Denver woke up to clear skies Friday, July 10, with the KBJC observation near 63°F and calm winds, a deceptively gentle start before temperatures take a serious jump this weekend.
Afternoon Shower Chance
There is a slight shot at scattered, mostly high-based showers and an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon, mainly between about 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The main issue looks to be brief bursts of gusty outflow winds rather than soaking rain. According to the National Weather Service Denver/Boulder, this may be the last modest precipitation chance before a strong ridge builds in, and heat advisories may be needed as early as Sunday or Monday.
Weekend Heat On Deck
The warmup really kicks in Saturday, July 11, and sticks around into next week. Highs are expected to reach around 96°F on Saturday, roughly 97°F on Sunday, and climb toward 99°F by Monday, July 13, and Tuesday, July 14. Overnight lows in the mid-60s will not offer much relief, keeping homes and apartments on the warm side even after sunset. While this ridge is in place, conditions should stay dry with limited chances for any meaningful rainfall.
Plan Ahead
Any shower that does pop up this afternoon could flip the switch from calm to windy in a hurry, with sudden gusts and brief downpours. Drivers, outdoor workers, and anyone planning afternoon activities should be ready for fast-changing conditions.
If a Heat Advisory is issued, Denver Parks and public libraries will open daytime cooling centers during normal hours; residents can check the city’s cooling-center guidance for specific sites and schedules, according to the City and County of Denver. In the meantime, it is a good idea to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, and keep an eye on neighbors or relatives who do not have air conditioning.
Related
This heat surge first showed up on our radar earlier in the week; today’s forecast mainly tightens the timing: a stray afternoon shower today, then a sustained warm-up starting Saturday. For more context, see our earlier heat-wave heads-up, as per Hoodline.
.jpg){kind=link}