Category Archives: Thornton Weather

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, Severe Weather, Thornton Weather

Governor proclaims Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado

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Governor Bill Ritter has proclaimed the week of October 19th through October 25th as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado.
Governor Bill Ritter has proclaimed the week of October 19th through October 25th as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado.

Winter weather in Colorado can be an inconvenience but more than that it can be deadly.  Emergency preparedness for major winter storms – as well as for other types of severe weather – is an important part of living in a state where conditions can change wildly from one moment to the next.  To help raise awareness of the need to be prepared for these occassions, Governor Ritter has proclaimed the week of October 19th to October 25th Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado. 

The National Weather Service will be issuing Public Information Statements each day this week to highlight the dangers of winter weather and how best to be prepared.  ThorntonWeather.com will be posting these notices here in our news section to help you be prepared.  Please take the time to read and heed these messages – your life could depend on it. 

Continue reading Governor proclaims Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado →

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather History

This week in Denver weather history – October 19 to October 25

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October 19th to October 25th - This week in Denver weather history.
October 19th to October 25th - This week in Denver weather history.

Snow and wind seem to dominate a look back at Denver weather history for this week.  Perhaps most notably, the October blizzard of 1997 occurred this week in history, one of the deadliest storms in Colorado history. 

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
645 PM MDT SAT OCT 18 2008

…THIS WEEK IN METRO DENVER WEATHER HISTORY…

17-19 IN 1908…A MOIST…HEAVY…WET SNOWFALL TOTALED 13.0 INCHES IN
        DOWNTOWN DENVER OVER THE 3 DAYS.  RAIN FROM EARLY MORNING
        ON THE 17TH CHANGED TO SNOW BY LATE AFTERNOON AND CONTINUED
        THROUGH THE LATE MORNING OF THE 19TH.  DUE TO TEMPERATURES
        IN THE 30`S AND MELTING…THE MOST SNOW ON THE GROUND WAS
        ONLY 5.0 INCHES AT 6:00 PM ON THE 18TH.  NORTHWEST TO
        NORTHEAST WINDS WERE SUSTAINED BETWEEN 12 AND 20 MPH DURING
        THE STORM.  PRECIPITATION TOTALED 1.82 INCHES.
18-23 IN 2003…AN EXTENDED WARM SPELL RESULTED IN 5 NEW TEMPERATURE
        RECORDS.  THE HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 84 DEGREES ON THE 18TH
        EQUALED THE RECORD HIGH FOR THE DATE.  HIGH TEMPERATURES
        OF 86 DEGREES ON THE 19TH…83 DEGREES ON THE 21ST…AND 84
        DEGREES ON THE 22ND WERE RECORD HIGHS FOR THE DATES.  LOW
        TEMPERATURE OF 49 DEGREES ON THE 23RD WAS A RECORD HIGH
        MINIMUM FOR THE DATE.  LOW TEMPERATURES DURING THE PERIOD
        WERE IN THE 40`S AND LOWER 50`S.

Continue reading This week in Denver weather history – October 19 to October 25 →

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 

Colorado Weather, Thornton Weather, Weather History

October 12th to the 18th – This week in Denver weather history

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October 12th to the 18th - This week in Denver weather history.
October 12th to the 18th - This week in Denver weather history.

Looking back into the Denver weather history books shows Denver can receive just about any kind of weather this time of year.  From heavy snow to gale force winds to 80 plus degree temperatures, it can all happen this week.

10-12 IN 1969…THE SECOND HEAVY SNOWSTORM IN LESS THAN A WEEK
        DUMPED NEARLY A FOOT OF SNOW ACROSS METRO DENVER AND
        PLUNGED THE AREA INTO EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES FOR SO
        EARLY IN THE SEASON.  SNOWFALL TOTALED 11.0 INCHES AT
        STAPLETON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.  NORTH WINDS GUSTING TO
        26 MPH PRODUCED DRIFTS UP TO 2 FEET DEEP.  TEMPERATURES
        DIPPED FROM A HIGH OF 52 DEGREES ON THE 10TH TO A RECORD
        LOW FOR THE DATE OF 10 DEGREES ON THE 12TH.  THERE WAS
        ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO TREES AND POWER AND TELEPHONE LINES
        FROM HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AND ICING.  TRAVEL WAS
        RESTRICTED OR BLOCKED BY DRIFTING SNOW IN BOTH THE
        MOUNTAINS AND ON THE PLAINS EAST OF DENVER.

Continue reading October 12th to the 18th – This week in Denver weather history →

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, Local News, Thornton Weather

Best drives to view the fall foliage

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ThorntonWeather.com's picks for the best drives to view the fall foliage.
ThorntonWeather.com's picks for the best drives to view the fall foliage.

This time of year many folks head to the hills west of Denver in search of gold – fall foliage gold.  This year thanks to the warm and dry weather, the season is running longer and a bit later than normal so this coming weekend looks to be a great one to get out and go for a drive in the mountains.  Where to go?  Below are five of ThorntonWeather.com’s favorite ones near Denver.  After that, we will tell you where you can find a great website that provides regular updates on viewing conditions.

I-70 Corridor – If you’re looking for the easiest route, then this one is for you.  Simply head west on I-70 about 110 miles to Avon.  Between Vail and Avon, both sides of I-70 are lined beautifully with aspen.

Rocky Mountain National Park – One of the most popular summer destinations in the state is of course also a prime spot to view aspen in all their glory.  Once in the park on Trail Ridge Road, head toward Bear Lake.  Glacier Gorge Junction provides a beautiful spot and you of course also get to enjoy all the splendor that Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer. 

Peak to Peak Highway – This little road trip can be a dual purpose trip – gambling and fall foliage viewing!  Take U.S. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon and then 119 through Blackhawk and Central Center.  You can of course stop there if your wallet is fat enough and donate some money to the casinos.  From there continue on 119 toward Nederland.  Take highway 72 toward Ward and Allenspark.  There you will find more golden aspen than you can imagine, all with the Continental Divide nearby.

Poudre Valley Canyon –  Heading north on I-25 take Colorado 14 west and into Poudre Canyon and Roosevelt National Forest.  As you continue west you will come very near timberline as you come to Cameron Pass.  Amazing views abound!

Guanella Pass – This is a nice, relatively short drive from Denver.  From C470 take 85 through Bailey and Conifer, a nice drive unto itself.  When you come to the town of Grant, take the Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway north to Georgetown.  The air is pretty thin along the way as you climb in excess of 11,500 views through the Pike and Arapahoe National Forests.  Fair warning – about 10 miles of the road is gravel but it is well maintained.

So do you think you will try one of these drives?  Or maybe one of the other dozens (hundreds?) that are possible?  Before you go, be sure to check out the U.S. Forest Service’s Fall Colors website!  It provides weekly updates on viewing conditions throughout the Rocky Mountain region and is a great resource to plan your trip.  The site is usually updated once a week on Fridays.  Click here to view the Rocky Mountain Region 2008 Fall Color Report.

For more information: