Denver Breaks Record for Hottest March Day for 3rd Straight Day

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Denver has broken the record for the hottest March day for the third consecutive day, reaching 86 degrees on Saturday. This is the first time there have been four straight 80-degree days in March in Denver, shattering previous records. The heat wave is expected to continue through Monday, but temperatures are forecast to drop into the upper 60s on Sunday and mid-70s on Monday, providing some relief.

Why it matters

Denver's historic March heat wave is highly unusual and indicative of the broader trend of climate change leading to more extreme weather events. While the heat provides a preview of summer, the rapid temperature swings can also pose risks to public health and the local environment.

The details

On Saturday, the temperature at Denver International Airport reached 86 degrees, breaking the daily record of 78 degrees set in 1995. This was also the first time there have been four straight 80-degree days in the month of March in Denver. The 85-degree high on Friday broke the previous record of 80 degrees set in 1907, and Thursday's 85-degree high broke the all-time March temperature record of 84 degrees set on March 26, 1971.

• On Wednesday, the high hit 81 degrees, tying the third-earliest 80-degree temperature on record for Denver.
• On Friday, the temperature reached 85 degrees, breaking the previous daily record.
• On Saturday, the temperature reached 86 degrees, breaking the daily record.

What’s next

Temperatures are forecast to drop into the upper 60s on Sunday and mid-70s on Monday, providing some relief from the historic heat wave.