Colorado is getting a taste of its hottest weather of the year, with temperatures climbing into the 90s across much of the Front Range. Parts of southern Colorado are expected to reach well above 100 degrees Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for portions of southern Colorado, including Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Cañon City, where temperatures are expected to soar.
Temperatures in Durango were expected to hit 94 on Thursday, 92 on Friday and 88 on Saturday and Sunday.
“Pueblo could get to 105 degrees today,” said Boulder National Weather Service meteorologist Russell Danielson.
Denver also started Wednesday unusually warm, with temperatures in the mid-80s before 9 a.m.
While a weak weather boundary, a phenomenon that brings slightly cooler, more humid air to lower elevations, is moving through the metro area and may briefly cool temperatures by a few degrees this afternoon, forecasters still expect highs to reach the mid-90s.
The heat comes alongside dangerous fire weather conditions across a large portion of Colorado.
Red flag warnings are in effect for much of the state’s mountains and high mountain parks, where strong winds combined with dry vegetation are creating conditions where any spark could spread rapidly.
“Winds have already gusted up to 75 mph by Berthoud Pass,” Danielson said. “It's very warm and dry up there, so very bad fire danger.”
Forecasters are urging people to avoid activities that could start a fire, including campfires and anything that could generate sparks.
The hot weather is expected to continue through Saturday, with temperatures once again climbing into the 90s along the Front Range and eastern plains.
The far northeastern corner of Colorado could also see severe weather Saturday afternoon. Communities from Sterling and Akron toward the Nebraska border face the potential for large hail and damaging winds.
But, a broader shift arrives Sunday and Monday as cooler air moves into the state giving more regions a chance for showers.
Monday will likely be the wettest day in the forecast, with widespread thunderstorms possible across much of Colorado.
The best chances for rain are expected across the central mountains and the Palmer Divide. Forecasters are also watching signs that a strengthening El Niño pattern could eventually bring more moisture to Colorado later this summer, though it’s unclear when any benefits might arrive.
“We remain cautiously optimistic that we will at least be wetter than normal starting in July,” Danielson said.
Still, ongoing drought conditions may make that difficult.
“When we go into the season with a drought, it’s sometimes hard to break that drought pattern,” he said.
The combination of hot temperatures, dry conditions and low water levels is also raising concerns for Colorado’s rivers and streams. Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently warned anglers that warmer-than-normal water temperatures could stress fish and alter their behavior.
They’re asking fishermen, especially in southern Colorado, to monitor when streams and rivers reach temperatures above 70 degrees and be prepared for voluntary fishing closures this season.
Danielson said several factors contribute to warming waterways, including prolonged heat, abundant sunshine and lower streamflows caused by a dryer-than-usual winter.
The warning is just one more sign that this week’s heat isn’t only being felt by people. From rivers and fish habitat to forests already facing elevated fire danger, the impacts are showing up across Colorado.
“When you add on so many factors, it really stacks up, unfortunately,” he said.
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