Colorado weather: Heat risk advisories issued for 100-degree, potentially record-breaking heatwave

With a heatwave of 100-degree weather on the horizon, “much of the population” across Colorado’s Eastern Plains and the Denver area will face severe heat risks over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperature highs of 101 degrees Friday will put the Denver area and Interstate 25 corridor under a “major risk” heat advisory, and the Eastern Plains will face “moderate” heat risks, according to NWS forecasters.

A “major risk” heat advisory means that much of the population is at risk of illness from heat exposure, and a “moderate” advisory means those who are sensitive to heat or don’t have access to effective cooling and hydration are at risk, forecasters said.

The only step above a “major risk” advisory is an “extreme risk” advisory, where there’s little to no overnight relief during periods of long heat duration.

Temperatures are also expected to reach 101 degrees on Saturday, but the “major risk” heat advisory will expand eastward, including most of the plains in east-central Colorado, forecasters said.

In Denver and areas near Fort Collins, the heat risk Saturday morning will become “extreme,” according to NWS forecasters. Areas under extreme risk will grow in the metro area and spread between Fort Collins and Estes Park on Sunday.

By Sunday, forecasted temperatures of up to 103 degrees will put all areas east of the foothills — aside from a small area in southern Colorado — at “major risk” for heat illness, NWS forecasters said.

If Friday hits a high of exactly 101 degrees as forecasted, it will tie the record for the hottest July 12 of all time, according to NWS records. The 101-degree record was set in 1971.

With 101-degree heat also expected Saturday, Colorado has the chance to break the record for the hottest July 13 of all time. The current record — a high of 100 degrees — was set in 2003.

Sunday also has the potential to set a new record, forecasters said.

If Colorado sees the expected 103-degree temperature high, Sunday will break the record for the city’s hottest July 14 ever recorded. The current record high, set in 1878, is 100 degrees.

Heat advisories will be in place Friday through Sunday between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. for Fort Collins, Boulder, the western suburbs of Denver, Denver and Greeley, according to an NWS hazardous weather outlook.

“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the outlook stated. “Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening.”

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