What is Vortex2 you might ask? I will try and make this short and simple. Vortex2 is by far the largest and most ambitious effort ever made to understand tornadoes. Why? Simply to save lives. Current warnings have only a 13 minute average lead time and a70% false alarm rate. How can we learn to forecast tornadoes better? Can we make warnings more accurate? Can we warn 30, 45, 60 minutes ahead? Most folks that live along the Front Range don’t think a lot about tornado warnings, but many who live here have roots in the mid-west and worry about friends and family who still live in Tornado Alley.

Vortex2 is made up of over 100 scientists and crew in up to 40 science and support vehicles that will give chase when the weather is right. So far since their start on Sunday May 10 they have been setting and waiting for the right conditions to produce tornadoes. And tomorrow (Wed) it looks like they will have their chance to put all of their prep-work to use. If you would like to know more about this effort go to this web sight www.vortex2.org and be amazed by the monumental effort.

Also the Weather Channel is following the chase very closely as well and they have a team embedded with Vortex2. And you can check out what they are doing at www.weather.com/vortex.

Sunday brings a 30% chance of light snow before 10am and then again after 2pm the forecasters are expecting less than a half inch of accumulation. With a high temperature of 37° and lighter winds than Saturdays bone chillers.

If you were planning travel out of town today to the North, North-East, or East there are many roads closed as a result of the blizzard that bi-passed us. Interstate 70 from Aurora to the Kansas stateline is closed, Interstate 76 closed from Fort Morgan to Nebraska state line, and Interstate 25 Closed northbound Wellington to Wyoming state line. Many of the alternate routes are closed as well. So check the current road conditions at www.cotrip.orgbefore you leave. And be prepared for winter driving conditions.

You may have been expecting to see more snow on the ground when you peeked out this morning, but much of the moisture at this station fell as rain. The National Weather Service forecasters are expecting snow amountsto pick-up again mid morning with the winds intensifying. But the snow totals have been reduced with 2″ to 4″ total daytime accumulation expected and an additional 1 to 2 inches expected tonight. The winter storm warning is set to expire at 6 pm MDT so we will need to keep an eye on any changes. If you are planning travel out of town be aware of the high winds and snow that will produce blizzard conditions so be sure and have your emergency kit well stocked and in your vehicle.

The third Winter Storm Watch in recent days is in effect for Arvada and the surrounding area. I know you are probably tired of hearing it but we still need the moisture and I think we all would rather see rain than snow and we will most likely see both with this new system. This event will start with rain this evening before 9pm then mixed with snow until about midnight and changing over to all snow after midnight and continuing into Saturday morning. It is possible to see a few thunderstorms this afternoon. The exact track of this storm is uncertian at this point so keep an eye on the weather advisory. Early estimates are in the 6″ to 16″ range snow total from this storm.

With the Official beginning of Spring next Fri (March 20) we will have another beautiful Spring like weekend to enjoy our favorite outdoor activities. The Ski areas will most likely be packed this weekend with many schools starting spring break this weekend. Let’s hope that those here from out-of-state don’t  decide to stay in our state permanently although that would be understandable, since our winter has been very mild compared to many parts of the United States. If you are planning to make the trip up Interstate 70 to the ski area’s please ”packyour patience” the traffic could be handful. As for those of us planning to stay in the Metro area or the Foothills west of Denver it should be an awesome weekend for walking, hiking, bicycling,grilling or even working in the yard.

Sunday will be a few degree’s warmer than today with high temps in the mid to upper 60’s but winds in the afternoon and evening could reach the 30-40 mph range in and near the foothill’s. The increased wind will most likely bring a Red Flag Warning for the Extreme Fire Danger in the Foothill’s and the Urban Corridor West of I-125. 

After a week of temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s, you didn’t really think it would last did you? I think deep down we knew it would change. And a lot of you were sure it would be this weekend. Well you were right it is going to change starting this evening with cooler temperatures and an increased chance of precipitation. There is a forecast 10% chance of rain changing to snow overnight. Then during the day Saturday we see a 40% chance of snow, with an accumulation of about an inch. Then Saturday night we will see mostly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of snow showers in the evening, then we will go to partly cloudy after midnight with lows in the mid 20° range. Sunday the sun will return with temperatures climbing into the 50’s. At this point the Foothills and Eastern plains are in need of moisture and we will take it anyway we can get it, as I am sure you are aware of our area has been under a Red Flag warning because it is so dry.

As for the Time it is going to change as well, seems early I know and it is, you would have to ask your Senator what the reason for this is. But before you go to bed Saturday evening remember to set ALL of your clocks ahead an Hour.(it seems that I always miss atleast one) If you forget to do this little exercise you are going to be messed up come Monday.

As Cities, towns, villages and communities in southcentral Alaska prepare for the probable eruption of the volcano Mount Redoubt, many may think this is not a big deal due the wide open spaces and low population in Alaska. That is not the case, having been fortunate enough to have spent some time on the Kenai Peninsula east of Mount Redoubt I can tell you there are plenty of people in the area of the volcano that will be affected in a number of different ways. Alaskas largest city Anchorage and the airport there could be effectively shut down by the ash cloud and ash fallout. Although the lava flow would most likely not effect any major cites the ash could be devastating. The weather can be a major player in the effect on the communities around Mount Redoubt, but only time will tell, but for time being the folks in southcentral Alaska will continue to prepare.

The scientests at the Alaska Volcano Observatory are on top of the activity at Mount Redoubt and keeping watch minute by minute of what is going on, as well as keeping locals on track for the safest ways to deal with what ever is coming their way. For further information as well as updates you can check out  www.avo.alaska.edu for the latest on the activity.

No kidding it is warmer in Anchorage Alaska than it is in Atlanta Georgia. This morning when it was 20 degrees in Atlanta it was 42 degrees in Anchorage, the forecast high temp in Anchorage today is in the mid to upper 40’s on the other hand the forecast high temp in Atlanta is 42 degrees, these facts are probably not going to be published by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. All across Alaska and the lower 48 States record high and record low temperatures are popping up in place’s we don’t normally expect to see them.

As for the Denver Metro Area, temperature’s even though they have not been record high’s they have been and will continue very pleasant. The high temperature recorded at ArvadaWX.com was very nice 64. The temperature at DenverWx.com and ThorntonWeather.com also were 60+. No wonder people love Colorado.

If you are a lover of the Colorado outdoors or you just have a bad case of cabin fever, this weekend will give you a chance to get out of the house and enjoy the weather. With the forecast high temperatures in the mid to upper 50’s with abundant sunshine and less wind than we have seen for weeks, what more could we ask for?  Now if you are thinking this might be a good day to call in well, my guess is you wouldn’t be alone. If you are headed up to the high-country to do some skiing or snowboarding the traffic on I-70 in route to the ski areas could be bumper to bumper so plan ahead.

With Blizzard, Winter Storm and Avalanche Warning’s in effect for much of the High Country and West Slope it would be smart to put off travel to your favorite ski area until at least Saturday. If you were planning to travel Interstate 70 West of Denver to Grand Junction or beyond just stay put until conditions improve. If for some reason you must travel west make sure you keep your fuel tank full and have tire chains. And any time you travel in winter weather conditions you should have emergency supplies in your vehicle, item’s like blankets and food could save your life.

As for Denver Metro and the Eastern plains, we could see some snow showers move across the area this afternoon but mostly colder temperatures and wind will be the changes we will see. The forecast high temp for today is 38 before noon then temp’s well cool to the mid 20’s and we will have the wind around again and we could see gusts nearing 40 mph. So if you head out scoop up some of those day after Christmas bargain’s dress warm and hang onto your hat.