Category Archives: Weather Education

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather Education

Winter Weather Preparedness Week recap

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Winter Weather Preparedness Week recap.
Winter Weather Preparedness Week recap.

As we have talked about this week, winter weather can be dangerous and downright deadly.  However, being prepared helps to ensure that you and your family remain safe when the snow starts to fly or other winter weather conditions occur.  It is very easy to ignore the dangers of weather – no matter the season – and find yourself saying, “I wish I would have….” Now is the time to think about how you can prepare for these conditions, before it is too late and you find yourself wishing you had. 

In this sixth and final message in a series on Winter Weather Preparedness from the National Weather Service, ThorntonWeather.com reviews the topics we covered this week and directs you to the previous articles and other resources to help you get ready.

Part 1 Winter travel safety
Part 2 Watches…warnings…and advisories
Part 3 High winds
Part 4 Wind chill temperatures and hypothermia
Part 5  Avalanche safety
Review  Winter Weather Preparedness Week review

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
600 AM MDT SAT OCT 25 2008

Enjoy the great outdoors in Colorado this winter season, but watch the weather.

The National Weather Service issues a variety of winter weather, outlooks, watches, warnings, and advisories, covered earlier during this Winter Weather Preparedness Week.  Safety tips were also passed along.

An example of severe winter weather occurred in March 2003 across the eastern foothills, adjacent plains, and mountains. Snowfall amounts ranged from 80 to 110 inches, along with strong winds in some areas.  The Denver metro area averaged nearly three feet of snow.  The storm was well forecast, and people, for the most part, heeded the warnings, so casualties and impacts were mitigated.

Continue reading Winter Weather Preparedness Week recap →

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather Education

Avalanche safety – Be prepared or die

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Avalanches in Colorado claim an average of six lives per year. Be prepared!
Avalanches in Colorado claim an average of six lives per year. Be prepared!

As snow starts to fall, many Coloradoans and out of state visitors will take advantage of it and head to the mountains for a variety of outdoor activities.  Whether skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking, anyone who spends time outdoors in the high country needs to be aware of the danger avalanches present.  On average six people die in Colorado every year from avalanches and being prepared is an essential survival skill. 

In this fifth in a series on Winter Weather Preparedness from the National Weather Service, ThorntonWeather.com helps you understand avalanches, where they occur, how to protect yourself and where to go for more information.

Part 1 Winter travel safety
Part 2 Watches…warnings…and advisories
Part 3 High winds
Part 4 Wind chill temperatures and hypothermia
Part 5  Avalanche safety
Review  Winter Weather Preparedness Week review

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
600 AM MDT FRI OCT 24 2008

Avalanches – Are you prepared?

Thousands of avalanches occur each winter in the mountains of Colorado.  With the enormous popularity of winter sports in Colorado, this poses a risk to skiers, snowboarders, hikers and snowmobilers.  On average 6 people die in avalanches in the state of Colorado every year.  Anyone who travels into the high country in the winter should be prepared for avalanches and know how to avoid them. 

The first thing to know is most avalanches occur during or just after snowstorms and most occur on a slope of 30 to 45 degrees. A significant snowfall may result in an unstable snowpack.  By waiting 36 hours after a big snowstorm you may allow the snow to become more stable.  If you stay in valleys away from avalanche chutes, in stands of dense trees, or on gentle slopes you can minimize your avalanche risk.   

Continue reading Avalanche safety – Be prepared or die →

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather Education

Life threatening winter weather – Wind chill, frostbite and hypothermia

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Wind chill, frostbite and hypothermia are very real dangers in the winter.
Wind chill, frostbite and hypothermia are very real dangers in the winter.

Winter weather can not only be trying on the mind and soul, it also presents very real dangers to the human body.  Extreme wind chills can be deadly and bring on the outset of frostbite and hypothermia.  Here in Colorado, all residents should be aware of these hazards and be prepared to deal with them. 

In this fourth in a series on Winter Weather Preparedness from the National Weather Service, ThorntonWeather.com helps you understand wind chill and how to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia.  

Part 1 Winter travel safety
Part 2 Watches…warnings…and advisories
Part 3 High winds
Part 4 Wind chill temperatures and hypothermia
Part 5  Avalanche safety
Review  Winter Weather Preparedness Week review

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS 600 AM MDT THU OCT 23 2008

Extreme wind chill – Potentially life-threatening and often overlooked

The combination of wind and cold temperatures in winter can be deadly.  Winter storms often bring heavy snow to Colorado which results in slick roadways, traffic accidents and stranded travelers.  While the attention of most people is focused on expected snow accumulation before a storm arrives, many ignore the life threatening combination of extreme cold and strong wind which often develops after the storm passes.  Wind chill is a measure of heat loss from the body due to wind and cold air.  Frostbite and hypothermia are two consequences of wind chill.  All three will be discussed today as part of Colorado Winter Weather Preparedness Week.

