Weather maps are essential tools for understanding atmospheric conditions, forecasting, and interpreting what’s happening in the sky. Whether you’re preparing for a weekend hike or simply curious about the weather, knowing how to read these maps can give you valuable… Read More »How to Read Surface Weather Maps: A Beginner’s Guide
As December 1st marked the official start of meteorological winter, Coloradoans are preparing for the winter season based on a consistent three-month period of December, January, and February. While the astronomical winter doesn’t begin until around December 22nd, meteorological winter… Read More »Colorado’s Meteorological Winter: What to Expect in the 2024-2025 Season Amid La Niña and El Niño Changes
As Denver wakes up to clear skies this Thanksgiving, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on the city’s Thanksgiving climatology. Snowfall yesterday added a wintery prelude to the holiday, but the weather today is shaping up to be quiet and… Read More »Denver’s Thanksgiving Day Climate: A Historical Look at the City’s Weather and Snowfall Trends
Seattleites are in for a wild ride this week, as a textbook bomb cyclone slams the Pacific Northwest with raw, unrelenting force. From howling winds and towering waves to thunderstorms and unrelenting rain, the storm is offering a textbook lesson… Read More »Seattle’s Epic Bomb Cyclone: A Meteorological Monster Unleashes Power and Fury
A potent storm system moving across the United States is set to deliver a double punch of weather impacts this week. While Colorado and the central Rockies brace for snowfall and a sharp drop in temperatures, the Lower Mississippi Valley… Read More »Storm System Brings Snow to Colorado Mountains and Severe Weather to the Deep South
This November is shaping up to be an unusually active month across the U.S., with a potent combination of winter storms, severe thunderstorms, and a powerful hurricane stirring across the nation. Colorado faces one of the season’s strongest winter storms,… Read More »A November to Remember: Intense Winter Storm, Severe Thunderstorms, and Hurricane Rafael
Today, the Great Plains are witnessing a clash of seasons, with significant weather events unfolding across the region. Denver marked its first measurable snow of the season, while farther southeast, severe thunderstorms, including the potential for strong tornadoes, are impacting… Read More »Severe Weather Grips the Great Plains: Denver’s First Snow While Tornado Threat Looms in Oklahoma
As temperatures drop and the season for frigid air masses approaches, the National Weather Service (NWS) is making significant changes to its cold weather alert system. Starting October 1, 2024, familiar terms like “Wind Chill Watch” and “Hard Freeze Warning”… Read More »NWS to Simplify Cold Weather Alerts: Key Changes for Winter 2024
Denver is on the edge of a winter preview, as the first snow of the season is set to arrive on Wednesday morning, marking a dramatic shift from recent dry, warm conditions. This weather rollercoaster kicks off after today’s critical… Read More »Denver Prepares for Possible First Snow of the Season
As Coloradans, we’re no strangers to nature’s power – from blizzards to wildfires, our weather has its own intensity. However, the recent hurricanes Milton and Helene have raised questions about how hurricanes are categorized, particularly as some of these storms… Read More »Understanding Hurricane Categories: How Hurricanes Like Milton and Helene Are Classified
As Halloween approaches, Denver’s weather can be as unpredictable as the costumes on its streets. From sunny skies to snow-covered pumpkins, the Mile High City has experienced a variety of spooky weather patterns on October 31st over the years. Let’s… Read More »Denver Halloween Climatology: Tricks and (Weather) Treats
Tropical Storm Helene has formed in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, showing signs of rapid intensification as it approaches the U.S. mainland. As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Helene boasts sustained winds of 40 knots… Read More »Tropical Storm Helene: A Growing Threat to the Gulf Coast
This past weekend marked the official arrival of fall in Colorado, as cooler temperatures and a stormy system swept through the region. While the mountains saw their first significant snowfall of the season, many across the plains experienced a marked… Read More »Fall Is Officially Here: Weekend Storm Recap, Fall Foliage, and Weather Outlook for the Month Ahead
In a dramatic turn of nature’s unpredictability, the Bridge Fire, still raging in the Angeles National Forest, continues to pose a significant threat not just to Southern California but also to distant regions. This wildfire, which ignited on September 8,… Read More »Bridge Fire: Southern California’s Blaze Sends Smoke Across States
Tropical Storm Francine, currently swirling in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast by Wednesday evening, bringing with it a range of tropical hazards. As of the latest advisory, Francine has strengthened, showing signs… Read More »Tropical Storm Francine Approaches Gulf Coast
As summer 2024 nears its end, some parts of Colorado have already experienced their first snowfall. Last night, a cold front brought snow to Pikes Peak, Berthoud Pass, and Rocky Mountain National Park, marking the transition to cooler weather in… Read More »Snowfall Returns to Colorado’s High Peaks: When Will Denver See Its First Snow of the Season?
