The heat wave baking the nation will hang over metro Denver on Thursday, ensuring a warm morning under sunny skies before clouds increase and bring possible afternoon storms, according to the National Weather Service.

Any thunderstorms will help reduce heat, mostly after 2 p.m., though rain is expected to be brief, weather service forecasters said, estimating the likelihood of precipitation at 30%. Storms may kick out winds at speeds up to 50 miles per hour and heavy rain, diminishing before midnight.

The high temperature in Denver on Thursday will be 93 degrees, decreasing to 63 degrees at night. On Friday, the high is expected to be 95 degrees.

In western Colorado, the high temperatures around Grand Junction likely will exceed 100 degrees, forecasters said. Dry conditions were intensifying in southwestern Colorado. More storms are expected east of Denver and Colorado Springs on the eastern high plains.