Denver is waking up hot and headed for downright sweltering. Early this morning (Friday, July 17), skies are mostly clear, temperatures are sitting around 68 degrees, and a light northeast breeze is about all the relief on offer. By afternoon, look for a quick warm-up with highs near 95 under mostly sunny skies. Overnight lows only dipping into the upper 60s means it will stay stuffy after dark.
Heat Spike Through Monday
The real heat is just getting started. Forecasters expect hot weather to lock in through Monday, with the most intense temperatures on Sunday and Monday. Highs are projected near 96 on Saturday, July 18, pushing to roughly 99 on Sunday, July 19, and around 97 on Monday, July 20. A Heat Advisory may be issued later Friday for parts of the Denver metro and the I-25 corridor, according to the National Weather Service.
Where To Cool Off
To help people ride out the heat, the city has opened cooling centers at libraries and recreation centers while the advisory is in effect. These sites offer air conditioning, water, and restrooms for anyone who needs a break from the heat. Hours vary by location, and many follow normal library or rec center schedules, so it is worth checking ahead before you go, Denver7 reports.
Evenings And Next Week
Evenings will stay warm, with lows in the upper 60s that limit how much the city cools off overnight. Looking ahead, monsoonal moisture is expected to arrive Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing a better chance of scattered, slow-moving thunderstorms. Those storms could produce locally heavy rain, so anyone planning outdoor activities on those afternoons and evenings should keep an eye on updated forecasts.
Health officials are urging common-sense precautions: stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor work during the hottest part of the day, and check on older neighbors, unhoused residents, and anyone without air conditioning. If you or someone you know is vulnerable to heat, spending several hours in a cooling center or another air-conditioned public space can make a real difference.
