As dangerously high temperatures prepare to roast Colorado during this weekend’s heat wave, here’s when — and where — it could get the hottest.
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, a heat advisory is in place for all elevations in Colorado below 6,000 feet, including the Interstate 25 corridor and Eastern Plains, according to the National Weather Service.
“Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” NWS forecasters said.
Friday will be the coolest day of the weekend, but temperatures are still expected to reach 101 degrees by 5 p.m. in the Denver area, according to NWS forecasters.
North of Denver, the Fort Collins and Greeley areas can expect to see Friday highs of 102 degrees, and multiple areas across the Eastern Plains can expect 102 or 103-degree temperature highs, forecasters said.
The mountains will escape the worst of the heat — with temperature highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s — but the lower-elevation foothills could still see temperature highs up to 100 degrees Friday, NWS forecasters said.
On Saturday, 101-degree temperatures in Denver and 102-degree highs in Fort Collins and Greeley will hold steady, but the heat will increase across the Eastern Plains, according to NWS forecasters.
Julesburg and Limon — both of which will teeter on the border of 99 degrees and 100 degrees Friday — will reach temperature highs up to 102 degrees Saturday, forecasters said.
Along Interstate 76, Sterling will heat up to 105 degrees on Saturday, marking the highest expected temperature for the state that day, NWS forecasters said.
It could also be an area record for July 13.
The hottest temperature highs for July 13 recorded at NWS weather stations near Sterling are 103 degrees — a record set in 1934 near Leroy — and 100 degrees — a record set in 2020 near Fleming — according to NWS records.
Sterling will also lead the way Sunday — which is expected to be the hottest day of the heatwave across the state — with potentially a record-breaking temperature high of 107 degrees, forecasters said.
The record highs for July 14 in the Sterling area are 106 degrees, set in 1931 near Leroy, and 103 degrees, set in 2010 near Fleming, according to NWS recordsz.
Fort Morgan, also on Colorado’s Eastern Plains, will follow behind in a close second, with Sunday temperature highs expected to hit 105 degrees, according to NWS forecasters.
On Colorado’s eastern border with Nebraska, Julesburg will see temperature highs of 104 degrees on Sunday.
🌡️Heat wave arrives in full force today, sticks around thru the weekend with record/near record breaking heat!
🚰Stay hydrated
🌳🆒Seek shade/air conditioning
🚫Avoid strenuous outdoor activities
✅Check on vulnerable populations
🚫NEVER leave pets/children in vehicles!#COwx pic.twitter.com/s1afMttF56— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) July 12, 2024
The Sunday heat will increase to 102 degrees in the Denver area, which could break the area’s July 14 record of 100 degrees set in 1878, according to NWS records.
Slightly cooler temperatures in the upper 90s are expected in the Denver area and across the Eastern Plains Monday before relief arrives Tuesday, NWS forecasters said.
Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the heat of the day, check on vulnerable populations and never leave pets or children alone in cars, NWS forecasters said.
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