Well our first heatwave is on the way and if you’ve been outside today (Friday), you’ve likely already noticed it. A large ridge of high pressure has built over the SW US and it the culprit for our current and continue heatwave.
Ridges of high pressure trap air which is easier to heat. Ridges like this also suppress clouds and storm formation allowing for lots of sunshine. This is our first heatwave of the summer and it’s a big one.
Excessive heat warnings and Heat advisories are posted from Louisiana to Oklahoma to California. The Four Corners regions and Nevada are expecting to experience some big time heat through this weekend as well.
Here in Colorado, we’re expecting very high heat. In Grand Junction, a Heat Advisory is issued which marks only the 8th Heat Advisory ever issued in Colorado. Proof of the intensity. This is also the earliest a heat advisory has ever been recorded in a year.
Across the state, temperatures will be warming to 10-20º above normal for this time of the year. Here’s a look at the forecast over the next few days. Circled and Squared areas are where records may tie or be broken.
Records are likely to be broken in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Grand Junction and Alamosa this weekend. Although Denver might not break any records, we’ll be close and the heat the Mile High City will feel will be enough to cause heat strokes and other heat-related illnesses so take it easy if you’re working outside.
Drink more water than normal, find shade and take frequent breaks if you’re working outside. We’ll get a brief break from the heat Tuesday into Wednesday of next week but it’s looking like the heat will once again build as the next weekend approaches.
Stay cool!
Andy
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