Continue reading Life threatening winter weather – Wind chill, frostbite and hypothermia →

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather Education

High winds a major threat in Colorado during the winter

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Winds in the winter can be one of the most frustrating and dangerous weather conditions. What causes them and how can you protect yourself?
Winds in the winter can be one of the most frustrating and dangerous weather conditions. What causes them and how can you protect yourself?

As we have experienced in the last 24 hours or so, high winds in Colorado can cause conditions to deteriorate rapidly.  They present a very real danger to life and property, especially when coupled with other winter conditions like snow.  Why does it seem like we get so much wind in the winter?  What causes this?  How can you prepare and protect yourself and your property? 

In this third in a series on Winter Weather Preparedness from the National Weather Service, ThorntonWeather.com helps you understand why we receive so much wind and how to prepare for it. 

Part 1 Winter travel safety
Part 2 Watches…warnings…and advisories
Part 3 High winds
Part 4 Wind chill temperatures and hypothermia
Part 5  Avalanche safety
Review  Winter Weather Preparedness Week review

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
ISSUED BY NWS PUEBLO CO
600 AM MDT WED OCT 22 2008

HIGH WINDS ARE A MAJOR THREAT IN COLORADO DURING THE WINTER

Governor Bill Ritter has proclaimed this week through October 25th as winter weather preparedness week in Colorado.  This is an excellent time for all individuals, families, businesses, schools, and radio and television stations to review their winter weather preparedness plans.

Two main causes of high winds in Colorado during the cold season are the air pressure difference between strong low pressure and cold high pressure systems, and Chinook winds developing along the front range and mountains in the eastern half of the state.

Continue reading High winds a major threat in Colorado during the winter →

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather Education

What does that weather warning mean?

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What does that warning mean? Knowing what the various advisories mean is important part of winter weather preparedness.
What does that warning mean? Knowing what the various advisories mean is important part of winter weather preparedness.

We all are familiar with the crawls on the TV screen or the announcements on the radio for winter weather advisories such as Winter Storm Watch, Blizzard Warning, Freeze Warning and more.  But, how many of us really know what those mean?  There is very specific criteria the National Weather Service follows in issuing these watches and warnings and there are important differences between all of them. 

In this second in a series on Winter Weather Preparedness from the National Weather Service, ThorntonWeather.com helps you understand what all of these mean so you can be better prepared. 

Part 1 Winter travel safety
Part 2 Watches…warnings…and advisories
Part 3 High winds
Part 4 Wind chill temperatures and hypothermia
Part 5  Avalanche safety
Review  Winter Weather Preparedness Week review

From the National Weather Service:

What does that warning mean?

The National Weather Service will inform you about critical weather with outlooks, watches, warnings and advisories.  Do you know what they mean?  Now is the time to find out during this Colorado winter preparedness week.

This list has the watch, warning and advisory criteria for Colorado east of the continental divide.  Save this list throughout the winter. 

Continue reading What does that weather warning mean? →

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather Education

Winter travel safety – Ensure you and your vehicle are ready

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The Holiday Blizzard of 2006 highlighted the need for winter travel preparation.
The Holiday Blizzard of 2006 highlighted the need for winter travel preparation.

ThorntonWeather.com presents the first in a series from the National Weather Service (NWS) on Winter Weather Preparedness.  Before hitting the road, Coloradoans need to ensure that they and their vehicles are prepared should inclement weather strike. 

Today’s message from the NWS and ThorntonWeather.com highlights the importance of having a proper emergency kit in your vehicle and should the worst-case scenario occur where you get stuck, what you should do to survive. 

Part 1 Winter travel safety
Part 2 Watches…warnings…and advisories
Part 3 High winds
Part 4 Wind chill temperatures and hypothermia
Part 5  Avalanche safety
Review  Winter Weather Preparedness Week review

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 600 AM MDT Mon Oct 20 2008

Winter Travel Safety

Winter Weather Preparedness Week continues through Saturday, October 25 as proclaimed by Governor Bill Ritter. Before winter weather arrives in earnest it is highly recommended that you prepare your car or truck for winter travel.

Continue reading Winter travel safety – Ensure you and your vehicle are ready →

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather Education

Super Science Saturday at NCAR on October 25th

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The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder will host Super Science Saturday on October 25th.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder will host Super Science Saturday on October 25th.

I just read about this on channel 7’s website.  Super Science Saturday is an annual event held at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder that gives teachers, students and families a chance to get up close and personal with the weather experts.  From the NCAR website:

Every October NCAR hosts Super Science Saturday. This free public event for students, teachers, and families combines science education with Halloween fun from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This year on October 25, visit Super Science Saturday and see NCAR scientists starring in live demonstrations, participate in hands-on activity tables, and take part in special science workshops.

