Temperatures soared to record levels in Denver on Wednesday, breaking a mark that has stood since 1876. The high reached 100 degrees, eclipsing the previous record on 98 degrees set four days before Colorado officially became a state!
This also marks the 5th time temperatures have hit triple digits in Denver this year. This places 2021 in a tie for third place for the number of days reaching 100 degrees or hotter. The years 1990 and 1989 also reported 5 days of 100 degrees or higher. The record year was 2012 when Denver hit triple digits 13 times. In 2005, the Denver area recorded 7 days of 100 degrees or higher.
An Ozone Alert will remain in effect for the Front Range and the I-25 corridor. Ozone concentrations are in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category. Smoke from various wildfires across Colorado and the western United States will continue to make our skies a little hazy, but conditions are much worse over Wyoming and Montana.
Hot temperatures will remain as well, with highs climbing to the upper 90s to low 100s in Denver and across the eastern plains again Thursday. Expect highs in the mid 70s to low 80s in the mountains.
Nighttime readings will be in the 60s for lower elevations and middle 40s to low 50s in the mountains.
There will still be widely scattered thunderstorms for the higher terrain, but Denver and the I-25 corridor will stay mainly dry, with just a few afternoon clouds.
Thursday afternoon, an increase in monsoon moisture will bring a better chance for widespread thunderstorms to the mountains, but it will stay mainly hot and dry for Denver and the eastern plains.
A cold front will begin to move into Colorado from the north Friday evening, bringing an increase in moisture and a better chance for thunderstorms by late afternoon.
Showers and thunderstorms will be likely Saturday and Sunday along with much cooler temperatures. Some locally heavy rainfall will be possible in the mountains and foothills over the weekend.
Hotter and drier weather will return early next week.
Click here to watch the Denver7 live weather stream.
