A critical "red flag" fire danger warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. for nearly all of Western Colorado, while a tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. for five counties in the southeast corner of the state, the National Weather Service said this afternoon.

The watch applies to Baca, Bent, Las Animas, Otero and Prowers counties.

The Denver metro area, however, remains slightly overcast this afternoon, with a 30 percent chance of showers, and possibly thunderstorms and hail, this evening.

Sunnier skies and warmer temperatures return to the city Thursday, with a forecast high of 69 degrees. Temperatures remain in the mid 50s to low 60s into next week, but Denver has an outside chance at rain or snow Sunday night, as the low temperature sinks to 31 degrees, forecasters said.

Parts of the high country from Durango to Steamboat Springs have a 30 to 50 percent chance of rain or snow Friday through Sunday , forecasters said.

Rain would be a nice break, after a dry March that help sink the statewide snowpack to 49 percent of its 30-year-average today.