Afternoon thunderstorms could return to the region this week, bringing some much-needed precipitation.

The National Weather Service predicts a chance of rain every day through Friday.

“Thursday into Friday might be our best chance,” meteorologist Dennis Phillips said.

Increased cloud cover could help the area cool down a bit, but average highs will remain well above 80, which is the average high for this time of year, he said. The agency is calling for a high of 94 degrees Tuesday in Durango and highs in the 90s on Wednesday and Thursday.

“We’re not cooling down to normal,” he said.

La Plata and Montezuma counties are in drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The southwest corner of La Plata County and much of Montezuma County is in moderate drought, and the rest of the two counties is abnormally dry, according to the monitor.

Durango received 1.24 inches of rain in August, Phillips said. Average rainfall for August is 2.18 inches, he said.

The Cortez area received 0.57 inches of rain in August, well below the average of 1.44 inches, he said.

“It just hasn’t been a good monsoon,” Phillips said.

mshinn@durangoherald.com