(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — June 20 marks the summer solstice, or the first day of summer, and several parts of Colorado are set to hit record-breaking highs due to forecasted heat.

You know what they say, if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. In the course of a week, Colorado has seen temperatures drop, tornado warnings, hail, to then see temperatures rise right on time for the start of summer.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory for most of the Plains and Southeastern Colorado. Heat advisories are issued when conditions are hot enough and could cause heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Most of Eastern Colorado is under a heat advisory, with cities like Denver, La Junta, and Lamar standing at category 3 or a “major” risk of heat-related impacts, meaning the level of heat expected could affect anyone without effective cooling or adequate hydration. Other cities like Colorado Springs, Trinidad, and Pueblo stand at a category 2 or “moderate”, which affects most individuals who are sensitive to heat.

Cities like Lamar and La Junta may see temperatures over 105 during the daytime on Friday, while other places like Walsenburg, Colorado Springs, and Trinidad will be right around 95 degrees or higher at the hottest point of the day. Saturday, June 21, will also be hot with temperatures sticking in the 90s-100s across Southern Colorado.

While some places in Colorado may be close to record-breaking heat, it comes nowhere close to the 115 degrees recorded at John Martin Dam, near Las Animas in July 2019. However, temperatures are way above the 81.6 average for this time of year.

The excessive heat will hit the Plains first, before spreading to the Midwest and Great Lakes.

Individuals are advised to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, and check on those who are most susceptible to the heat.