Colorado Springs on Friday set a new daily high temperature record for Aug. 8 after temperatures reached 97 degrees at 3:40 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Pueblo. 

The previous record of 96 degrees was set in 1969.

For Aug. 8, Colorado Springs typically sees a high of 85 degrees and a low of 58, according to weather service climate data. 

“We typically hit our records in the summer from time to time, so this isn’t really out of the ordinary,” Kathleen Torgerson, a meteorologist with the weather agency, told The Gazette. 

Outside of El Paso County, Alamosa set a new daily high temperature record of 91 degrees, breaking its previous record of 88 set in 1962 and 2000. 

Torgerson said individual records are not indicative of climate change, but it “certainly seems plausible” the overall higher summer heat could be.

“It fits the overall pattern of higher temperatures, more records being set and then the average temperature for the month will be higher too with time,” Torgerson said. 

Friday is the last forecasted day of high heat before the threat of severe thunderstorms rolls through on Saturday. The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a slight risk for severe weather in El Paso County and much of eastern Colorado. 

“We could see some large hail, damaging winds and even a tornado isn’t out of the question for El Paso County tomorrow,” Torgerson said. 

Torgerson advised those under risk for severe weather to have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts and to stay weather aware. 

“If you have outdoor plans keep an eye on the weather, and lightning is our No. 1 risk out here,” Torgerson said. “I know hail is bad too … but don’t underestimate lightning either. The first strike of the day could be just as deadly as the one that happens later in the afternoon after you’ve seen the storms roll through.”