Denver clocked its warmest September on record, dating back to 1872, according to a National Weather Service report published Tuesday.
By the numbers: Last month’s average temperature hit 70 degrees — a toasty 5.2 degrees above normal, NWS meteorologist Kenley Bonner tells us.
- This marks the fourth straight month with hotter- and drier-than-usual conditions, per the NWS report.
Zoom in: There were nine days in September when temperatures reached or exceeded 90 degrees.
What they’re saying: “We’re seeing a local trend of warming and drying,” Bonner tells us, pointing to human-caused climate change as a key factor.
Zoom out: Denver’s five hottest Septembers on record have all been since 2015. That year held the previous peak, when the average reached 69.4 degrees.
What’s next: Despite Tuesday’s temporary cool-down, more record-breaking heat is expected this week, according to NWS forecasters.