Denver, Colorado – Drivers and outdoor crews along the Front Range are dealing with rare March heat right now, as temperatures climb into the mid to upper 80s — levels that rival peak summer and even April extremes.
According to the National Weather Service in Denver/Boulder, multiple climate sites set new all-time March records Friday, including Fort Collins reaching 89°F for a third consecutive record-breaking day. That temperature ties the city’s warmest April high ever recorded, highlighting how unusual this heat is for late March.
Denver hit 85°F, tying its all-time March record, while Boulder reached 86°F and Brighton climbed to 87°F. Even mountain and foothill locations surged well above normal, with Evergreen at 79°F and Cheesman Reservoir hitting 82°F — marking the first time temperatures there have reached 80°F in March since records began in 1902.
Across 11 long-term climate sites, eight set new March records, while others tied or broke records set just one day earlier. The rapid back-to-back record setting underscores how persistent this heat dome has become.
The unseasonable warmth is accelerating snowmelt and increasing early fire danger, especially along dry grasses east of I-25. Residents are urged to limit outdoor burning, stay hydrated, and prepare for rapidly changing conditions.
This heat holds through Sunday evening before a cooldown begins early next week, though additional record highs remain possible in the short term.
