The weekend heatwave continues Saturday with 100-degree weather across Colorado, record-breaking temperatures and air quality alerts, according to the National Weather Service.
Saturday temperature highs will soar above 100 degrees for most of the urban corridor and Eastern Plains, NWS forecasters said.
In Denver, temperatures will peak around 4 p.m. at 102 degrees, according to forecasters.
If the daily high reaches 102 degrees as expected, the Denver area will break its all-time record for the hottest July 13. The current record — 100 degrees — was set in 2003, according to NWS records.
North of Denver, Fort Collins and Greeley will both see afternoon heat up to 103 degrees, forecasters said.
Although Greeley won’t set a new record Saturday, if temperatures in Fort Collins heat up as predicted, the city will break its own record for hottest July 13. Currently, Fort Collins’ record is 100 degrees, set in 2003, according to NWS records.
Out on the Eastern Plains, Fort Morgan and Julesburg will both see temperature highs of 104 degrees on Saturday, forecasters said.
Sterling will take the cake for Colorado — and maybe bake it too — with 106-degree heat in the afternoon, forecasters said.
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.
Heat advisories continue across Colorado Saturday between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., forecasters said. The advisory includes Fort Collins, Longmont, Boulder, the Denver area and Greeley.
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.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also issued an Ozone Action Day Alert for the Front Range Urban Corridor, including Douglas, Jefferson, Denver, Arapahoe, Adams, Broomfield, Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties.
The alert will continue through 4 p.m. Saturday.
Increased ozone concentrations and hot, stagnant weather could create unhealthy air quality conditions Saturday afternoon and early evening, the alert stated.
State officials said people in the affected counties should limit driving gas and diesel-powered vehicles until 4 p.m. Saturday. The highest ozone concentrations are expected to be in and near the Denver metro area.
The heatwave will continue Sunday, with the hottest temperatures yet.
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