Hello!
It’s been a hot one in Denver and along the Front Range lately. Unfortunately, the overall pattern doesn’t look to change much – at least in the near term. Let’s talk weather.
Forecast
This weekend is shaping up to be decent. Mainly sunny skies will be with us and aside from an very isolated afternoon chance of rain on Sunday, we will be dry. A pulse of energy is moving by to the north of us but that will send a quick bout of cooler weather to us for Sunday.
Friday: Highs in the lower 90s
Saturday: Highs in the lower 90s
Sunday: Highs in the mid 80s
This will be a great weekend across the board but again, there could be an isolated shower that traverses our forecast area and it’s not out of the question for there to be a strong storm or two but literally there will only be a couple of storms popping up. Mainly Sunday if it happens.
By next week, a large-scale drying and heating pattern will move in. Highs will hastily jump back into the 90s for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday will minimal rain chances.
Smoke
We’ve been largely smoke-free (ish) for a few days now thanks to upper level winds. We will bring smoke back into the forecast this week. This will mainly stay above ground level but it will obstruct the view of the mountains and reduce visibility at times.
Expect Saturday and Sunday to be a bit hazy at times.
Tropics?
So, although we are a landlocked state, we have to watch the tropics sometimes and now is one of those times.
What is Tropical Storm Nora right now may become a hurricane and move up the Gulf of California into the southwest US by next week. The upper level steering patterns are looking to pull the tropical moisture and energy from this storm into Colorado by Wednesday/Thursday of next week.
This storm is something to watch as it could bring a huge amount of moisture to the desert areas of the southwest. This isn’t uncommon but it is something we haven’t had to deal with in awhile.
Ultimately, the forecast for the end of next week is for tropical moisture to move into the state and that will likely spark numerous showers and storms and possibly create flooding concerns. Just something to monitor right now.
Notice the greens and darker greens showing up in Arizona. That’s picking up the tropical moisture that’s expected to move through.
Let’s talk numbers
Okay, so we’ve had a lot of 90s this season. We’ve felt 90º heat on 48 days this season which puts us our normally-expected 42 days of 90º heat. With the forecast of more 90s ahead, we will likely move into a top 10 spot for the most 90º days in a season.
Last year, 2020, was the year with the most 90º days ever. We won’t get to that number (hopefully) but we will likely move into a top 10 spot.
Something to note, 5 of the last 10 years have provided us with the most 90º days. A trend? Possibly. It is getting hotter in Denver during the summer.
Additionally, this is shaping up to be one of our hottest summers ever in Denver.
We are currently sitting in third place for the hottest meteorological summers in Denver’s history. Meteorological summer runs from June 1 to August 31.
With more heat in the forecast before August ends, we could jump into the number 2 spot. Unfortunately, that’s a stat no one really wants to see happen but it probably will.
TL;DR
It’s hot in Denver and the heat is continuing. We’ve had one of our hottest summers ever. A reprieve from the heat will come at the end of next week when tropical, yes tropical, moisture moves in. That will bring heat and drought relief to the area.
~ Andy
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