The Denver area can expect record and near-record heat to persist through Christmas, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures in Denver hit 76 degrees on Monday, breaking the previous 70-degree record set in 1955 and coming close to the warmest December day in Denver history, . As of 1 p.m., forecasters said temperatures in the city could climb a few more degrees before cooling down for the night.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Denver for December was 79 degrees on Dec. 5, 1939, .
Other metro-area forecasts for the week, according to the weather service, include “” temperature highs of:
- 68 degrees on Tuesday, five degrees below the 73-degree record set in 1901;
- 66 degrees on Christmas Eve, four degrees below the 70-degree record set in 1955;
- And 69 degrees on Christmas, which would tie the record set in 2005.
Critical fire weather returned Monday across the Front Range, especially west and south of Denver, prompting and , according to the weather service.
Warm temperatures, humidities as low as 8% and gusty winds between will be possible throughout the day, forecasters said. The largest impacts are expected west of Denver from the Colorado-Wyoming border to Lake George, and south of Denver to Castle Rock and Kiowa.
Winds will peak in the afternoon, but the fire weather watch will be active from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, according to the weather service.
Several other cities are expected to on Monday, forecasters said. Forecast temperature highs include:
- 71 degrees in Boulder, which would tie the record set in 1933;
- 70 degrees in Castle Rock, which would break the 69-degree record set in 2024;
- 58 degrees in Estes Park, which would break the 56-degree record set in 2024;
- 66 degrees in Evergreen, which would break the 63-degree record set in 2024;
- 68 degrees in Greeley, which would break the 65-degree record set in 2021;
- 71 degrees in Julesburg on the Eastern Plains, which would break the 70-degree record set in 1955;
- And 72 degrees in Limon, which would tie the record set in 1955.
Warm, dry weather will continue throughout the week, including on Christmas Day, across the Denver area and Eastern Plains, according to a from the weather service.
The chance for snow returns to the mountains on Christmas Day and will linger into Friday and Saturday, forecasters said in the outlook. Mountain snow could start as early as 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to .
This is a developing story and may be updated.
