Mike's Weather Blog -- September 2006

September 30, 2006 - Isaac Upgraded To Hurricane

Tropical Storm Isaac was upgraded to a minimal hurricane overnight, with top wind speeds around 75 mph.

Isaac is the 5th hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic season.

The storm will pass to the east of Bermuda, but could bring high surf, especially to east-facing beaches.

Interests in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada, should monitor the progress of Isaac.

September 29, 2006 - Tropical Storm Isaac Forms In Atlantic

A new tropical storm is churning in the Atlantic, and it goes by the name Isaac.

Isaac will not threaten the U.S. mainland, but could bring some rough seas to Bermuda.

Much like the past several systems, Isaac will move close to Bermuda before taking a turn and heading out northeast over the colder waters of the Atlantic.

September 28, 2006 - Beautiful Stretch Of Weather Ahead

September is known for being a dry, sunny month -- and while it didn't start out that way, will surely end on that note.

Today through the weekend expect sunny skies, maybe a few passing clouds at times, especially over the foothills and mountains. Temperatures will approach the lower 80s along I-25 and on the plains. Widespread 60s and 70s can be expected elsewhere.

It could be a little breezy at times, especially on Friday -- but no precipitation is expected.

So get out and enjoy this fine stretch of weather!

September 27, 2006 - Looking Back At Weather History

On this date in weather history 70 years ago, we were in the middle of the biggest September snow recorded in Denver. The storm began on the 26th and ended on the 28th. After all was said and done, downtown Denver recorded 16.5 inches of snow, with 21 inches at the airport.

The storm caused approximately 7 million dollars of damage around the city, mostly from fallen foliage. Trees and shrubs were in full bloom, and the heavy wet snow took its toll.

September 26, 2006 - BIG Weather Seminar Coming Soon

The next free public seminar is just a few weeks away -- BIG Weather!!!

BIG Weather will be held at the IMAX, located at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

The event will be held on Thursday, October 12, at 6:30 pm.

To sign up and learn more, just click on Weather News in the blue menu on the left of this page. It will be under the top story.

September 23, 2006 - Fall Arrives In Colorado

Fall arrived in Colorado at 10:03 pm Friday night.

With the arrival of fall comes some chilly, cloudy weather -- great for making a pot of stew or chili and just doing some chores around the house.

Conditions should improve for Sunday with a return to some sunshine and warmer temperatures.

September 22, 2006 - Summer Ends With A Winter Chill

Today is the last day of summer, with fall arriving at 10:03 pm.

A second surge of cold air has moved into the state, bringing a chill more like mid-autumn or even early winter for some.

It will be windy statewide putting a nip in the air. You will want to grab a sweater or jacket if you plan to be outdoors for any length of time today.

Snow will continue in the high country, and we could even see a few wet flakes along the I-25 Urban Corridor by Saturday morning.

If you want warmer weather, there is good news in the extended forecast. A drying and warming trend will settle into Colorado for the new week.

September 21, 2006 - Come To Av Jam This Friday

The 2006 Av Jam, a kickoff to the 2006-2007 Winter Season, will be held this Friday night in Golden.

Av Jam benefits the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

The CAIC's mission is to promote safety by reducing the impact of avalanches on recreation, industry, and transportation in the State of Colorado through a program of forecasting and education.

Operating from a handful of small offices throughout the state, the CAIC helps get the word out to the public through emails to observers and Friends of the CAIC, faxes to observers and the media, as well as through their website.

The forecast Friday night is chilly and damp, but don't let that stop you. All the music, fun and food will be held indoors.

For more information, click here to visit their website.

September 20, 2006 - Hurricane Gordon Impacting The Azores

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center continue monitoring Hurricanes Gordon and Helene.

Gordon is impacting the Azores Islands with winds over 80 mph and heavy rain. It will continue moving east-northeast, losing tropical characteristics and becoming just a very strong area of low pressure. It will have an impact on the northern coasts of Spain and Portugal during the next 48 hours.

Helene is just a threat to shipping as the storm continues churning north and eventually northeast across the open Atlantic.

September 19, 2006 - Another Cold Front On The Way

Another cold front is heading for the state, and with it, expect below normal temperatures with showers.

In the mountains, some of those showers will fall in the form of snow late Wednesday and again Friday.

It is a little too early to say what will happen at the lower elevations on Friday night. We should see a good chance for rain showers. If the precipitation hangs around long enough, we could see some snow above 6,500 feet -- and potentially some wet flakes over the Urban Corridor.

Stay with 7NEWS for the latest -- we will keep you updated with the latest track of this system.

September 18, 2006 - Dozens Of Pictures Stream In Over Weekend

We had dozens of pictures uploaded to both the September Digital Album and the Fall Colors 2006 Album this past weekend.

An early season snow on the highest peaks made for a beautiful setting with the changing aspen leaves.

The Fall Color Album is linked above, and you can look at the September Album by clicking on Weather News.

Keep those great pictures coming!

September 17, 2006 - Sunday Morning Put The 'Burr' in September

The coldest air so far this season, and since late last spring, invaded Colorado over the weekend behind a Canadian cold front.

Many locations above 9,000 feet in the northern mountains saw snow, including Winter Park and Steamboat Springs.

Overnight lows were chilly, including...

Denver -- 40 degrees

Centennial -- 31 degrees

Limon -- 29 degrees

Akron -- 36 degrees

Fort Collins/Loveland Airport -- 30 degrees

Aspen -- 26 degrees

Gunnison -- 19 degrees

Springfield -- 36 degrees

Leadville -- 22 degrees

Lows tonight be will just as cold, if not a few degrees lower for some areas, so protect any tender vegetation that you do not want to lose.

September 15, 2006 - Cool Weekend Shaping Up

A cold front will pass through Colorado over the next 8 to 12 hours with gusty winds and much cooler temperatures.

By Sunday the highs around Denver will only be in the lower 60s with morning lows in the upper 30s.

The cool weather will stick with us right through next week, with no 80s in store for a while.

September 14, 2006 - Tropics Active Once Again

The Atlantic Hurricane Season has been quite active the past few weeks with storm systems. Currently Hurricane Gordon is churning a few hundred miles southeast of Bermuda. Thankfully, the storm is moving northeast and will not affect much land -- potentially the Azores Islands.

Behind Gordon is Tropical Storm Helene, which could soon become a hurricane. Helene is several hundred miles southeast of Bermuda, moving northwest.

In the eastern Pacific we are tracking Tropical Storm Lane, soon to be a hurricane. It is taking a path much like John did a few weeks ago -- paralleling the western coast of Mexico on a course to hit the southern tip of Baja Californina.

You can get the latest information in the Tropical Update section of our weather page.

September 13, 2006 - Another Unsettled Weekend In Store

The 24/7 Weather Center is busy tracking another cold front that should arrive along the Front Range sometime this weekend. Right now it looks like Saturday will be the wet day.

The timing and strength of this system is really going to be key as to how the forecast plays out Saturday and Sunday.

It is possible this system could bring enough cold air to drop snow levels to around 7,000 feet -- bringing the first snow of the season to many locations in the northern and central mountains, as well as the foothills. For Denver and the plains it could be a cold rain.

If the system arrives early Saturday as projected, it should kick out of here in time for the Broncos game on Sunday.

Much remains to be seen so be sure and stay with 7NEWS and TheDenverChannel.com for the latest forecast information. We will keep you up-to-date with the latest.

September 12, 2006 - Fall Color Exploding Across Colorado

The fall color is showing up all across Colorado, but especially in the northern and central mountains.

7NEWS viewers are reporting color on McClure Pass, Rabbit Ears Pass, around Winter Park and Steamboat Spring.

Usually the fall color peaks around September 20-25 across the higher elevations, but can linger as long as October 1.

We have detailed information about the aspen, how and why the leaves change color, 21 of my favorite drives plus more under Weather News. Just click Weather News in the blue navigation menu on the left of this page.

September 11, 2006 - Sunday Storm Turns Parker Into Winter Wonderland

A line of severe thunderstorms formed around 6 pm on Sunday, dropping extremely heavy rain and lots of hail over portions of the southeast metro area.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for central Arapahoe, northeast Douglas and northwest Elbert counties as the storms passed through.

Near E-470 and Quincy Road, our weather producer received 0.37 inches of rain in 7 minutes. The rain was accompanied by constant hail, ranging from a quarter to half inch in size.

It was a similar story in Parker where lots of hail and up to an inch of rain turned streets into rivers and yards into a winter wonderland.

