Near-record to record heat will continue Saturday in the Denver area and on the Eastern Plains, with high temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

In Denver on Saturday the high temperature is expected to hit 96 degrees under mostly sunny skies. The Denver record-high temperature for Sept. 11 is 93 degrees set in 2018. The normal-high temperature for the date is 82 degrees. There’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the city after 4 p.m., the weather service said.

Record breaking heat likely to continue for the plains today. Denver’s record today is 93F, forecast is 96F.

Thunderstorms also possible this afternoon across the northeast. Main threats will be strong winds and lightning.

Cool front brings some relief tonight. #cowx pic.twitter.com/2ueYUJb6HN

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) September 11, 2021

If Denver’s heat climbs above 93 degrees on Saturday, it will be the third-consecutive day of record-breaking highs in the city.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected Saturday afternoon in northeastern Colorado. The storms could produce winds gusting up to 55 mph along with dry lightning, the weather service said. Hot weather, low humidity and lighting will raise wildfire concerns.

Saturday night in Denver there’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. and the low temperature will dip to about 60 degrees, according to the weather service.

Denver’s weather on Sunday will be cooler, with a high temperature of 86 degrees and a 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Skies will be mostly sunny.

A cool down is expected next week, with the high temperature in Denver on Tuesday topping out at 75 degrees.