Denver breaks 130-year heat record set in 1896, shattering previous March 24 record

Denver broke a 130-year-old heat record for March 24. The previous record was 76 degrees, set in 1896. The National Weather Service recorded an official high temperature of 81 degrees in Denver on Tuesday.

This continues a stretch of unseasonably warm temperatures for Colorado in March. 

Last Saturday marked the peak of this early-season heat wave, with Denver International Airport climbing to 86 degrees, setting a record for the warmest temperature ever recorded in March. While the airport fell just short of 90 degrees, many communities across the plains surged into the low 90s — an extraordinary feat for March.

The heat isn't over yet. Wednesday's previous record high is 75 degrees for March 25th, and the forecasted high is 88 degrees. 

Wednesday has the chance to not only break the daily record high, but also the new warmest temperatures ever recorded in March. A cold front is expected to move through by the end of the week, dropping temperatures into the 60s.