September 10, 2006 - Strong Quake Rattles Southeast

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake rattled portions of the southeast on Sunday morning, felt from New Orleans to Atlanta, and all across the Sunshine State of Florida.

The quake was centered deep in the east-central Gulf of Mexico.

It wasn't strong enough to generate a tsunami, and no warnings were issued.

Earthquakes in this part of the world are rare compared to places like California, but not uncommon.

September 9, 2006 - Signs Of Fall Arrive In Colorado

Fall is almost here, and with the cooler temperatures and shorter days, signs of fall abound.

We are getting numerous reports that the aspen are changing fast in the northern and central mountains. There have also been several reports of snow with the most recent cold front.

Trail Ridge Road and Mount Evans were both closed late Friday due to adverse conditions. Snow was also reported along the I-70 corridor, from Idaho Springs to Silverthorne.

Loveland Pass also picked up a little fresh snowfall, as did the highest peaks of the La Plata mountains near Durango.

September 8, 2006 - Florence On Direct Path To Bermuda

Tropical Storm Florence remains strong as she churns on a northward course through the Atlantic. It is still possible this storm could reach hurricane status over the weekend.

The current track has the storm on a direct path to hit the island of Bermuda. The Bermuda Weather Service will likely issues watches and warning for the island later today.

The east coast of the United States looks like it will be spared any impacts other than some higher surf over the weekend.

September 7, 2006 - Guess The First Snowfall

Yesterday brought a snow shower to the Loveland Ski Area around 4 pm, and there will be more of that in the days to come as we transition from summer to fall.

We thought it would be fun to have a little "Guess the first snow of the year in Denver" contest. Look under weather news in the blue navigation menu to the left for a link to Denver snowfall statistics and to post your guess.

We are asking for the first date of snow, the amount, and why you think it will snow on your date.

There are already some great guesses posted -- can't wait to see yours!

September 6, 2006 - Few Storms Possible Wednesday Afternoon

A few afternoon storms are possible today, mainly over the higher terrain and adjacent plains.

There is a chance a few could briefly go severe, with hail the main threat. The best chance for this happening would be along the I-25 Corridor, from Castle Rock south to Raton Pass, New Mexico.

Stay with 7NEWS and TheDenverChannel.com for the latest weather today if the skies turn threatening.

September 5, 2006 - Tropical Storm Florence Churning In Atlantic

Tropical Depression Six strengthened into Tropical Storm Florence overnight, with sustained winds of 40 mph. A tropical storm has sustained wind of 39 to 73 mph.

Florence is well out in the Atlantic, just over 900 miles east of the Lesser Antilles, and over 2,000 miles from the U.S. mainland.

Long-range forecasts do show a gradual strengthening, with Florence possibly reaching hurricane status by Friday.

Interests from south Florida to the coastal Carolinas need to monitor this storm over the next few days. If Florence is going to threaten the southeast United States, the timing would be sometime late Sunday into early Tuesday of the coming week.

September 4, 2006 - El Paso Sees More Heavy Rain

El Paso, Texas broke another rainfall record on Sunday with 1.33 inches of rain. That brings their September total so far to 2.42 inches, and it is only the fourth day of the month.

For the year they have seen 13.91 inches of rain. Normally by this time 6.01 inches of rain would have fell.

The active monsoon is to blame for the abundance of moisture and widespread flooding this summer.

September 2, 2006 - Ernesto Brings Record Rain To Portions Of Virginia

Record rain fell in sections of southeast Virginia with 10.43 inches in Virginia Beach. Down the road in Norfolk, 8.93 inches was recorded in 24-hours, setting a new all-time daily rainfall record.

Cape May, New Jersey recorded four inches of rain on Friday with wind gusts near 70 mph.

Heavy rain will plaque the major cities of the mid-Atlantic and northeast this weekend as the remnants of Ernesto move slowly to the north.

September 1, 2006 - September Arrives On The Cool Side

The first day of September is on the cool side thanks to a cold front that moved in from the north on Thursday. Highs today will be more like the first few days of October, in the upper 60s and lower 70s.

We do have some good news for your holiday weekend -- a slow warm up with mostly sunny skies is expected Saturday through Monday.

Eastern Colorado is outlooked for a chance of severe weather today. Our severe weather links are in the sidebar above to help you track the latest weather.