Denver’s Wednesday brings sunny skies and a high near 89°F, cooling to around 87°F by afternoon — a welcome break before the heat ramps right back up. Get your outdoor plans in early, because Thursday jumps to 96°F and the National Weather Service says triple digits return by the weekend.
Today’s Setup
Tuesday’s cold front did its job, and the Denver/Boulder office of the National Weather Service says today is the last sub-90 day for a while. An upper-level ridge is sliding east to settle over the Four Corners and Great Basin, locking in a hot, dry pattern that builds each day this week. Winds stay light out of the north-northeast at 3 to 8 mph. There’s patchy smoke before 8 AM that should thin out, though forecasters note another surge of heavier smoke was expected to move in by Wednesday morning, so don’t be surprised if the sky looks hazy on and off.
Best Window To Be Outside
Morning into early afternoon is your play — clear skies, light wind, and temperatures that haven’t yet peaked. Some early fog and low clouds near sunrise could linger over the urban corridor and keep things a touch cooler than the forecast high if it sticks around. By evening, temps ease back into the 60s (overnight low near 61°F, rising to about 63°F), making for a pleasant night out.
Rain, Wind, Fire, Or Heat Risk
No rain is in the picture today (just a 1% chance), but fire weather is the real story: a Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon to 7 PM for the northern mountains and high valleys, where gusty winds and single-digit relative humidity will raise fire danger. If you’re heading up the I-70 corridor for a hike or mountain trip, take it seriously. A fire escape ladder 2 story is smart to have on hand at home given how dry conditions are running across the region.
What To Wear Or Bring
Sunscreen and a hat are non-negotiable with a mostly cloudless sky. A patio umbrella 10ft is a good call if you’re grilling or hanging out on the patio through the afternoon heat.
Tonight At Coors Field
The Colorado Rockies host the Tampa Bay Rays at Coors Field tonight — pleasant conditions with temps easing into the 70s and 80s by first pitch. Grab official team gear on Fanatics or find tickets on StubHub if you’re headed downtown. Later this week, Sublime & Slightly Stoopid & 311 play Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre Thursday, August 7, with a Sublime t-shirt worth grabbing beforehand. Noah Kahan brings The Great Divide Tour to Coors Field Saturday, August 8 — a Noah Kahan hoodie makes a great evening layer once temps drop after sunset. Get tickets on SeatGeek for either show.
Dinner Tonight
With the smoky haze lingering, a simple stir-fry or pasta dinner beats firing up the grill in thick air. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Thursday jumps to 96°F under sunny skies with more patchy smoke, and the NWS says the mid-to-upper 90s stick around the urban corridor into the weekend as the ridge holds firm — check the outdoor gear deals page and the smoke tri-tip grilling guide before you fire up the pellet smoker this weekend.
