Today is the hottest May 22 ever recorded in Denver, as the mercury hit 91 degrees just after 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
"We might be able to squeeze out another degree or two, but it's getting pretty late in the day," said Frank Cooper, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Denver.
Today's mark topples the old record high of 90 degrees set in 1939.
This morning, forecasters had expected the city to sizzle in 95-degree heat this afternoon. However, high cloud cover held temperatures down to the 80s most of the day in the city, Cooper said.
The 30-year average high for the date is 73 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures are expected to cool in the 70s in the Denver metro area the rest of the week, with rain chances each day through Sunday.
Hot, dry, windy weather has areas east and west of the Front Range under a critical "red flag" fire danger warning until 9 p.m.
The wind gusts up to 50 mph will be pushed by the cold front approaching from the northwest, according to the National Weather Service.
Windy conditions could continue on the plains into Wednesday afternoon, forecasters said.
