Latest news with #FrontRange
CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Drought conditions worsen across Colorado as wildfire threat grows
The latest drought monitor shows drought conditions are worsening statewide, and fire danger is on the rise. The most dramatic change this week is in extreme drought, which increased by more than 8%, especially in Mesa, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Garfield Counties. Along the Front Range, drought conditions are intensifying as well. Parts of Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Douglas Counties have now shifted from being abnormally dry to experiencing moderate drought. As drought deepens, wildfires continue to burn across Colorado, fueled by hot, dry, and windy conditions. The state remains under Red Flag Warnings through Friday, indicating critical fire weather.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Where is all the wildfire smoke in the Denver metro area coming from?
Several rounds of wildfire smoke have been moving into Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and communities up and down the I-25 corridor this week. Most of the smoke is coming from three active wildfires on Colorado's Western Slope: the Lee Fire, Elk Fire and Turner Gulch Fire. Starting early Tuesday evening, residents in the Denver metro area may have noticed that the smoke overhead appeared thicker. This was a direct result of increased fire behavior earlier Tuesday afternoon on the Western Slope. Another noticeably thick round of wildfire smoke, coming from the same fires, is anticipated to arrive Wednesday night. With winds blowing out of the west, smoke from these fires is carried into the atmosphere and funneled to the I-25 corridor. This results in smoke arriving in waves. As fire activity increases, so does the size and density of the smoke plume. During calmer periods, when winds weaken, less smoke is transported along the Front Range, leading to temporary improvements in air quality. The Elk Fire was listed at over 7,000 acres on Tuesday and the Lee Fire has burned more than 13,000 acres. Both are close to the town of Meeker. The Turner Gulch Fire, not far from the town of Gateway, is 49% contained and has burned more than 22,000 acres.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Temperatures across Colorado's Front Range remain cool on Sunday ahead of workweek warmup
Get outside and enjoy the Colorado weather on Sunday. Temperatures will be near normal for the Front Range before Mother Nature cranks up the heat for the workweek. A ridge of high pressure has temperatures climbing near triple-digit heat starting Tuesday. It's not until next Saturday that temperatures cool to the upper 80s and low 90s. There is just enough instability in the atmosphere that the eastern plains could see some severe storms. The metro area and mountains, however, will likely remain dry. While we need rain showers for the drought, it looks like we are going to have to wait a bit for relief.
CBS News
02-08-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Colorado sees weekend cooldown before heat returns
If you don't like the heat, enjoy the temperatures this weekend. Highs for Colorado's Front Range will be in the upper 80s, right around our average temperature for this time of year. The sky is a bit smoky on Saturday morning, and that will stick around for most of the day. This afternoon, there is a chance for storms across the metro area and eastern plains. The mountains saw rain early Saturday, and that could continue for the day. We are watching the storms closely this afternoon, as a few could turn severe. The biggest threat is on the eastern plains. The "cooler" weather does not stick around. A ridge of high pressure brings our temperatures back into the upper 90s for the work week.
CBS News
31-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Wildfire smoke spreads across Colorado, impacting air quality and causing hazy skies
Coloradans experiencing itchy eyes or sneezing on this Thursday are likely due to the thick haze over Denver and the entire state. Colorado has experienced a huge influx of wildfire smoke from large fires in Arizona and Utah. There are almost 150-thousand acres burning in Arizona's Dragon Bravo fire and Utah's Monroe Canyon Fire. Winds over the Central Rockies shifted from northwest on Wednesday to a more southwesterly direction on Thursday, transporting smoke across nearly every part of our home state as we get closer to the weekend. Denver and the Front Range have a double whammy for poor air quality going into Friday. Number one is the wildfire smoke, and number two is higher ozone levels expected. Ozone concentrations in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category will be most likely from the western suburbs of Denver, northward along the foothills and the I-25 urban corridor to the Fort Collins area. Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
