It’s feeling hotter than usual for many Durango residents, and Dan Cuevas of the National Weather Service in Grand Junction confirms that the 90-plus degree heat is unusual for this time of year.

“There is a very large and strong high pressure system hovering over the Great Basin,” Cuevas said. “It’s definitely going to stay there until midweek, and then hopefully it flattens out.”

On Monday, Durango reached a high of 96 degrees, and Tuesday saw a high of 98 degrees, according to National Weather Service measurements. Cuevas said there is not enough information yet to know if these are record highs.

Residents can expect similarly warm weather for the rest of the week, with a 20% chance of rain on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Next week will see a slight relief from the extreme heat, with high temperatures dropping into the 80s, and a 10% to 20% chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Cuevas said temperatures are high enough that residents need to take precautions.

“It looks like we’re going to have above normal temperatures for the rest of September,” he said. “People need to be careful if they’re working or spending leisurely time outside. Make sure to drink plenty of water, and if you can, try to work during the coolest parts of the day.”

Cuevas said the hot, dry weather is a concern when it comes to the long-lasting drought in Southwest Colorado.

“The heat definitely won’t be helping the drought in southern Colorado,” he said. “There is a chance we’ll have a wetter than normal fall, but it also looks like we may have an equal chance of drier than normal weather, which is concerning. Especially when it comes to wildfires in the area.”

molsen@durangoherald.com