A pattern of rainstorms have aided firefighting efforts across southern Colorado, but critical fire weather conditions are expected to return starting this weekend.

The National Weather Service reports isolated thunderstorms will be possible Saturday afternoon, but warmer and drier conditions will develop into Sunday and through much of next week, with some “spotty” critical fire weather conditions possible over the mountains and San Luis Valley.

Gusty outflow winds with occasional lightning and brief rainfall will also be possible starting Saturday, the Weather Service in Pueblo said.

Burn scar areas from the Aspen Acres fire, including Pueblo County, were under a flood watch Friday as meteorologists expected another round of evening rain and storms.

Flash flood warnings and watches are expected to remain this month as the July monsoon season ramps up this month and through August, the Weather Service said. Burn scars are high-risk areas for flooding.

Rainfall that would normally be absorbed can run off extremely fast after a wildfire, with burned soil acting as a water-repellent just like pavement, according to the Weather Service.

Pueblo and Custer counties were also under an air quality alert due to smoke until 9 a.m. Saturday due to the wildfire smoke.

“Limit time outside if you are sensitive to smoke,” the Weather Service wrote in an X post.

Any rain this weekend likely won’t be the main story for cities like Colorado Springs and Pueblo, said meteorologist Casey Dorn of Gazette news partner KOAA.

Starting Saturday, Dorn said the city will be in the 90s for the “foreseeable future.”

“It does look likely for us to see a week or more of 90-plus highs,” said Dorn, with Sunday’s 91-degree forecast high the hottest.

Pueblo is expected to hit 98 on Saturday and Sunday, accompanied by sunny skies both days.

The heat will come with upslope winds that could gust at times, Dorn said. The combination means fire threats are likely to increase late this weekend into next week as fuels dry out.