Category Archives: Colorado Weather

Colorado Weather, Severe Weather, Thornton Weather

Another chance at storm spotter training in the north area

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Do these clouds have the potential to bring a tornado? Learn more at National Weather Service storm spotter training.
Do these clouds have the potential to bring a tornado? Learn more at National Weather Service storm spotter training.

We have written before about the great opportunity the National Weather Service provides by giving storm spotter training during the start of the severe weather season.  Normally these sessions are held in the spring but in response to the very active severe weather of early June, and the increased interest in severe thunderstorms, the National Weather Service in Boulder has added to additional spotter training session next week. 

  • When:  Saturday, July 11
  • Time: 10:00am
  • Where: Broomfield, CO.
  • Exact location: Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Terminal Building, 11755 Airport Way (formerly Jefferson County Airport)
  • For more information: robert.glancy@noaa.gov

The storm spotter program is a nationwide program with more than 280,000 trained spotters.  These volunteers report weather hazards to their local National Weather Service office providing vital information when severe strikes.  Data from spotters include severe wind, rain, snow measurements, thunderstorms and hail and of course tornadoes. 

Don’t think tornadoes can hit Thornton?  Click here for a look back at the June 3, 1981 twister that hit the city!

Storm spotters are part of the ranks of citizens who form the Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that their efforts have given communities the precious gift of time–seconds and minutes that can help save lives.

By completing one of these training classes you can become an official storm spotter.  When severe weather strikes, you can report it by calling a special toll free number or submit your report via the National Weather Service’s website. 

Taking the training though doesn’t obligate you to being a storm spotter.  These are great sessions for anyone wanting to learn more about the severe weather we experience in Colorado, whether you want to be an official spotter or not.  All training is free.  Topics include:

  • Basics of thunderstorm development
  • Fundamentals of storm structure
  • Identifying potential severe weather features
  • Information to report
  • How to report information
  • Basic severe weather safety

To learn more about the program, see here:  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bou/awebphp/spotter.php

Climatology, Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

June 28 to July 4 – This week in Denver weather history

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June 28 to July 4 - This week in Denver weather history
June 28 to July 4 - This week in Denver weather history

As always, an interesting week in Denver and Thornton weather history.  Various severe weather items are noteworthy, none more so than on July 2, 2006 when a teenager wearing an iPod was struck with lightning.  The music player actually contributed to the teen’s injuries by providing a direct route for the electricity into the victim’s head via the headphones.

From the National Weather Service:

21-3 

In 2002…the maximum temperature in Denver equaled or exceeded 90 degrees for 13 consecutive days…equaling the 5th longest such streak on record.  The record of 18 consecutive days was set during the summer of 1901.

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In 1873…there was a great deal of smoke over the city from forest fires in the mountains.
 
In 1875…smoke from forest fires in the foothills south of Denver were visible from the city.
 
In 1913…an apparent dry microburst produced southwest winds sustained to 44 mph with gusts to 48 mph in the city.
 
In 1925…a thunderstorm produced north winds sustained to 38 mph with gusts to 44 mph.
 
In 1958…a microburst caused a brief wind gust to 58 mph at Stapleton Airport.
 
In 1964…lightning struck several homes in metro Denver… Sparking fires.  Some flooding occurred in the stockyards area…at West 45th Avenue and St. Paul Street…and along Harvard Gulch.
 
In 1997…strong microburst winds of unknown speed downed several trees…signs…and at least one light pole in the Fort Lupton area.  Two trees knocked over by the storm downed power lines causing scattered outages.
 
In 2002…a thunderstorm wind gust to 60 mph was recorded in Parker.
 
In 2005…severe thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 66 mph near Longmont and to 60 mph near Niwot.  No damage was reported.  A thunderstorm produced a wind gust to 55 mph at Denver International Airport during the afternoon.

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In 1874…eight different fires in mountain forests were visible from the city.  All of the fires were extensive… And the volume of smoke from each was immense.  Three of these fires had been burning from the 18th with varied intensity.
 
Continue reading June 28 to July 4 – This week in Denver weather history →

Colorado Weather

Windsor marks one year anniversary of EF3 tornado

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The town of Windsor, Colorado was forever changed when an EF3 tornado ripped through it one year ago today.
The town of Windsor, Colorado was forever changed when an EF3 tornado ripped through it one year ago today.

May 22, 2008 was like most any spring day along the Colorado Front Range.  The morning started out a bit warmer than usual and it was more humid but there was nothing to indicate the havoc that was soon to be visited upon Windsor, Colorado.

As the morning wore on, high above the plains the jet stream was moving at 120 mph and temperatures were warming quickly.  From Denver looking north huge clouds began to build miles into the sky – an ominous sign of what was to come.  A supercell thunderstorm, one more like what you expect to see in Oklahoma, was forming quickly.

