Mike's Weather Blog -- October 2006

October 31, 2006 - Winter Weather Awareness Week

The National Weather Service has a variety of winter weather products they issue, including everything from a winter storm warning to an ice storm warning. Today we'll review a few of the more common items you often see in Colorado.

Winter Storm Watch -- means winter storm conditions are likely within the next one to two days, but timing, occurrence and strength are uncertain, so you need to watch the forecast for further developments

Winter Storm Warning -- issued when heavy snow is occurring or will develop within 24 hours with winds greater than 17 MPH

Blizzard Watch -- issued when blizzard conditions are possible in the next 12 to 18 hours

Blizzard Warning -- issued with snow is falling with sustained winds of at least 35 MPH, or if visibility is lowered to less than 1/4 mile during a storm

High Wind Watch -- issued when strong and damaging winds are possible in the next 12 to 36 hours, as always, a watch means to watch the forecast and stay tuned

High Wind Warning -- issued when sustained winds of 50 MPH or gusts of 70 MPH will be experienced for at least one hour

Freeze Warning -- issued when widespread temperatures below freezing are expected for several hours, putting an end to the growing season

Winter Weather Advisory -- issued when a variety of precipitation is expected that will slow travel, including snow, sleet, or freezing rain with light to moderate accumulations

Snow Advisory -- issued when snow accumulations are expected to reach 4 to 8 inches during a 12 hour period in the mountains, and 3 to 6 inches in a 12 hour period at lower elevations

Heavy Snow Warning -- generally means 8 inches of snow or more in a 12 hour period for the mountains, 6 inches or more across lower elevations in a 12 hours period. For a 24 hour period, accumulations in the mountains would top 12 inches, and lower elevations would top 8 inches

October 30, 2006 - Chilly Halloween In Store

A strong cold front will move through this afternoon, bringing much colder temperatures, snow flurries, and gusty wind.

As of late morning, winds across much of Wyoming were sustained between 20 and 40 mph, gusting to near 60. Temperatures ranged from the upper teens in northern Wyoming to the lower 30s in Cheyenne.

Tonight lows will drop into the teens and 20s nearly statewide, with highs for Halloween only reaching the upper 30s and lower 40s for many, including the Denver area.

By trick-or-treat time tomorrow, temperatures will only be in the upper 20s and lower 30s.

October 29, 2006 - Cold Front Advancing Toward Colorado

A cold front is on the move toward Colorado, bringing much cooler temperatures. As early as tonight we should see an increase in clouds and wind ahead of the front.

The front will pass through sometime on Monday with temperatures falling into the 30s by late Monday evening. A few rain and snow showers are possible overnight and during the day Tuesday.

It looks like it will be a chilly Halloween with highs only in the 40s, and temperatures near freezing during trick-or-treat time.

October 28, 2006 - Today Is Colorado Astronomy Day

It's Colorado Astronomy Day 2006, a day full of public education for those with an interest in astronomy.

There are numerous activities taking place that will allow you to do things like safe solar viewing of sun spots. There are also several presentations and lectures, as well as nighttime observing at the Chamberlin Observatory.

If you are an astronomy buff, you won't want to miss out on the fun today! For additional information, click this link.

October 27, 2006 - Let The Melting Begin

The next few days will be a bit on the sloppy side as the big melt takes place, especially in areas that saw a foot or more of snow on Thursday.

By Sunday, it will be great car wash weather to clean all the mess off your vehicles.

Yesterday's storm system is now well east of us, bringing wet and unsettled weather to the lower Mississippi River Valley.

October 26, 2006, 6:30 am - Winter Storm Affecting Colorado

We continue to see snow falling across the metro area with city-wide reports of 1 to 6 inches with the heavier amounts in the western and southern suburbs. We've had a total of 20 school closing thus far this morning, mainly in the eastern and western portions of the region. Roads around the area are mainly wet with a few areas of ponding. Visibilities are low due to the big, heavy flakes. Commutes from Fort Collins into Denver have been reported at up to 90 minutes and are expected to get worse.

Stay with 7News through the morning for all the latest on this winter storm!

October 26, 2006 - Winter Storm Affecting Colorado

Travel hazards exist statewide today, ranging from heavy snow in the mountains to gale force wind on the eastern plains. In between there will be a little bit of everything.

Numerous advisories are in effect for the state as a winter storm intensifies. The worst of the storm will hit before the noon hour, with a rapid clearing as we head into Friday morning.

Stay with 7NEWS and TheDenverChannel.com for all the latest.

October 25, 2006 - Big Changes Next 24 Hours

A cold front moving in from the north, moisture flowing in from the south, and a developing area of low pressure will join forces tonight into Thursday to produce a potentially potent winter storm over eastern Colorado.

