Record-breaking heat returns to southern Colorado Tuesday, more fire danger ahead

Forecasters are saying record-breaking heat is back on the table as temperatures soar into the 80s and 90s for southern Colorado. According to the National Weather Service’s Pueblo office, record-high temperatures are “likely” for southern Colorado over the next three days. Wednesday will be the hottest. Critical fire weather conditions, the Weather Service says, are […]

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Forecasters are saying record-breaking heat is back on the table as temperatures soar into the 80s and 90s for southern Colorado.

According to the National Weather Service’s Pueblo office, record-high temperatures are “likely” for southern Colorado over the next three days. Wednesday will be the hottest. Critical fire weather conditions, the Weather Service says, are possible for Wednesday and Thursday, as well.

(Courtesy of National Weather Service).

The Weather Service has already slated a fire weather watch for Fremont and Teller counties on Wednesday afternoon and evening, with forecast wind gusts of 40 mph and humidity as low as 10%. Parts of the Rampart Range in El Paso County are also included in the watch.

Temperatures Tuesday will be more than 15-20 degrees warmer than Monday. That will be hot enough to “threaten” daily heat records in Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Alamosa, Meteorologist Alan Rose of Gazette news partner KOAA said.

Rose said periods of smoke from the 24 fire will continue to impact air quality near the fire. An Air Quality Alert was in effect in Fremont County but has since been lifted.

While evacuation orders have been lifted, the wildfire, burning along Colorado 115, ballooned to 7,385 acres. It 24% contained, according to a Monday night update from Fort Carson officials. Officials still warn residents to be on “ready” status for evacuations in case the wildfire goes out of control again.

Smoke should not be as thick Tuesday afternoon, Rose said, in El Paso County and the Pikes Peak region.

Region-wide, northwest winds are expected to develop Tuesday afternoon, with peak gusts in the 20-25 mph range, according to Rose. Red flag warnings have not been issued on Tuesday, but are expected to return on Wednesday.