunday, Aleksa wasn’t sure what to think of monsoonal moisture coming to the region. He said some models are showing positive indicators of showers while others are not.

“Right now there’s a high-pressure system directly overhead,” he said. “But when it shifts to the east, that allows the winds around the high-pressure system to draw out that moisture from the south.”

tbrown@durangoherald.com