May 28, 2025 - News
Mapped: Colorado's extra-hot summer
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A scorching summer is on deck for Colorado, according to a new seasonal forecast from NOAA.
Why it matters: Climate change continues to alter the character of American summers, with the latest outlook raising concerns about wildfire risk and water supply — all already-stressed systems in a warming West.
The big picture: Summers are warming nationwide, a recently updated analysis finds.
- Average summer temperatures between 1970 and 2024 rose in 97% of the 242 cities analyzed in a new report from Climate Central, a research group.
- In Denver, temperatures are up 2.7°F degrees, on par with the national average of 2.6°F hotter on average.
Zoom in: Fitting with decades-long trends, western Colorado faces a 60% chance of above-normal temperatures from June through August, according to NOAA.
- The rest of the state isn't far behind, with a 50% to 60% likelihood of hotter-than-average conditions.
