A strong ridge of high pressure has been dominated the Southwestern US to end the week, leading to many new high temperature records. Phoenix, AZ set a new MONTHLY record on Thursday by reaching 118°, the hottest temperature in August since record keeping began.

Heat Alerts are in place through Friday. Several record high temperatures are in jeopardy. Temperatures have reached 110° in areas of the southwest, and the hot temperatures will continue into the weekend with gradual cooling.

After tying a record high of 99 on Thursday, Denver is still expected to reach the upper 90s on Friday before a significant cool down this weekend.

The longer range temperature outlook has a higher level of confidence that temperatures will remain above average through the middle of August.