The dreaded March “heat dome” claimed another record today, although it wasn’t as hot as it could’ve been.
The record-keeping weather station in Dillon read 67 degrees Fahrenheit around mid-afternoon, demolishing the old record of 59 degrees from 2017. At one point the National Weather Service said we could have reached the low 70s today.
This is the second consecutive day Summit County has smashed a high-temp record. Tomorrow will be the hottest of the heat wave with a predicted high of 74 degrees. If Summit hits 70 degrees, it will be the first time in recorded history for March. The Dillon 1 E weather station has been keeping records annually since 1911.
This March is already the warmest in 115+ years with 11 of the past 20 days breaking 50 degrees. Before now the warmest was 2017 with seven of 20 days over 50 degrees. Before that, it was 2004 with five of 20 days over 50 degrees.
March 2004 felt eerily similar to this year with three consecutive days in the 60s, followed by a brief cool-off in late March before a warmer-than-average April. Local snowpack that season was also below average, although a few wet snowstorms in April salvaged the tail end of ski season.
The outlook this season is not so optimistic. Latest forecast for next week shows highs in the 60s with no precipitation.
Summit’s Hottest in History (March 20)
2026… 67 degrees Fahrenheit
2017… 59 F
2004… 58 F
2005… 55 F
2009… 54 F