Numerous advisories and watches are in effect, including a Winter Storm Watch for Denver.

Stay with 7NEWS for the latest forecast information today.

October 24, 2006 - Fantastic Tuesday Forecast

Today will be beautiful with sunny skies, light wind and comfortable temperatures. Make the most of it by going outside during your lunch and enjoying the fresh air.

A slight bump in the forecast road will come our way Wednesday into Thursday as a fast-moving cold front enters the picture. That will increase the cloud cover and drop temperatures back into the 50s.

October 22, 2006 - Super Science Saturday Sees Record Crowd

A big thanks to the thousands who attended Super Science Saturday in Boulder on Saturday. Over 4,500 people attended the science fair.

The 24/7 Weather Experience was busy with nearly 1,000 Jr. Meteorologists trying their hand at reporting on Colorado's weather.

There were dozens of additional hands-on experiments, Halloween candy and costumes, as well as face painting.

October 21, 2006 - Today Is Super Science Saturday

Super Science Saturday is today, a day full of Halloween fun and science.

The event is located at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder -- at the Table Mesa lab. For more information, including a map, just click on Weather News in the navigation bar on the left of this page.

If you are heading up to Boulder, bundle up! It is going to be cold in the wake of a cold front that moved through over the past 24 hours.

The chilly weather will stick with us through Sunday before a warming trend arrives as you head back to work and school.

October 20, 2006 - Winter Storm Moving Into Colorado

Another storm system is moving into Colorado with wind, cold and snow. The mountains will take the brunt where up to 18 inches of new snow is possible in the northern and central ranges.

Denver and locations along the I-25 Urban Corridor could see a few inches fall overnight, much like we saw Tuesday evening.

October 19, 2006 - Warm Before The Next Storm

What snow remains across Denver and the lower elevations will melt today and tomorrow as we recover from the midweek chill. In the higher terrain where the snow is deeper, there will be some melting too.

However, a new storm system is en route to Colorado and will bring more winter-like weather heading into the weekend.

By Saturday highs will be much like they were on Wednesday, struggling to reach 40 degrees. There will also be a chance for scattered rain and snow showers.

October 18, 2006 - It's World Water Monitoring Day

Today is World Water Monitoring Day, a global education and public outreach event designed to protect and preserve watersheds.

Participation is inexpensive, easy, and can provide pertinent information about your watershed by reporting the four main parameters of water quality – temperature, acidity (pH), clarity (turbidity), and dissolved oxygen (DO).

To learn more, just go to our Colorado's Water website by clicking clicking here.

October 17, 2006 - Season's First Widespread Winter Storm Looming

The first widespread winter storm of the season will affect Colorado over the next 24 hours, dropping up to 16 inches of snow in the north-central mountains.

Just west of Denver the foothills are bracing for up to a foot of heavy, wet snow. Numerous weather advisories have been posted.

The city of Denver and the eastern plains may see the first accumulating snow of the season with up to 4 inches possible on the grassy surfaces by Wednesday morning. Amounts could be higher over the Palmer Divide south and east of Denver, where a winter weather advisory could be posted later today.

In eastern Utah and extreme western Colorado, a flood watch was issued for up to 2 inches of rain with this system.

October 16, 2006 - Big Changes Coming In Next 24 Hours

Enjoy the warm weather today, because it will be some 30 degrees colder by Wednesday afternoon.

A strong cold front is on the move along with an upper-level disturbance currently over the Pacific Northwest. The two will combine forces to bring a taste of winter back into Colorado for the middle of the week.

Snow will start flying as early as tonight in the mountains. Snow is also in the forecast for the foothills and eastern plains.

Stay with 7NEWS and we'll have the latest information for you.

October 14, 2006 - Record Snow Falls Over Western New York

Buffalo, New York is known for getting heavy snow, but not this early in the season.

The city picked up its sixth heaviest 24-hour snowfall Thursday into Friday, measuring nearly 24 inches of the white stuff.

The heavy wet snow downed numerous trees and powerlines, and was blamed on at least 3 deaths.

October 11, 2006 - Indian Summer Days Ahead

A fine fall forecast lies ahead with mostly sunny skies the dominant weather feature and highs expected to be in the 60s and lower 70s through the weekend.

This type of weather pattern is often called Indian Summer -- the return to dry, mild weather after the first freezing temperatures of the season arrive.

This will be a great weekend to work in the yard in preparation for winter -- either raking leaves or cleaning out the garden.

