The Denver area will see near-record heat Tuesday as temperatures approach 100 degrees for the third time this summer, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures between 98 and 101 degrees are expected across Denver, the city’s metro suburbs, Fort Collins and Boulder, according to a NWS heat advisory. The advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
If temperatures reach 101 degrees in Denver, the city could tie its record for the hottest July 30 ever, according to NWS records.
Temperatures in Fort Collins are forecasted to hit 99 degrees. If the city hits those temperatures, it will break its record for the hottest July 30.
Fort Collins’ current record for July 30, set in 2006, is 98 degrees, according to NWS records.
“Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside,” NWS forecasters said in the heat advisory, adding that Tuesday’s temperatures could cause heat-related illnesses. “When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.”
Heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion and stroke, happens when the body isn’t able to cool itself down and can be deadly. More than 1,000 people die from heat-related illnesses each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Those who are at highest risk for heat-related illness include people 65 and older, children younger than two and people with chronic diseases or mental illness, according to the CDC.
“The important thing is for people to prevent symptoms of heat-related illness,” said Scott Bookman, a Colorado Department of Public Health representative, in a previous interview with the Denver Post. “We really want to encourage people to stay indoors and be hydrating.”
Symptoms of heat-related illness can include red or itchy skin, muscle pain or cramps, shallow breathing, elevated body temperature, a weak but quick pulse, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, dizziness or fainting, according to the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.
To help residents cool down and stay safe during the heat, Denver is opening designated cooling centers, the city said in a news release.
Denver Parks and Recreation will open all recreation centers as daytime cooling centers during regular business hours, according to the news release. Each center will have a designated area for cooling off that has access to drinking water, restrooms and a place to sit.
Denver Public Library locations are also available to the public as cooling centers, according to city officials.
Xcel Energy said it was prepared to issue an Energy Action Day during Tuesday’s heat.
“With the high temps, Xcel Energy customers may receive an Energy Action Day email from the company with information on ways to save energy,” the utility outlet stated in a Tuesday news release.
Xcel announced the program in June as a way to reduce stress on the energy grid during Colorado’s hottest summer afternoons.
The goal of Energy Action Days is to ensure everyone in the community — including homes, businesses, schools and hospitals — can access the power they need, Xcel Energy officials said.
When action days start, customers will get an email notifying them of the potential strain on the grid and giving them tips on how to temporarily reduce their energy use, the energy utility said.
Reducing energy use in the afternoon can save Xcel consumers on the “time-of-use” pricing model, Xcel officials said.
Between June and September, the summer time-of-use rates are:
Off-Peak: 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. — $0.12/kWh
Mid-Peak: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. — $0.22/kWh
On-Peak: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. — $0.32/kWh
Residential Opt-Out: $0.16/kWh
Weekends and holidays are billed at the off-peak rate.
Xcel customers on the time-of-use model can also lower their overall energy bills by pre-cooling their homes during off-peak hours and allowing temperatures in the home to rise during peak hours, Xcel said.
“Home cooling accounts for nearly half of a customer’s summertime electric bill,” utility officials said in Tuesday’s news release. “According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Americans spend $29 billion every year to power their air conditioners.”
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According to Xcel, customers can save on their energy bills by:
Installing a programmable thermostat and setting the temperature higher when the house is empty. This can help customers save up to 10% on cooling costs.
Using ceiling fans throughout the home.
Opening interior doors to improve the circulation of cool air inside.
Using a whole-house or attic fan to draw in cool nighttime air and push out hot air during the day.
Changing air conditioner filters and cleaning air conditioner coils to improve efficiency.
Customers can save up to 3% on their energy bill for each degree their thermostat is set above 72 degrees.
To stay safe during the heat, Denver officials said residents should:
Stay inside in air-conditioned buildings — including your home or a cooling center — as much as possible. Air conditioning is the number one way to protect yourself against heat-related illness.
Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Take cool showers or baths to cool down instead of relying on fans.
Limit outdoor activity, especially during the middle of the day when the sun is hottest.
Don’t use the stove or oven to cook–it will make you and your house hotter.
Don’t drink alcohol or beverages that contain caffeine.
If people need to be outside during the heat of the day, city officials said they should:
Wear and frequently reapply sunscreen.
Pace their activity and rest often.
Pay attention to muscle cramping, which may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
Drink more water than usual to combat cramping and heat-related illnesses.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat.
An Ozone Action Day Alert is in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor until 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to NWS.
Hot, dry and stagnant weather combined with increasing wildfire smoke could create unhealthy air quality, especially for sensitive groups, NWS officials said in the alert.
Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion tomorrow afternoon and evening, according to weather officials.
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