After an ebb and flow of temperatures over the weekend and a cooler day on Sunday, warmth returns to southern Colorado this afternoon, including some haze and smoke.

“Highs will be about 10 degrees warmer than Sunday, with 70s and 80s in the plains and a mix of 60s and 70s in the mountains and mountain valleys,” said meteorologist Alan Rose of Gazette news partner KOAA.

“The other story will be areas of smoke and haze resulting from large fires burning to our north over parts of Wyoming and Idaho.”

Rose said a prevailing ridge of high pressure will keep the area high and dry again this week.

“Daily highs in the Springs will warm to the upper 70s to lower 80s, with overnight lows expected to remain well above freezing,” he said.

Rose said that later in the week, a strong high-pressure system responsible for the warmth will also prevent major storms from reaching the Pikes Peak region.

“Even next weekend, our chances of rain and snow remain extremely low,” he said.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south-southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 80°C. West northwest wind around 5 mph blowing east in the afternoon.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 82. West-northwest wind near 5 mph becoming south-southeast in the afternoon.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.