October 11, 2006 - Hard Freeze In Store Tonight

A cold front is expected to pass through this afternoon, bringing a shot of cold air and a chance for some light snow showers.

Overnight temperatures are forecasted to fall into the mid and upper 20s for several hours, bringing an end to the growing season for many locations.

A freeze warning covers much of eastern Colorado.

Now is the time to protect your tender vegetation, or as we like to say in the 24/7 Weather Center -- CYP! That means "cover your plants!"

October 10, 2006 - Another Cold Front On The Way

Denver did not see any snowfall Monday night, it was literally just a few degrees too warm aloft and at the surface along the northern Front Range Interstate 25 Corridor.

However, it did snow on folks in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a brief time Monday night. Rain also changed to snow in and around Colorado Springs around 3 am Tuesday morning, and over the higher elevations of the Palmer Divide south and east of Denver.

Snow also fell in the foothills where 2 to 4 inches was measured by most observers.

We should see some slightly warmer temperatures this afternoon before the next cold front arrives. Once again we will see cooler air behind it for Wednesday, and a chance for rain showers across lower elevations that could change to snow Wednesday night.

On this date last year some places in the Denver metro area were digging out from snow, while others sat with a chilly rain. We have a link to pictures from that storm above -- enjoy!

October 9, 2006 - Will Denver See The Season's First Snow?

It is possilbe that tonight will be the first snow of the season as a chilly rain mixes with, and changes to snow. The tricky part of the forecast is the temperatures.

To count as the season's first snowfall, we need a tenth of an inch to accumulate at Denver's official snow observation site, located near the old Stapleton Airport, off Smith Road and I-70.

With a forecast as tough as the one we have today, you should definitely check out My 24/7 Weather by clicking here. This tool allows you to point and click with your mouse on any location for a detailed hourly forecast.

Best of all, this exclusive service of the 24/7 Weather Center is free!

Stay with 7NEWS, TheDenverChannel.com and Comcast Digital Cable, Channel 247 today for all the latest weather information.

October 7, 2006 - Cool, Unsettled Weather Pattern Shaping Up

Indian Summer will end today for Denver, the foothills and the eastern plains as a series of cold fronts progress through Colorado over the next week.

Highs will tumble into the 40s and 50s just about statewide with intervals and rain and snow showers through the extended period.

Some of those snow showers will likely even make it down into the Denver area by the middle of next week as temperatures at night drop into the 20s.

Stay with 7NEWS, TheDenverChannel.com and Comcast Digital Cable Channel 247 for all the latest weather information.

October 6, 2006 - Tour Of Solar Homes This Saturday

The annual Denver Tour of Solar and Green Built Homes will be held this Saturday, October 7, at 9:00 am.

The tour begins at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, off Interstate 70 in Golden.

For directions, please click here.

This tour embraces homes and buildings with energy-efficient designs. The tour includes 14 homes in Denver, Lakewood, Golden and Westminster.

October 4, 2006 - Fall 2006 Provided Awesome Colors

You must make some time today to check out the beautiful scenes of fall color sent in by our 7NEWS viewers. We are now on our 4th Album this season.

Just look for Digital Album in the blue navigation menu on the left of this page to see all these wonderful scenes.

While the color is now at peak in the high country, you can still find some beautiful colors. It isn't too late to send us your best shots!

October 3, 2006 - Tornado And Earthquake Hit Maine

The state of Maine has seen two acts of nature that aren't very common in that part of the world.

On Friday, severe thunderstorms moved through the state, spawning an F1 tornado in North Berwick, Maine -- that is in York County.

The twister left a path of damage over a mile long.

Tornadoes are rare for Maine, with the state only averaging about two each year. This was the first confirmed tornado so far during 2006.

On Monday night the ground shook in downeast Maine. A quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.2 struck Bar Harbor. There were some reports of power outages, and a rock slide inside Acadia National Park. This was the third quake in less than 2 weeks in the Bar Harbor area.

October 2, 2006 - October Weather Outlook

October is here -- and with that comes a cool down and a good chance we will see the first snow of the season.

The main headlines this month are the days will continue growing shorter, and the temperatures will get colder.

Not that October can't throw a few warm days our way with highs approaching 90 degrees, but overall, the average monthly temperature drops significantly. Highs today typically average 72 degrees, but that number falls to 59 degrees by Halloween.

Overnight lows drop too -- with averages going from the lower 40s to around 30 degrees.

Typically this isn't a very wet month, and we see the second highest amount of sunshine of the year. However, we do see a few cold storm systems move through, and with those, our first snow.

October 19 is the average date of first snow for the Denver metropolitan area.

Recall last year, residents on the south and east sides of the metro area saw snow October 9 through 11.