As we enter meteorological fall, thunderstorms remain a threat across parts of the northern Rockies, Great Basin, and adjacent High Plains. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms in these areas… Read More »Severe Weather Outlook for September 3-4, 2024: Marginal Risks Across Rockies, Plains, and Midwest
Labor Day in Denver, Colorado, serves as a vibrant marker of summer’s end and the approach of fall. Historically, this holiday has showcased a wide range of weather extremes, from scorching heatwaves to cooler autumnal chill. As September 1st, the… Read More »Denver’s Labor Day Weather Extremes and September 2024 Outlook
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have announced the completion of a $150 million, nine-year Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) aimed at modernizing the nation’s weather radar network. This vital upgrade extends the… Read More »NOAA Completes $150 Million Upgrade to NEXRAD Weather Radar Network
As the Pacific hurricane season intensifies, Hawaii is bracing for potential impacts from two tropical systems: Tropical Storm Hone and Hurricane Gilma. These storms are currently churning in the central and eastern Pacific, posing a dual threat to the islands… Read More »Tropical Weather Looms Over the Pacific: Hawaii on Alert for Tropical Storm Hone and Hurricane Gilma
Over the next three days, Colorado is set to experience a variety of severe weather conditions, with the potential for thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding. Wednesday, August 21st: Thunderstorms and Severe Weather A shortwave trough moving through… Read More »Severe Weather Outlook for Colorado: Wednesday, August 21st – Friday, August 23rd, 2024
As the warm waters of the Caribbean churn beneath it, Tropical Storm Ernesto is poised to evolve into a formidable hurricane. Currently, Ernesto is beginning to show signs of gradual organization, with sustained winds of 60 mph and a central… Read More »Tropical Storm Ernesto: A Brewing Monster in the Caribbean
Colorado residents, especially those in the central and eastern parts of the state, should prepare for a continued period of unsettled weather as we move into Monday and Tuesday. The state has already seen two tornado reports in the past… Read More »Severe Weather Threat Looms Over Colorado: Tornadoes, Heavy Rain, and Hail Possible
After enduring a prolonged period of dry lightning and minimal rainfall, Denver is finally experiencing some much-needed precipitation.
In recent days, Colorado has been grappling with a series of wildfires, each causing significant distress to communities within a 75-mile radius of Denver. As of tonight, all four fires have prompted evacuation orders, and tragically, one life has been… Read More »Current Colorado Wildfires: Updates and Impact
As Colorado residents were just beginning to hope for clearer skies, a new wildfire has emerged, casting a smoky haze once more. The Alexander Mountain Fire, a new and rapidly growing wildfire, has ignited just west of Loveland, causing alarm… Read More »Colorado’s Alexander Mountain Fire
Overview As Oregon grapples with one of the most significant wildfire crises in the country, the impact is being felt far beyond its borders. The Durkee Fire, the largest active wildfire in the United States, is contributing to deteriorating air… Read More »Oregon’s Battle Against the Durkee Fire: An Unfolding Crisis Impacting Denver’s Air Quality
As Colorado residents rejoice for some rain, it’s essential to stay informed about the severe storm outlook for tomorrow. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect and how to prepare. Tomorrow’s Outlook (July 16, 2024) Colorado is looking at… Read More »Severe Weather Outlook for Colorado and Surrounding States: Tomorrow
In an era where precise weather forecasting is becoming increasingly vital, innovative technologies are stepping up to fill the gaps left by traditional methods. One such groundbreaking innovation is the deployment of advanced weather drones. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric… Read More »Revolutionizing Weather Forecasting: The Role of Advanced Weather Drones
In an astonishing display of nature’s power, Hurricane Beryl, now a major Category 4 hurricane, has swept into the southeastern Caribbean with unprecedented speed and strength. From a mere tropical depression, Beryl intensified to a Category 4 hurricane in less… Read More »Hurricane Beryl: A Rapid Intensification to Category 4
Overview: Today, portions of Colorado face an enhanced threat of severe thunderstorms, particularly over portions of the central and northern High Plains. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an enhanced risk of severe weather, with the potential for gusts… Read More »Severe Weather Outlook for Colorado: June 27, 2024
Today marks a significant milestone in the advancement of weather observation and space technology with the successful launch of GOES-U, the latest of NOAA’s four advanced geostationary satellites. At precisely 5:26 p.m. EDT, a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carried GOES-U… Read More »GOES-U Launch: A New Era in Weather Observation
Yesterday marked the summer solstice, occurring precisely at 4:51 PM EDT, signaling the official start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Earth’s axial tilt reached its maximum inclination toward the sun, regions north of the Tropic of… Read More »Celebrating the Summer Solstice: June 20, 2024
