Latest news with #FOX21StormTeam
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe thunderstorms likely on Friday
(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Thunderstorms are expected again over Southern Colorado on Friday, and some of them are going to be strong. There's a lot of wind shear in the atmosphere today, and that is going to help storms rotate. When storms spin, they organize and strengthen. The spin in the storm's updraft helps it to stay separate from the downdraft — this often results in large hail, and that is our biggest threat today. Most of the storms will move east, but any that start to turn to the right, and start heading east-southeast or southeast, may become capable of producing a tornado. A severe thunderstorm and/or tornado watch will likely be issued for parts of Eastern Colorado later on today. A WATCH means that ingredients are present for the possible formation of severe thunderstorms, and you should pay attention. It's similar to Mom or Dad putting the ingredients for tacos out on the kitchen counter – get ready. A WARNING is like the tray of assembled tacos arriving at the table – it's time to take action! Know the difference and be ready later today. Download the FOX21 StormTeam app for Apple or Android to get a digital door knock from us in the weather center when storms are heading your way. Click above to download the app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe storms expected Thursday
(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Severe thunderstorms are often expected over eastern Colorado in early June. The image below from the Colorado Climate Center shows a smoothed version of severe weather days over a two-week running mean (thick black lines). Significant severe weather reports are also represented over a running two-week mean (thinner blue line). For tornadoes, the frequency ramps up through May and reaches a peak in early June, with a slow decline through the summer and into the fall. The graph for severe hail looks similar, but shifted a little later: the peak is in mid-June. Wind reports from severe thunderstorms are more frequent later in the summer, with a peak in early to mid-July. An average of all three types of severe weather reports puts the climatological peak of severe weather on June 10, so no big surprise we've got some in the forecast for the end of the week. For Thursday, storms will strengthen as they move or develop over the eastern plains. Severe storms are certainly possible along the Front Range, but are a little more likely from Trinidad to Cheyenne Wells and most likely in the southeast corner of the state. It is likely that a severe thunderstorm and/or tornado watch will be issued for parts of eastern Colorado later on today. A WATCH means that ingredients are present for the possible formation of severe thunderstorms, and you should pay attention. It's similar to Mom or Dad putting the ingredients for tacos out on the kitchen counter – get ready. A WARNING is like the tray of assembled tacos arriving at the table – it's time to take action! Know the difference and be ready later today. Download the FOX21 StormTeam app for Apple or Android to get a digital door knock from us in the weather center when storms are heading your way. Click above to download the app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Meridian Fire 80% contained, cause determined accidental
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The Ellicott Fire Department gave an update on Friday morning, March 14 about the Meridian Fire, which sparked on Thursday evening, March 13. According to the Ellicott Fire spokesperson, the fire has burned 2,515 acres and destroyed three outbuildings. As of 9 a.m., the fire is 80% contained and all evacuations have been lifted. The spokesperson also said the cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: All evacuations lifted from Meridian Fire Thursday Several areas in Southern Colorado, including El Paso County, remain under a Red Flag Warning on Friday, with high winds expected throughout the day. According to the FOX21 Storm Team, some areas could see gusts up to 50 miles per hour. So far, more than 30 regional and local agencies have assisted in firefighting efforts. Per the Ellicott Fire spokesperson, crews will remain on scene for most of the day to monitor and address any remaining concerns. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FOX21 Storm Squatch: Road conditions in El Paso County
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — FOX21 Storm Team Meteorologist Megan Montero was out and about in the FOX21 News Storm Squatch on Tuesday, March 4, to check out the windy, snowy conditions that affected parts of El Paso County. Windy conditions affected the Briargate area in North Colorado Springs at around 5 a.m. this morning. Megan said drivers should be aware of wind and blowing snow. While at Powers Boulevard, Megan said the FOX21 News Storm Squatch was 'blowing around,' however, roads seemed to be okay, with people going by pretty easily, per Meteorologist Megan Montero. As for the I-25 corridor near Monument, things started to get snowier. Megan warned drivers of 'very crusty, hard snow' that was slush in some places. 'It's going to be pretty rough, especially on surface streets the higher terrain you go,' said Megan. 'We've been driving around and, in fact, the Squatch has been skidding around. In addition to just the snow texture, it's the fact that you can see at points that are blowing snow all over the place.' Although Blizzard warnings had been dropped for that area, drivers should be extra careful during their morning commute. Megan demonstrated what surface streets looked like at around 5 a.m. close to Highway 109 in Monument. Roads were snowy and icy as blowing snow hit the FOX21 Squatch. Roads conditions deteriorated as the FOX21 Storm Team traveled higher, closer to the Palmer Divide. 'You are going to want to take it slow, especially the closer you are to the Palmer Divide,' said Megan. 'Things changed rapidly as we increased in elevation.' Palmer Lake roads were slick and covered in snow. Live from the Squatch, Megan showed FOX21 viewers how different the wind and snow were affecting the higher terrain. Megan cautioned drivers to take it slow during their morning commute. As the Squatch moved closer to I-25 in the Palmer Divide, surface streets were pretty icy but things were starting to look a lot better as the Blizzard Warning had been dropped by around 7 a.m. Road conditions off to the northeast were also rough, as Highway 24 was under a full closure between Colorado Springs to Limon due to safety reasons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What conditions must be met to qualify as a blizzard?
(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — You may hear the term 'blizzard conditions' tossed around when Colorado's winter weather rears its head, but did you know there are measurable differences between a blizzard and a snow storm? According to the FOX21 Storm Team, certain conditions must be met for a storm to be classified as a blizzard. The storm that's rolling through Colorado starting Monday night, March 3 will qualify as a blizzard… sort of. Only portions of the storm will meet the criteria of a blizzard, and others in the region will be spared, though you might still see some pretty severe weather even if you're not in the blizzard conditions. For a storm to be called a blizzard, these conditions must be met: It must be snowing There must be winds 35 mph or above for at least three consecutive hours Visibility must be reduced for three consecutive hours to a quarter of a mile or less Essentially, whiteout conditions must be present for a sustained period of time to constitute a blizzard, which obviously, makes travel difficult if not impossible. As of Monday, a Blizzard Warning is in effect for northern El Paso County up to Castle Rock and parts of Douglas County all the way through the I-70 corridor. In addition to Blizzard Warnings, Winter Storm Warnings are in effect as well as High Wind Warnings. Click here to see which school districts and organizations have delayed or canceled services Winds overnight Monday into Tuesday are projected to be anywhere from 40-50 mph up to 70 mph or more, according to the National Weather Service. Large amounts of snow are expected, though it will be nearly impossible to get an accurate measurement of snowfall due to those winds. Expect snow drifts and low visibility to cause extremely hazardous driving conditions in the warned areas. The FOX21 Storm Team also said we are expecting a phenomenon called a 'snow donut,' in which some places will see large amounts of snow, while others may not. Cañon City, Pueblo, La Junta, and Lamar will see hardly any snow, if at all. While those areas won't see much snow at all, their not-so-distant neighbors to the north and south could see anywhere from a trace to 18 inches. The biggest story will be the blowing snow. If you have plans to travel anywhere included in the Blizzard Warning above, like the Palmer Divide, the Gap, or I-70, you are strongly urged to reconsider. If you must travel, plan your route by checking road conditions ahead of time, build in extra time to take it slow, and ensure your car is packed with emergency gear like extra blankets and clothes, water, snacks, snow removal tools, de-icer, and road flares. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