At 11:30am the warnings were going out from the National Weather Service.  This was not your typical thunderstorm.  Soon a Gilcrest police officer radioed, “We have a tornado on the ground!”

Three tornadoes touched down that morning in northern Colorado but one stands out.  The supercell that was near Windsor was growing in size and the twister that developed was massive – ¾ of a mile wide.  Rated by the National Weather Service as an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale with winds in excess of 136 mph, what was described as a “big, black monster” would tear a path 35 miles long.

For the rest of this story including video and a photo slideshow, please visit Examiner.com.

Colorado Weather, Severe Weather

Rare tornado touches down in Mesa County

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A tornado touched down in Mesa County on Tuesday - only the ninth twister since 1950 in the county. (File photo)
A tornado touched down in Mesa County on Tuesday - only the ninth twister since 1950 in the county. (File photo)

Mesa County, Colorado reported a rare tornado on Tuesday afternoon.  The National Weather Service in Grand Junction reports that the twister touched down in an open area around 3:25pm yesterday near Mount Garfield (map). 

The Associated Press reported that Meteorologist Jeff Colton said a National Weather Service employee was in the area and saw it happen. No damage or injuries were reported.

This was only the ninth tornado recorded in Mesa County since 1950 and the first since August 2, 2005. 

For more information:  Click here to view a history of tornadoes in Mesa County.

Colorado Weather, National Weather, Natural Disasters

The weather and the spread of the swine flu – Will it help or hurt?

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In the United States, the winter is generally considered ‘flu season’ and is when we see it most widespread.  With the threat of a potential swine flu epidemic, analysts are trying to determine if the weather will play any factor in the spread of the virus.

The flu is spread through contact with an infected person or pig, typically through coughing or sneezing.  In the winter, when most people in temperate regions like the United States are spending time indoors in closed environments and in close quarters with those that are infected, it is thought that the flu can be transmitted easier.  The water droplets containing the virus are slower to evaporate in cooler weather thus remaining airborne for longer periods of time and increasing chances of others becoming infected.

Outbreaks can and do occur in the tropics however research indicates they occur with less frequency in places that do not have the seasonality that other areas do.  Limited laboratory and health data from regions like Africa and Latin America have made it more difficult to track the spread of viruses and thus learn from it.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Monday that it hoped drier and warmer weather would help stifle the effects of the swine flu.  The organization is asking health authorities to work with weather services to assess the role of weather and the climate in the outbreak as this is an aspect that is not fully known.  WMO spokeswoman Gaelle Sevenier said , “The transmission patterns of this particular influenza and its possible seasonality are as yet not adequately understood and are the subject of ongoing investigations.”

Get the rest of the details on this story and how that family summer vacation could help spread the virus on Examiner.com.

For all the details, read the rest of this story on our Denver Weather Examiner page. Examiner.com - Get inside Denver weather 
Colorado Weather, Severe Weather

Colorado Severe Weather Awareness Week highlights weather dangers in the state

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Last year's Windsor tornado highlighted just how dangerous weather in Colorado can be. Are you and your family prepared?
Last year's Windsor tornado highlighted just how dangerous weather in Colorado can be. Are you and your family prepared?

As is customary, the governor has declared this week Severe Weather Awareness Week.  This is an opportunity for the public to get reacquanted with the dangers severe weather presents in Colorado. 

Tornadoes, lightning, hail, severe wind and flooding are very real hazards that Coloradoans face every year during severe weather season.  It is important that you know what to do to protect you and your family. 

In conjunction with the National Weather Service, Examiner.com will be publishing our Severe Weather 101 series.  Each day this week a weather hazard will be discussed in depth and we will outline protective measures you can take to keep yourself and your family safe.  Please be sure to check back every day to read these important message.

From the National Weather Service: 

Thunderstorm hazards around the corner…are you prepared?

Severe thunderstorm season will be soon upon us.  Do you know how to stay safe around tornadoes, flash floods, lightning, hail, and damaging winds?  This is the week to learn.  This week, April 19th to 25th, is Colorado severe weather awareness week.   This is the time to learn more about severe weather in Colorado, develop severe weather preparedness plans, and test vital communications.

Can we learn lessons from the past severe weather events?  Just last year on may 22nd an EF3 tornado raced north through Weld and Larimer counties resulting in one fatality.  Several injuries and destroyed or heavily damaged hundreds of homes.  Two years ago, on March 28, 2007 the town of Holly was heavily damaged by another EF3 tornado that resulted in two fatalities.  Twelve years ago on July 28, 1997 a devastating flash flood occurred in Fort Collins resulting in 5 fatalities and millions of dollars in damage.

Each year for the past 20 years there have been an average of 50 tornadoes in Colorado, 3 people killed by lightning and another 15 injured by lightning.  

