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Denver Ties All-Time Record Of 105 Degrees

Wednesday Tied Hottest Day In Denver History

POSTED: 7:46 am MDT July 20, 2005

UPDATED: 8:12 am MDT July 21, 2005

DENVER -- Think of Wednesday as part of history and it might make all that heat a bit more bearable.

Section: Summer Weather

Interactive: Sun Safety

Guide: All About Heatstroke

First Aid: Emergency Treatment

Kids: Summer Heat Safety

Pics: Viewers Beat The Heat

Video: Report On Heat

On Wednesday at 3:37 p.m., Denver reached 105° -- tying the hottest day in Denver history, set on Aug. 8, 1878. The 105° recorded at Denver International Airport broke Denver's old July record of 103° set in 1973 and in 1989.

The previous record high for the day -- July 20 -- was 102° and the Mile High City shattered that record at 11:59 a.m.

Since record keeping began in 1871, Denver has reached 100° or higher 54 times. Wednesday was the 55th time that occurred, said 24/7 Meteorologist Scott Mace.

Other records that were broken on Wednesday:

July 2005 is on track to be the second warmest July on record for Denver, with three days (including Wednesday) in which Denver hit the three-digit mark.

A whopping 101 degrees was recorded out at Denver International Airport on Tuesday, breaking the record of 100 degrees that had stood since the Dust Bowl year of 1934. Denver has seen temperatures of 90 degrees or higher on 16 of the past 19 days.

Other cities in Colorado that broke record highs on Tuesday include Pueblo, which saw 104 degrees; Colorado Springs, which recorded 97 degrees; and Alamosa, which hit 92 degrees.

Denver also broke a record high on Saturday with 102 degrees.

There is a chance of thunderstorms in the mountains with temperatures in the 80s so if you want to stay cool Wednesday, consider heading to the high country, Mace said.

Elsewhere, Wednesday's forecast high in Durango is 96, an even 100 in Colorado Springs, 102 in Fort Morgan, 103 in Greeley and Grand Junction, and 106 in Pueblo.

And even if it feels really hot in the Rocky Mountain states, it is worse elsewhere, especially in the western states. Temperatures in the mountains and deserts of California are among some of the hottest ever recorded, with Big Bear Lake reaching 94 degrees. Death Valley has reached between 125 degrees and 128 degrees several days this month. And visitors to Las Vegas have seen their eighth consecutive day of temperatures above 110 degrees. On Tuesday, the all-time heat record was tied at 117 degrees, making Sin City, Sweat City.

Thirteen heat-related deaths have been reported in Phoenix -- 11 of the victims were homeless.

Moisture from Hurricane Emily might move from Mexico to the southwestern U.S., possibly bringing some cloud cover and thunderstorms to Colorado and that could bring some much-needed relief on Sunday and Monday, Mace said.

How To Beat The Heat

During this heat wave, it is critical that you remember some tips on how you can beat the heat.

If you don't have air conditioning, keep your windows open (even though the blinds and shades are closed) to keep the air circulating. (Close windows at night to prevent burglars.) Use fans to aid this process if you own them. If possible, during the hottest part of the day, visit an air-conditioned facility, such as your local shopping mall, movie theater or library.

Young children, the elderly and people who have heart and lung conditions are at the greatest risk for heat-related health problems. If you are in these categories, you are encouraged to stay indoors.

Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and/or fainting.

If you become light-headed, dizzy, or feeling overwhelmed when you're outside, take a break from what you're doing and go indoors. If the dizziness continues, consult your doctor.

He explained that people suffer heat-related illness when the body's temperature control system is overloaded and the body can no longer cool itself.

"The body normally cools itself by sweating. However, under some conditions, sweating isn't enough and body temperature can rise rapidly. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs," said Douglas H. Benevento, the executive director of the Department of Public Health and Environment.

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