This is a great opportunity and a lot of fun!  This year the event is on October 25th from 10:00am to 4:00pm at NCAR in Boulder.  More information including photos from previous years’ event can be found here:

NCAR’s Super Science Saturday

Information from Channel 7 

Severe Weather, Weather Education

Do certain weather conditions scare you?

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Scared of the weather? Maybe you have a weather phobia!
Scared of the weather? Maybe you have a weather phobia!

As recently reported in the Washington Times, if you find yourself suffering anxiety or fear from hurricanes, tornadoes or other weather phenomena, you are not alone. 

In 2006 researches at the University of Iowa surveyed 139 adults.  Of those more than half felt panicked by big storms and only a quarter felt no fears at all about the weather.  During severe weather season it is not unusual to be quite concerned and touched by a bit of fear when you live in an area that is in danger such as along the Gulf Coast during hurricane season or closer to home here in Colorado when a tornado warning is issued.  Most anyone would experience anxiety over an approaching storm that threatens to damage life and property. 

Certainly one can help limit stress about severe weather by being knowledgeable about the type of weather and by extension, remaining calm.  Oftentimes fear is caused by the unknown and if you are more aware and learned on the topic, you are more able to deal with the stress.  Further, a bit of fear can help you survive a situation simply because you are more in tune and aware of what is going on. 

A true phobia though is by definition, “an uncontrollable, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.”  Professional help of course is most likely the best way to deal with phobias.  We have all heard about extremely odd phobia such as the fear of drinking (Dipsophobia) or the fear of lice (Phthiriophobia).  As it turns out there is an entire range of phobias specifically related to weather as well. Davis Weather Instruments recently compiled a list of some of the weather-related phobias including:

  • Ancraophobia or Anemophobia – Fear of wind
  • Astraphobia, Astrapophobia, Ceraunophobia, Keraunophobia – Fear of thunder and lightning
  • Auroraphobia- Fear of Northern lights
  • Chionophobia- Fear of snow
  • Frigophobia, Cheimaphobia, Cheimatophobia, Psychrophobia – Fear of cold or cold things
  • Homichlophobia or Nebulaphobia – Fear of fog
  • Lilapsophobia – Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes
  • Ombrophobia or Pluviophobia – Fear of rain or of being rained on
  • Pagophobia- Fear of ice or frost
  • Phengophobia- Fear of daylight or sunshine
  • Tonitrophobia- Fear of thunder

For more information:  Washington Times – Storms brewing in our heads

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather Education

Book review: The Colorado Weather Alamanac by Mike Nelson

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The Colorado Weather Almanac by Mike Nelson. Simply the best Colorado weather book out there.
The Colorado Weather Almanac by Mike Nelson. Simply the best Colorado weather book out there.

The Colorado Weather Almanac came out last year and I have added this to my short list of “must read” books for anyone interested in weather, particularly for those in Colorado.  Everyone here in Colorado is well aware of the author, Mike Nelson, 7News’ chief meteorologist, and he does an extraordinary job covering the entire gamut of weather conditions we receive here.

The best part of the book is described in one of the words in the title – Colorado.  This is all about our weather.  It starts out with what is probably in my opinion the single most interesting section, Colorado climate.  Mr. Nelson explains all the ins and outs of how our topography and our geography greatly impact the weather we have and why weather varies so greatly over short distances, even within the confines of the metro area and Front Range.

There is of course discussion about standard weather terms we all have heard such as dew point, pressure, fronts, El Nino, La Nina and on and on.  The key though is that the book ties all of this into Colorado and how these things directly impact us.  Other terms associated with our weather like upslope, downslope, Chinook and more are also covered; things that we hear on the news every day but may not fully understand.

Continue reading Book review: The Colorado Weather Alamanac by Mike Nelson →

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather Education

What are those zones?

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National Weather ServiceRecently we were asked what are the “zones” that the National Weather Service uses and what is their purpose. This is a very good question.

The National Weather Service in Boulder breaks down Colorado (and other states) into various zones for use when issuing forecasts, watches, warnings, etc. If you look at the text of these, you will see something like this:

SHORT TERM FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1125 AM MDT MON JUL 07 2008

COZ040-041-043-045-071930-

Notice the part in bold. That tells you which zones are affected by the warning – in this case, the CO of course means Colorado.  The “Z” part tells you zones 40, 41, 43 and 45 are affected. So what zone do you live in? In general, if you are in the Denver metro area, you are in either zone 39 or zone 40. You can click here for a PDF map of all Colorado zones.