DENVER — Record-breaking temperatures are expected in Denver and across Colorado over the next several days as a high pressure system triggering multiple hot weather alerts will bring dangerous heat through at least Sunday.
This isn’t a normal summer weather pattern in Colorado as it is unusual to not only break the 100 degree mark, but to continue that trend for several days.
“It’s not usual for us to have these afternoon highs in the triple digits in Colorado, we’re just not built that way,” warned Denver7 Meteorologist Stacey Donaldson. “Everyone will be baking here over the next few days.”
A big ridge of high pressure is in control of the weather across most of the western United States triggering multiple heat advisories and warnings along the coastal states, which is a precursor of what’s to come for Colorado.
Denver’s forecast high temperature for Friday is 102°, dropping to 100° on Saturday before the warmest day of the weekend arrives on Sunday where metro temps should soar to at least 103°.
Across the urban corridor and northeastern plains, temperatures could range between 98 to 105 degrees in some locations.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Boulder has issued a heat advisory each day - Friday through Sunday - starting at 10 a.m. through 8 p.m.
The entire Denver metro, Boulder and communities stretching to Fort Collins and Greeley are under the heat advisory where symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke remain a concern particularly for people more prone to weather-related health concerns.
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION
Heat exhaustion can develop in just a few minutes. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, clammy skin and a fast or weak pulse.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people suffering from heat exhaustion should sip water, loosen clothes, find a cooler location and apply cool, wet cloths or take a cool bath.
Anyone with heat exhaustion symptoms that last longer than 1 hour or are experiencing worsening conditions should seek immediate medical help.
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE
The CDC says heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness in which the body temperature can rise to 106° or higher in as little as 15 minutes.
Heat stroke symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, heavy sweating, seizures and can be fatal if not treated.If heat stroke is suspected, 911 should be called and the victim should be moved to a shaded or cooler area and outer clothes should be removed.
The CDC says to help cool the victim, wet the person’s skin, soak clothes in water or apply cold wet cloths to the skin.
In addition to the dangerous heat, air quality in the Denver metro will likely remain a concern over the next several days for all people and especially sensitive populations.
An ozone action day alert has been issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) until at least 4 p.m. Thursday.
“Continued hot and stagnant weather will allow ozone to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups…the highest concentrations are expected in southern and western portions of the Denver Metro area,” said the CDHPE.
There is an increased risk of respiratory problems for children, adults and anyone else with lung issues. The CDHPE urges people with breathing or lung issues to reduce time outdoors and avoid any heavy activity during the upcoming heat wave.
“Just a lot of stagnant air that will be sitting over us for the end of the week and the weekend,” added Donaldson.”
RARE 100-DEGREE DAY STRETCH IN DENVER
Denver’s official weather reporting station at Denver International Airport last recorded 100 degrees on June 25, 2024. Before that, the last time Denver officially hit 100° was back on August 5, 2022.
Denver has not experienced a streak of three consecutive 100-degree days since June 2021 and before that way back in July of 2012.2012 was a particularly hot period where Denver saw the most 100-degree days ever in a single year reaching a record 13 days of triple digit heat.
Sunday’s temperature will warm close to the all-time record in Denver of 105°.
If Denver reaches 100 degrees Friday, Saturday and Sunday – that would bring this year’s total to 4 days of 100-degree heat and would rank in the Top 10 of 100-degree days by year.
The heat has already made headlines in Denver this summer after NWS data recorded June as the second-warmest on record just behind the scorcher of 2012.
COLORADO HEAT WAVE | FORECAST TEMPS BY CITY
Here’s a look at how high temperatures are expected to peak starting Friday through the weekend in these Colorado communities. To view the chart in fullscreen mode, click this link.
The potential for record-high temperatures stretches across communities along the I-25 corridor and through the plains. If there is moisture to be had in Colorado, any storms would likely form over mountain communities with most of the rest of the state unfortunately remaining dry, according to the NWS.
“This extended heat can have negative impacts on health, especially those sensitive to heat. It is essential to stay hydrated in these conditions and check on loved ones and pets while these conditions persist,” added the NWS.
PREVIOUS DENVER HIGH-TEMPERATURE RECORDS THIS WEEKEND
To break heat records in Denver, the afternoon high temperatures would need to break these previous records for the following days:
- July 12: 101° set in 1971
- July 13: 100° set in 2003
- July 14: 100° set in 1878
For context, the normal afternoon high in Denver for this time of the year is 90 degrees.
Along with the potential health impacts, Xcel Energy urged customers to follow certain tips to help reduce electricity costs during the upcoming heat wave. Customers can conserve energy by opening interior doors to improve air circulation, closing drapes and blinds during the day, and running large appliances like washing machines outside the hottest periods of the day.
To see the 100-degree temps in Denver infographic in fullscreen mode, click this link.
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