The National Weather Service offices which cover Colorado will issue a series of public information statements during the week covering the following topics:

  • Monday…Watches and warnings
  • Tuesday… Tornadoes and tornado safety
  • Wednesday…Flash floods and flash flood safety
  • Thursday…Downburst wind and hail
  • Friday…Lightning and lightning safety
  • Saturday…A review of the week

A time to test your warning reception and communications systems is planned.  Each national weather service office serving Colorado will send test tornado warnings on Tuesday April 21 between the hours of 8 am MDT and 11 am MDT.  These test warnings will be sent to the emergency alert system, the internet, NOAA weather radio and law enforcement communications systems. 

Safety information, watches, warnings, forecasts, past weather and much more information is available at your local National Weather Service web sites:

     www.weather.gov/denver      NWS Denver web site
     www.weather.gov/pueblo      NWS Pueblo web site
     www.weather.gov/goodland    NWS Goodland web site
     www.weather.gov/gjt         NWS Grand Junction web site


Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

Four weather records broken in recent days

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Sunny skies on Wednesday, March 4th helped Denver break a 137 year old high temperature record.
Sunny skies on Wednesday, March 4th helped Denver break a 137 year old high temperature record.

Denver officially broke the high temperature record on Wednesday, March 4th.  At 12:40pm the temperature at Denver International Airport reached 76 degrees, breaking the old record of 74 degrees set in 1872.  

This marks the 4th weather record we have broken in just the week. In addition to Wednesday’s mark, we have had:

We are very dry right now and could really use some significant precipitation as snowfall totals are less than half of what they normally are by this time of year.  Is there hope?  We remember back to 2003 when we were in a similar dry condition and two major storms helped to turn things around.  Click here to read about that on Examiner.com.

Are these really records and is it fair to compare these measurements with historical data?  Check out our Examiner.com investigation to see why some say these records should have an asterisk attached to them. 

Climatology, Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

Do Denver weather and climate records have an asterisk attached?

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The old Stapleton International Airport site and Denver International Airport are separated by 12 miles. Is it accurate tto compare weather between the two locations?
The old Stapleton International Airport site and Denver International Airport are separated by 12 miles. Is it accurate to compare weather between the two locations?

February 2009 is Denver’s least snowiest February on record.  A new record high temperature is recorded on January 21, 2009.  Record low temperatures are recorded on December 14th and 15th of last year. 

These announcements are common and we all take notice when we hear them and they make for great water cooler chat topics but are these claims accurate? 

In 1995 Denver finally opened its new airport, Denver International Airport, out on the plains east of the city.  This new facility, 12 miles as the crow flies northeast of the old Stapleton International Airport, moved the airport from an urban environment to a rural one and more than 19 miles from the center of Denver.  Following that move, the National Weather Service (NWS) began taking some of its official measurements at the glistening new airport.  In doing so, some say Denver’s climate records have forever been altered and as such any weather record should have an asterisk attached to it. 

On Examiner.com we have launched a three part investigative series on this topic.  It is a fascinating read – click here to read the rest of the story.

For all the details, read the rest of this story on our Denver Weather Examiner page. Examiner.com - Get inside Denver weather
Climatology, Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

Denver and Thornton’s March 2009 climatological preview

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Denver and Thornton's March 2009 climatological preview
Denver and Thornton's March 2009 climatological preview

March in Denver typically means frequent and rapid weather changes. The days grow longer and we start enjoying more sunshine and sometimes summer-like weather. However, on occasion arctic air masses can still force their way south into Colorado dropping temperatures quickly and markedly.

These changes are due to Marches “in between” status – elements during the month have much in common with winter and spring. In addition to arctic fronts, Pacific storms frequently move across Colorado from the west and warm moist air streams up from the Gulf of Mexico northeastward into the state. When these cold fronts collide with the warmer air masses the result can be some crazy weather.

Get all the details in our March 2009 climatological preview here.

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather

The weather is nice but what Denver needs is moisture

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The Denver weather has been nice but we are extremely dry and in need of some moisture.
The Denver weather has been nice but we are extremely dry and in need of some moisture.

This week we have had some extraordinarily nice weather and it has been great.  The mountains are certainly having a great year for snow with all of the major basins exceeding 100% of average for snowpack.  However, here along the Front Range and the plains, we are bone dry and well below normal for snowfall. 

As of today, Denver has received only half of its normal amount of snow for this point in the snow season which runs from July through June.  By the first of February, we normally should have received 33.3 inches.  To date for the 2008 – 2009 season we have received a mere 16.9 inches of snow as measured at Denver International Airport.  Closer to the central part of the city, Stapleton has been even drier with only 13.1 inches of the white stuff to date. 

For a complete look at how bleak the moisture has been along the Front Range, check out the details in our Examiner.com story.

For all the details, read the rest of this story on our Denver Weather Examiner page. Examiner.com - Get inside Denver weather