On the thirteenth step of the Colorado State Capitol, a small message reads ‘One mile above sea level.’ It’s a popular spot for people visiting Denver to snap a few pictures. This year, the Mile High City has been feeling a “mile high” amount of heat.
On average, the Denver area reaches 90 degrees – or hotter – 30 times each year. It breaks down to this:
June: 6 days
July: 13 days
August: 9 days
September: 2 days
(^^Average # of 90°+ days for Denver^^) Source: https://w2.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=bou
However this year breaks down as follows:
May: 4 days
June: 16 days
July: 19 days
August: 10 days
May and June were clearly the warmest-to-average, when comparing the amount of 90°+ days. The total through Thursday, August 30 is 49 days. It may sound high to the average of 30, but it’s still quite apart from the record. The most number of 90°+ days was 73 in 2012, then 61 days in 2000. The 10th-most was 52 days in 1978. There is a decent chance at getting into the top ten.
The 50th 90°+ day could come on Friday, August 31 with a forecast high within a degree of that mark. Afterward, it cools through the first week of September. The *average* high temperature this time of the year is between 83 and 85 degrees. September yields an average of (2) 90°+ days for Denver. The longer-range forecast through mid-September is currently advertising at or above average temperatures for the Mile High City.
The Mile High City is known for being at an elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level. However, it is also known for how quickly the weather can change from near 80 degrees one afternoon to snow the next day. While the heat appears to hang in there, winter will be here before you know it.
For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier