Mike's Weather Blog -- November 2006

November 30, 2006 - Winter Storm To Hammer Central, Southern States

The same storm system that brought the cold and snow to Colorado will wreak havoc on the central states today. A squall line of severe thunderstorms will be followed by a window of freezing rain, sleet and snow.

Numerous advisories and warnings are in effect from Oklahoma to Michigan.

If you have travel plans east today, make sure you click on our Travel Weather page in the blue navigation bar on the left. There you will find flight delay information for major hubs, national forecasts with My 24/7 Weather, and current weather advisories.

November 29, 2006 - Storm Turns Area Roads Into Skating Rinks

Allow up to an extra hour or more for your commute time today. Roads are icy and snowpacked, both on the plains, in Denver, and across the high country.

Snow will taper to flurries after the noon hour today, then partial clearing will settle in after midnight. Temperatures will hold steady in the teens this morning, and slowly drop into the single digits by sunset. Lows by Thursday morning will be in the single digits below zero.

Please remember your outdoor pets today. If possible, bring them inside. If pets must remain outdoors, ensure they have adequate shelter, plenty of food, and water that remains unfrozen.

Stay here on TheDenverChannel.com and with 7NEWS on your television for team coverage on this winter storm.

November 28, 2006, 6:00 PM - Wednesday Commute Will Be Tough

It will be a chilly, tough commute Wednesday morning as light to moderate snow falls. A second surge of even colder air will filter in by rush hour, with temperatures in the single digits and lower teens.

Even just a dusting to half-inch of snow will make driving very slick.

A Snow Advisory is in effect for metro Denver until noon on Wednesday. 3 to 7 inches of snow is possible.

November 28, 2006 - Wednesday Commute May Be Slow, Slick

Snow and cold will be moving in today as a strong cold front moves through the state. Winds will be gusty ahead and behind the cold front.

Also behind the cold front, snow will develop as northeast winds create a window of upslope conditions. We could see 2 to 4 inches of fluffy snow by noon on Wednesday.

With the very cold air approaching, the snow will stick to roads and surfaces, potentially making the Wednesday morning commute a tough one.

Stay with 7NEWS for the latest.

November 27, 2006 - Strong Winter Storm To Impact Colorado

A storm system will impact the state, starting this afternoon in the mountains. Snow will fall heavy at times, especially along and near the Continental Divide. West and northwest facing slopes could see 6 to 14 inches of snow, with isolated pockets up to 2 feet.

Very cold air will also accompany this storm system with the coldest air so far this fall and winter season.

We are expecting snow in the Denver area and on the eastern plains overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday.

Stay with us for the latest on this developing weather situation.

November 25, 2006 - Arctic Air On The Move

The 24/7 Weather Center at 7NEWS is busy tracking a potentially strong storm system that will affect Colorado. Arctic air that has been building over Alaska for several weeks is now moving south.

Though it will moderate before reaching Colorado, temperatures by the middle of this upcoming week will be several degrees below normal.

We could also be talking some snow. Stay with us for the latest.

November 24, 2006 - Dry Cold Front Brings Cooler Weather

A dry cold front has brought much cooler weather to the state, especially on the eastern plains.

Gusty winds today will make it feel even cooler than the actual air temperature. Some snow showers are possible in the mountains.

Our next cold front is slated to arrive by the middle of next week, and it may bring the coldest air of the season to the Front Range, along with some snow.

The arctic air we have been watching over Alaska for several weeks now looks like it will finally break off and slide south. Stay tuned for the latest forecast information!

November 23, 2006 - Rain, Wind Doesn't Stop Parades

Rain and wind this Thanksgiving didn't hamper the spirit of parade goers in New York and Philadelphia. The wind made it tough for the big balloons in the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade.

Temperatures were hovering in the upper 30s to middle 40s at parade time with light to moderate rain.

The Philadelphia parade is the oldest in the nation. In Detroit, also one of the nation's oldest parades, the weather was a little chilly, but dry with no wind.

In New York City, special wind sensors placed at flight level for the big balloons help determine if conditions are safe for flight. Sustained winds of 23 mph, or gusts to 34 mph are criteria that will halt flight.

Recall in a few years past, there have been injuries from balloons that went out of control and damaged light fixtures, which fell onto the crowds below.

November 22, 2006 - Bitter Cold Remains Locked In Alaska

We have been talking about the bitter cold in Alaska in the blog now for a few weeks. Temperatures across the interior of the Great White North, extending into northwest Canada, have been running 15 to 30 degrees below zero both day and night. That may sound typical for this time of year, but in fact, that is some 15 to 25 degrees below normal.

There aren't any signs that the bitterly cold air is on the move, but eventually, it will be. In taking a quick look back at weather history for Denver and the state, many of our first arctic outbreaks of the season have arrived during the stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Stay with 7NEWS, we are always looking ahead to keep you the most informed!

If you begin your Thankgiving travel today, please drive safely. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

November 21, 2006 - Need A Personalized Holiday Travel Forecast?

Today is the second and final day of our 2006 Thanksgiving holiday travel forecast line. On Monday, meteorology students from Metropolitan State College of Denver took calls from 7NEWS viewers, providing them with a personal travel forecast for places as close as Arvada and as far away as South Korea.

Students from the meteorology department at UNC Greeley will be here this afternoon, answering your calls from 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm. Just watch 7NEWS NOW at 4 pm for details.

November 20, 2006 - Holiday Travel Forecast Line Available Today

Although the weather is looking quiet for Colorado and surrounding states this Thanksgiving, you can still take advantage of our holiday travel forecast line both today and tomorrow afternoon. This free service is brought to you by the 24/7 Weather Center at 7NEWS.

Between 4 and 5:30 pm each day, meteorology students from Metro State and UNC Greeley will be waiting to give you a personalized forecast for your destination.

Watch 7NEWS NOW at 4 pm for the number to call. Let us pinpoint the forecast for the travel destination of your choice this Thanksgiving weekend.

November 18, 2006 - Winter Settles Into Alaska

It has been a wintry week for our friends in Alaska. On Monday the high in Fairbanks only climbed to 17 degrees below zero. That was the coldest afternoon high for that date since 1956. If you happen to be traveling that direction for the holiday week ahead, pack the heavy jacket.

Temperatures both day and night are forecast to remain well below zero for at least the next 7 days. Conditions are a little warmer for Anchorage with highs in the teens above zero, and lows around zero.

In portions of southeast Alaska, a winter storm dropped record snowfall this past Monday. The capital city of Juneau saw a foot of snow.

The air mass currently over Alaska and northwest Canada is about 10 to 20 degrees colder than it should be for this time of year.

It has been in place for several days now and shows no sign of warming in the next 5 to 10 days. It is the time of year when these arctic blasts can sometimes break off and slide down the Rockies into Colorado.

One example of this happening was back in 1985, when Thanksgiving weekend around northern Colorado had highs dropping from the 30s to the teens and single digits, and overnight lows below zero.

November 17, 2006 - Hurricane Sergio Soaks Western Mexico

A rare mid-November tropical system is spinning off the western coast of Mexico today, and is expected to keep forecasters busy through the weekend.

Sergio developed earlier in the week and rapidly gained strength. The storm is now losing steam and should be downgraded to a tropical storm by Saturday.

Sergio dropped moderate to heavy rain in the vicinity of Acapulco on Thursday, and will spread rain toward Los Cabos over the weekend.

November 16, 2006 - Holiday Travel Forecast Line Returns

Once again this Thanksgiving, 7NEWS will offer the holiday travel forecast line to help Thanksgiving travelers know what to expect on thier trip to see friends and family.

This free service will be offered on Monday, November 20, and Tuesday, November 21, between 4:00 and 5:30 pm each afternoon. Watch 7NEWS NOW at 4 pm for more details Monday.

The travel lines will be staffed by meteorology students from Metropolitan State College of Denver and the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

November 15, 2006 - Severe Storms Strike Dixie

The storm system that brought the high winds and snow to Colorado is now reaking havoc over parts of the deep south. Severe thunderstorms are pounding portions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama today.

Near Sand Hill, Mississippi a possible tornado damaged almost a dozen homes and a church around 5 am Wednesday. Numerous trees were reported down with debris blocking the roads.

Wind damage was also reported in Baldwin County, Alabama.

The storms will push east during the day today, reaching southern Georgia and the panhandle of Florida by evening.

November 14, 2006 - Cold, Blustery Tuesday In Store

Brrrrr will probably be on the tips of our tongues today as a windy, chilly day lies ahead. A winter storm system will be affecting the state, with moderate to heavy snow in the northern and central mountains.

For Denver and the eastern plains it will mostly be a wind event, with gusts in excess of 50 mph possible. When you combine wind speeds that strong with afternoon temperatures only in the 40s, you get some very cold wind chill values.

A few rain or snow showers can't be ruled out at lower elevations today, but by far, the bulk of the snow will stay in the mountains.

Bundle up and stay warm. Please be mindful of the very strong wind we will see today around the metro area and on the plains. Everyone needs to keep a firm grip on the wheel, but especially high profile vehicles. You will want to be especially cautious on north-south oriented roads that parallel the foothills, such as Highway 93 between Boulder and Golden, a road prone to erratic wind gusts that blow both cars and trucks off the road.

November 13, 2006 - Arctic Air Building Over Alaska, Canada

Bitterly cold acrtic air is developing over portions of eastern Alaska and western Canada, with a pocket of air as cold as 30 below zero in some places.

Lows tonight in Fairbanks are expected to drop near 20 degrees below zero, with highs tomorrow around 10 below. The normals this time of year are 13 degrees above zero by day and 4 degrees below at night.

So why do we watch what is happening that far away? Because often times, when thick, dense cold air persists over a period of time up north, it will break off and slide down the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

A bitterly cold outbreak for Alaska can sometimes translate into an arctic outbreak for Colorado two or three weeks down the road.

We'll keep an eye on this cold air and the forecast for you!

November 12, 2006 - Snow In the High Country

Snow was falling in the foothills west of Denver Sunday morning. A snow and blowing snow advisory was issued for Western Grand and Western Jackson Counties until noon.

Areas of light snow will spread from the mountains onto the plains Sunday morning, with a mixture of rain and snow east of the front Range cities. Precipitation will end Sunday afternoon with clearing skies. Little or no snow accumulation is expected on the plains, while an additional 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected in the higher mountains. Low pressure at the surface and aloft is producing the precipitation, and this will shift east of Colorado by Sunday evening, with drier air moving in.

November 11, 2006 - Windy Weather Will Turn Cold, Snowy

Another cold front will move into the state today, dropping temperatures and bringing a chance for some snow. There will be some accumulations in the mountains and foothills, with some flakes even possible over the I-25 Urban Corridor overnight.

On this date in 1922, a strong winter storm developed over Colorado, dropping more than a foot of snow on Denver during a 36-hour period.

And in 1995, hurricane force downslope winds developed along the Front Range, with gusts over 100 mph at Squaw Mountain, in Boulder, and on Table Mesa. Gusts to over 90 mph were recorded in Golden Gate Canyon. Rocky Flats, Lakewood and Broomfield reported gusts in the 60 to 80 mph range.

November 10, 2006 - Unsettled Weather Ahead

Temperatures will continue to warm after yesterday's cold front, with near 60 degrees likely by Saturday. Then another system will move through, dropping temperatures back into the 40s Sunday with a few snow showers scattered about.

Next week will once again warm before another system in this unsettled weather pattern move in, drops temperatures, and brings the chance for a few rain or snow showers.

November 9, 2006 - Record Heat Gives Way To Normal Readings

Hopefully you were able to get out and enjoy the all-time record high on Wednesday. Today, highs will still be above normal, but only by a few degrees. By Friday, we will drop into the middle and upper 40s, a few degrees below normal.

The cool down is thanks to a cold front that has slipped into northern Colorado. Behind the front expect increased clouds and much cooler temperatures. A few light rain or snow showers are even possible, but the main story will be the temperature change.

Expect this trend to last through the weekend, with 70s and 80s out of the picture for a while, potentially until next spring.

November 8, 2006 - Watch The Transit Of Mercury As Denver's Mercury Soars

You will be able to watch the planet Mercury transit the sun today from the Community College of Aurora, or at the University of Denver's historic Chamberlin Observatory starting at 11:30 am.

For more information on the transit of Mercury, scroll down and read yesterday's blog entry.

While watching the planet Mercury on the move, the mercury in local thermometers will also be on the move, toward all-time record highs. As of 11 am, Denver was sitting at 72 degrees. The record for this date is 78, and the all-time November record high is 79 degrees.

Will we hit 80 degrees and set a new all-time November record? It is possible! Watch 7NEWS this afternoon at 4 and 5 pm to find out.

November 7, 2006 - Watch The Transit Of Mercury Wednesday

The planet Mercury will transit the sun on Wednesday, and you can watch it from the Community College of Aurora.

You can think of transiting the sun as an eclipse, only the planet Mercury is far too small to effectively block out the sun's light.

Local astronomer, Larry Sessions, says "Transits of Mercury as you know are fairly rare, the last was in 2003, and the next is in 2016. They offer the opportunity to see Mercury (although certainly not in much detail), which is notoriously difficult ordinarily due to its proximity to the Sun. Personally, I've only seen it a couple of times, and then it was as a faint "star" in the twilight."

Only one spacecraft has ever visited Mercury, that being just a fly-by in the 70s. However, currently a spacecraft called "Messenger" is on the way, but will not enter orbit at Mercury until 2011.

Between 12:15 and 5:10 pm on the afternoon of November 8th, the innermost planet of the solar system, Mercury, will slowly pass (transit) across the Sun's visible disk. Two planets lie between Earth and the Sun, Mercury and Venus, and these are the only planets that can ever be seen going across the disk of the Sun.

If it's not an overcast day, Members of the Community College of Aurora's Astronomy 101-160 class will have a solar telescope set up outside the CentreTech campus Learning Center between 1:30 and 3:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to stop by and have a look at this rare astronomical event.

Transits of Mercury can only occur in the month's of May and November and the next transit of Mercury will not occur until May 9th, 2016.

November 6, 2006 - Enjoy The Next Few Days

Make plans for a walk or lunch outdoors between now and Wednesday as we enjoy some very mild November temperatures. Highs will be running some 5 to 12 degrees above normal.

You can thank a downsloping wind off the foothills for the mild conditions.

By Thursday the winds will kick up ahead of a cold front, with Friday's highs dropping off into the 40s with a chance for rain and snow showers.

November 4, 2006 - Winter Weather Awareness Week Recap

A few key things to remember is when traveling while winter driving conditions exist, you need to have your car prepared in case you become stranded. This includes a winter survival kit, plenty of gasoline, and extra money.

Know the difference between a "watch" and a "warning," and when planning outdoor activities in the winter, know the forecasted winds and temperatures to protect yourself from dangerous windchills.

Always have more than one person when venturing into the high country for recreation outside ski resorts, in case of an avalanche. All members of your party need proper equipment for a day of fun, including an avalanche beacon, probe pole, and shovel.

For additional information, read back through the archived blog entries starting on October 31.

November 3, 2006 - Winter Weather Awareness Week

Thousands of avalanches occur each year in the mountains of the United States, with about 2,000 on average each season in Colorado. With the enormous popularity of winter sports, this poses a significant threat.

Over the past 10 years, Colorado has led the nation with highest number of fatalities from avalanches, averaging 6 per year.

Your first line of defense is to know a little about avalanches. They typically happen after a fresh snowfall and most occur on slopes of 30 to 45°. A significant snowfall may result in an unstable snowpack.

By waiting 36 hours after a heavy snow, you may allow the snowpack to become more stable.

Staying in valleys away from avalanche chutes, in stands of dense trees, or on gentle slopes, all can help to minimize your avalanche risk.

You are typically safe at a commercial ski area, and you should always respect their rules and stay in bounds.

Here are some additional avalanche safety rules...

Never travel alone. Always have one or more companions with you. Even a small avalanche can be fatal. It is entirely possible that if you are alone and get trapped, you may not be found until spring!

If crossing a slope that may be prone to avalanches, do it one person at a time. You want to minimize the impact on your party if an avalanche is accidentally triggered.

All members of your party should wear an avalanche beacon, and carry other rescue equipment such as a shovel and probe pole.

Here in Colorado, avalanche conditions are monitored and forecasted by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).

November 2, 2006 - Winter Weather Awareness Week

Wind and cold can be a deadly combination anywhere, but especially in a state like Colorado.

Often when a winter storm is expected, the first thing on everyone's mind is how many inches of snow can we expect. Often times we overlook the fact that winter storms bring very cold temperatures and strong winds...a deadly combination, especially in the aftermath of a storm system.

The wind chill is an "apparent" temperature the body feels, which actually measures the amount of heat lost by the body due to the wind and cold. Two consequences of exposure to the cold and wind are hypothermia and frostbite.

Let's say for example that the air temperature outside is 5° below zero with a 20 MPH wind. The apparent temperature to your body would be about -30°. In other words, your body will think and react (lose heat) in the same manner as it would if the air temperature was actually -30° with no wind present.

When the wind chill values reach -25° your body can experience frostbite in as little as 15 minutes.

Frostbite first affects exposed body tissue where blood circulation may be limited, such as fingers and toes. Your ears and nose are also highly susceptible. You should always make sure your body parts are well covered. When frostbite sets in, the area will turn pale or white in appearance. If you notice this happening, hold that part of your body close to warm skin so that the flow of blood returns.

Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature and is the most common winter killer. You often hear this as the cause of death when a stranded traveler, hiker, climber, or hunter dies. Surprisingly, hypothermia can set in with temperatures as warm as 50°. If your clothes are wet, you have an even higher chance of hypothermia setting in.

Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, and drowsiness. If you suspect hypothermia is setting in you need to seek immediate medical attention. If no help is available, the victim should be warmed slowly with warm liquids and blankets. Wet clothes should be replaced with dry garments.

So what do you need to do for survival?

Have access to a wind chill chart and listen for the latest forecast here on 7NEWS when you have outdoor plans. If wind chills are forecast to be a concern, the National Weather Service will issue a Wind Chill Advisory or Warning for the area. Even if there aren't any advisories in effect for potentially dangerous wind chill, you should still pay attention to the forecasted temperature and wind when you have outdoor plans, especially for extended periods of time.

Otherwise...when outdoors enjoying wintertime...dress in layers, stay dry, stay covered, and stay informed.

November 1, 2006 - Winter Weather Awareness Week

Winter winds can sometimes howl across Colorado, with speeds up to (and even over) 100 MPH at the surface. This is especially true in and just along the foothills. Boulder and Fort Collins are two communities extremely prone to intense downslope windstorms due to their location with respect to surrounding terrain. Other places prone to intense winter winds include Denver, Colorado Springs, Canon City, Westcliffe, and Walsenburg just to name a few.

The pressure difference between a strong low pressure and cold high pressure can be one cause for intense winter winds. You can think of our atmosphere as always trying to find a state of equilibrium, or balance. When sitting in between two large differences in pressure, the atmosphere will correct this through winds. The greater the difference in pressure over a relatively small distance, the stronger the winds. These winds will blow until a state of balance is obtained.

Another cause for strong winter winds is the Chinook, which are most common in the eastern half of Colorado. A Chinook is a warm wind, much like what we saw yesterday and will see again today. The Chinook is also known as a "snow eater."

A strong low-pressure area in Colorado with a high pressure to the west can send what we call a Bora wind across the state. This is a cold wind. Damage caused by these winds can be more widespread than what we see with a severe thunderstorm.

The jet stream over Colorado is much stronger during the colder months of the year, due to the big difference in temperatures from north to south across the continent. This is just another piece of the puzzle so to speak in generating those strong winter winds.

High winds bring several dangers, including flying debris, overturned vehicles, and collapsed structures.

When high winds are possible, the National Weather Service will issue a High Wind Watch, and upgrade that to a Warning when necessary. If temperatures are cold, high winds can also bring about dangerous wind chills. It isn't uncommon in Colorado to have a Wind Chill Advisory or Wind Chill Warning issued.

If high winds are in the forecast, tie down or bring any lose objects that may be outside indoors. Avoid north-south oriented roads along mountain barriers, and don't drive light weight or high profile vehicles during high wind events. If your power lines come down, notify the electric company immediately. Never approach downed power lines.