Metro Denver area temperatures Monday reached a high of 98 degrees, just one degree shy of the record high of 99 degrees set back in 2005, according to the National Weather Service.

High pressure and a dry atmosphere have dominated this summer, leaving a persistent heat that isn’t expected to leave anytime soon, NWS Meteorologist David Bartaenbruch said.

A heat advisory will be in effect Tuesday, July 30, with high temperatures of 98 to 101 degrees, according to NWS.  

The advisory is in place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, and it covers Denver and its surrounding cities, Boulder, Longmont, and up to Fort Collins.  

The record temperature for July 30 could be matched tomorrow, with a record high of 101 degrees set back in 2005, according to Bartaenbruch.

Denver Parks and Recreation plans on activating cooling centers for the public on Tuesday in all operating recreation centers during normal business hours. Designated areas will have access to drinking water, restrooms, and a place to sit, according to a news release from the city.

Denver Public Library locations are also available to the public during normal business hours.  

The Department of Housing Stability said homeless people can also seek refuge from the heat at select shelters.

In addition to Denver, Aurora also plans to open cooling centers for residents to take a break from the heat at Central Library, Chambers Plaza Library, Hoffman Library, Martin Luther King Jr. Library, and Aurora Day Resource Center. 

“Case managers from Mile High Behavioral Healthcare will be available during peak hours at the Aurora Day Resource Center to provide resource information,” said Michael Brannen, a spokesperson for the city of Aurora.

If you’re sensitive to heat, make sure you limit the amount of time that you’re outside, and be aware of the following symptoms of heat-related illnesses from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• High body temperature (103°F or higher)
• Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
• Fast, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Losing consciousness (passing out)

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment also recommends the following steps to stay safe from the heat:

• Stay inside in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible.
• Drink more water than usual and people should not wait until they’re thirsty to drink.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down, instead of using fans.
• Don’t drink alcohol or beverages that contain caffeine.
• Limit any outdoor activity, especially during the middle of the day when the sun is hottest. 

For people outside, the agency offered the following tips:

• Wear, and frequently reapply, sunscreen.
• Pace the activity and rest often.
• Pay attention to muscle cramping, which may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat. 

Authorities noted that pets are susceptible to heat-related injuries because they do not sweat like humans do. If dogs aren’t able to take in cool air, their bodies have no way of cooling down.

Authorities also said that if people see a dog in a hot car, they should immediately call 311 or the police’s non-emergency number at 720-913-2000, adding that the city’s Good Samaritan law provides legal immunity to people who break a car window to save an animal.