As hurricane season progresses, eyes are turning to a developing weather system off the coast of Mexico that could impact parts of the United States. Satellite and surface observations indicate a broad area of low pressure over the Bay of… Read More »Tropical Disturbance in Gulf of Mexico May Impact U.S. Coastline
On May 27, 1997, a deadly severe weather episode unfolded across Central Texas, etching itself into the annals of meteorological history. This day is remembered for one of the most powerful and devastating tornadoes ever recorded: an F5 tornado that… Read More »The F5 Jarrell, Texas Tornado of 1997: A Cataclysmic Event
Hail is one of the most fascinating and potentially dangerous forms of precipitation. These solid ice pellets, formed within the tumultuous updrafts of thunderstorms, can cause significant damage to property, vehicles, and even pose a deadly threat to humans and… Read More »Hail: The Ice Giants of the Sky
As the summer of 2024 gets closer, the southwestern United States is experiencing a severe heatwave that has brought record-breaking temperatures and heightened risks for residents. While Colorado has seen some 90 degree days recently, it’s nothing compared to the… Read More »Scorching Heatwave Grips the Southwest
As the sun climbs higher in the Colorado sky and the days grow longer, we experience the beauty of our state’s diverse weather. While hurricanes are not a concern here in the Rockies, the start of the hurricane season is… Read More »2024 Hurricane Season Starts Today
Overview Tomorrow, Colorado is set to face severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds, and the possibility of tornadoes. Here’s what you need to know: Storm Prediction Center (SPC) Outlook Specific Details – Hail: Reports indicate baseball-sized hail… Read More »Severe Weather Alert for Colorado on May 29, 2024
Sixteen years ago, yesterday, on May 22, 2008, the community of Windsor, Colorado experienced one of the most devastating natural disasters in its history. An EF3 tornado, marked by its sheer power and destructiveness, swept through Weld County, leaving a… Read More »Reflecting on the Windsor, CO EF3 Tornado: 16 Years Ago
Coloradans are advised to stay weather-aware as the arrival of severe weather conditions approaches, including the possibility of tornadoes, across northeast Colorado this afternoon and evening. Recent updates indicate a convergence of atmospheric factors conducive to the development of severe… Read More »Severe Weather Advisory: Potential Tornadoes and Severe Thunderstorms Anticipated in Colorado Today
The genesis of Doppler radar can be traced back to the Doppler effect, a phenomenon proposed by Austrian physicist Christian Doppler in 1842. This principle elucidates the variation between the observed frequency and the emitted frequency of a wave for… Read More »The Birth of Doppler Radar
As the nation keeps an eye on weather patterns during the springtime, Colorado finds itself in a familiar position today, with scattered showers and thunderstorms on the agenda. While the state is marked under a marginal risk level for severe… Read More »Marginal Severe Weather Possible
In a notable astronomical event, Colorado witnessed a remarkable display of the Aurora Borealis during the early hours of the morning, a phenomenon not seen at such intensity since 2005. This celestial occurrence, scientifically known as the Aurora Borealis, stems… Read More »Rare Aurora Borealis Event Illuminates Colorado Skies
Tonight, many of us are closely monitoring the development of a severe weather outbreak in the south-central Plains, particularly across central Oklahoma and southeast Kansas [Fig 1 and 2]. All the critical ingredients for a significant severe event are aligning… Read More »Significant Severe Weather Outbreak Threatens South-Central Plains Tonight
Tornadoes are among the most destructive and awe-inspiring forces of nature, capable of unleashing unparalleled devastation in a matter of minutes. Understanding the intensity of these swirling vortexes has been a challenge for meteorologists for decades. Over time, various methods… Read More »From F to EF: Understanding the Evolution of Tornado Rating Scales
A significant tornado outbreak ravaged parts of the central United States from April 26th to April 28th, 2024, leaving a trail of destruction and widespread damage. The outbreak, initiated by a slow-moving yet potent late April storm system, resulted in… Read More »Violent Tornado Outbreak Strikes Central United States
Areas within the Great Plains (including eastern Colorado) are on high alert as severe weather continues to grip the region into tomorrow, with the potential for widespread storms and even tornado activity. Today marked an active day for Colorado with… Read More »Colorado and Surrounding States Brace for an Active Weekend
As the seasons transition and the grip of winter slowly releases its hold, the atmosphere begins to stir with the promise of spring. In Colorado and neighboring regions, this transition often announces itself with the booming arrival of thunderstorms. Tomorrow… Read More »Spring Storms Brewing: A Look at Colorado and Beyond
Colorado, a state known for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse weather patterns, never ceases to amaze its inhabitants and visitors alike. This past weekend, the Centennial State experienced a meteorological rollercoaster that left many scratching their heads in wonder. From… Read More »Deciphering Colorado’s Seasonal Weather Whirlwind: Temperature Turbulence
