Federal forecasters extended a Heat Advisory across a large portion of southern Colorado on July 27, covering territory that stretched from the Colorado Springs metro area through the Arkansas River valley and into the far southeastern corner of the state.
Throughout El Paso County, forecasters projected afternoon highs between 94 and 100 degrees, a range that applied to both Colorado Springs and the Monument area. Conditions were expected to grow more severe moving southeast: eastern Fremont County, home to Canon City, was forecast to reach between 98 and 103 degrees, while Pueblo County, the city of Pueblo included, faced projected highs ranging from 100 to 106 degrees.
The harshest heat was anticipated on the southeastern plains. Six counties in that region — Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, and Baca — were forecast to hit between 104 and 110 degrees. The National Weather Service cautioned that temperatures at those levels carry a meaningful risk of heat-related illness.
The advisory window ran from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. MDT. Alerts for El Paso County were issued in two separate rounds — an initial advisory the evening of July 26 followed by an updated notice in the early morning hours of July 27 — though both carried the same expiration time and an identical projected temperature range of 94 to 100 degrees. The same pattern of overlapping alerts applied to other areas in the coverage zone, including Pueblo County, where an initial advisory issued the evening of July 26 also projected highs of 100 to 106 degrees.
The National Weather Service advised residents to drink plenty of fluids, remain in air-conditioned spaces, stay out of direct sunlight, and check on relatives and neighbors who may be less able to cope with extreme heat. Officials underscored that temperatures at these levels have the potential to produce heat illnesses, with the greatest danger expected during the afternoon peak hours when readings across the region were set to climb highest.
Residents should watch for any NWS updates in the event that heat conditions persist or intensify beyond the advisory's current 9 p.m. expiration.