Denver is on track to see its hottest Christmas in history, but snow could return over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures are forecast to , which would break the 69-degree record set in 2005, according to .
The city broke its heat record on Christmas Eve as temperatures hit 71 degrees Wednesday afternoon, . The previous record of 70 degrees was set in 1955.
That’s the third time that Denver has broken a record-high temperature this month, and Christmas could mark the fourth, weather service forecasters said.
Fire weather conditions have been elevated to near-critical and will threaten the foothills on Christmas, . Record and near-record holiday heat is also expected across the metro area and Eastern Plains, .
As of Wednesday afternoon, other included:
- 68 degrees in , which would tie the city’s record set in 2005;
- 49 degrees in , which would break the city’s 47-degree record set in 1906;
- 69 degrees in , which would break the 63-degree record set in 1980;
- 69 degrees in , which would break the 66-degree record set in 1971;
- 55 degrees in , which would break the 54-degree record set in 1959;
- 60 degrees in , which would fall just short of the record set in 1971;
- 68 degrees in , which would break the 63-degree record set in 1963;
- 69 degrees in , which would tie the record set in 1955;
- And 49 degrees in , which would break the 45-degree record set in 1994.
The Denver area will remain dry on Christmas, but there’s a chance snow will return to Colorado’s mountains Thursday, forecasters said.
If snow falls, the state’s mountain passes will see between a trace and 5 inches of snow, . Up to 18 inches of snow is possible on Mount Zirkel, the highest peak of the Rocky Mountains’ Park Range.
Snow may move into lower elevations, including Denver, Saturday night into Sunday morning, according to from the weather service.
The strongest chance for snow in Denver will fall between 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday, forecasts show.
