DENVER — Once upon a time, 100-degree temperatures were a rare event in Denver.
These days, though, 100-degree heat seems to be a regular staple of summer life at altitude.
Denver officially hit 100 degrees on Monday, based on official observations at Denver International Airport, the city's official climate observation station.
That broke a daily record high temperature of 99 degrees, set back in 2020.
That also marked Denver's fourth 100-degree day so far in 2022, far more than the long-term average of less than one 100-degree day per year. In the last 30 years, though, Denver's experienced a sharp uptick in 100-degree days, mostly owing to a warming climate.
This also clinches only the eighth year on record (out of 150) that Denver's experienced four or more 100-degree days in a single year.
Denver's also up to 29 days at 90 degrees or hotter so far this year, putting the city on approximate pace for 55-60 days at 90 or above. The 30-year average for 90-degree days over a full year in Denver is 44.
A persistent ridge of high pressure is keeping temperatures significantly above seasonal averages, boosting temperatures well above average for this time of the year.
A Heat Advisory is in place for most of northeastern Colorado until 9 p.m. on Monday night.
Temperatures will cool a bit for both Tuesday and Wednesday, although highs could bounce back to near 100 again on Thursday and Friday.
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