Hopeful signs of some rain - for now

Some fascinating changes taking place in the weather to wrap up this week. First, record high temperatures will setup for the Plains Thursday and then it's followed by an incredible drop for the start of the weekend - and snow nearby. 

Here's the rundown of record highs and the corresponding years:

It's not our first encounter with summer heat because we saw this in our second full week of May with highs well above average. 

Snow in May?

Look how close we get with a weekend system coming across the High Plains and into Kansas on Saturday. While our area gets rain showers (no thunder with this batch of moisture), you can see where the snow will be flying - Colorado. In fact, in the Denver area, snowfall amounts in excess of 6" will be possible before it all ends Saturday afternoon. The mountains will of course, get a bunch more. 

Kansas shouldn't expect anything heavy on Saturday. Just a very chilly day and some showers that could yield up to .25", but unlikely more than that. 

Early next week:

The system getting some traction as a possible heavy rain maker is next week. A system arriving in the upper atmosphere should come out of the Rockies and into the Plains Monday-Tuesday. If the system slows down, which looks likely to happen, there should be ample time for this one to drop nice rains. There is a chance of 1-2 inch rainfall to happen over the course of two days. Severe weather chances look unlikely, given how cool it will be and several other missing ingredients. 

Memorial Day weekend preview:

Get ready for a WARM! Memorial Day weekend. The pattern shifts to more of a summertime look, which may not be all that surprising how things are going for us lately. I'm expecting some widespread heat as we wind down the month of May. Temperatures running 5-8° above normal would yield 80s and 90s.