A Preview of Denver's November Weather - Will it be a Fall Month or a Winter Month?
A preview of Denver’s November weather – Will it be a fall month or a winter month? Typically November is a quiet weather month with plenty of nice, fall days but it can also turn wet with plenty of snow and moisture. Just like Forest Gump’s proverbial box of chocolates, you never quite know what you are going to get.
Looking into the weather history books, we see that November is actually Denver’s second snowiest month, second only to March (April is third). Historically we average 10.7 inches of snow during the month.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
