Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Skier Killed at Purgatory Is Identified

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A 34-year-old mom from New Mexico.

2 Killed in Small Plane Crash Into Reservoir

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Investigation into the cause is underway but there were extreme high winds yesterday.

Update:  Investigators have determined that a student pilot failed to perform instructions on a stall recovery exercise. I think high winds may still have been a factor here because instructors normally will take over if the student doesn't perform the maneuver succesfully.

Slick Roads Cause Semi Crash on I-70 Near Loveland Ski Area, Beer Spills On Road

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Tragic!

2 Injured In-Flight by Severe Turbulence Over Pueblo, Emergency Landing At DIA

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This is an extremely rare occurrence in Colorado.  The only prior occurrence of injuries in-flight by turbulenece on a commercial jet was in 1975, when a flight taking off from Stapleton Airport was slammed to the ground by a microburst.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Target Shooters Started Rabbit Mountain Fire in Boulder County

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There have been no storms with lightning during the recent rash of wildfires, so they have to be human-caused.

Blizzard Hits Foothills, C-470 Closed After Accidents and Spin-Outs

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The sudden blast of cold air caused icy conditions on Denver metro roads. 5" of snow in Morrison.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Prarie Dogs Found More Abundant Than Previously Thought

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Plague, introduced by humans, has reduced prarie dog populations of the 1800's by 98%.

Grass Fire In Southeast El Paso County

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Investigators Think Kids Playing With Matches Started Highlands Ranch Grass Fire

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Rock Climber Rescued in El Dorado Canyon After Falling 25 Feet Onto Ledge

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The Long Drought Is Over in California

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Reservoirs are full to overflowing, the ground is fully saturated and snowpack in the mountains is at near-record levels. If the La Nina weather pattern continues through the spring months, ground water levels may rise dramatically, and eventually pressurize the San Andreas fault, leading to the "Big One".

Wildfire Consumes 1 Home, 2 Vehicles in Weld County

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Evacuations Ordered in Boulder County Wildfire

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Winds Whip Wildfire in Boulder County

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The chinooks were howling last night. Boulder usually gets the worst of it along the Front Range.

Monday, February 20, 2017

Bears Coming Out of Hibernation Early in Colorado Springs

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Warm temps but nothing to eat.

Firefighters Save Homes from Wildfire in Highlands Ranch

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Warm, dry conditions to end later this week.

Arsonist Strikes Again on Green Mountain Wildfire?

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The 7th wildfire started near the top of Green Mountain since October. An extremely remote chance that these were caused by windborne sparks, more likely an arsonist at work here. What are the odds of having 7 wildfires in 3 months in the same place? Near zero.

Update - Fire officials agree. 2 fires were started, one at 1:30AM , the other at 6AM.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

101 MPH Wind Gust Reported on Berthoud Pass

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Moose Struck, Killed in Nederland

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No info on what happened to car or the driver but if the moose was killed, there had to be serious damage to the car.

Strong Winds Fan Brush Fire in Fort Collins

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Looks like another cigarette butt out the window.

Update: Confirmed

High Winds Topple Semis on I-70 Near Silverthorne

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Rare situatuion for central mountains.

Record High Temps Across Colorado

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Chinook winds bring 80 degrees to Denver. Sets new record for month of February. Snow on the way.

High Winds Topple Large Trees, Power Lines in Boulder

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Houses and cars damaged, downed power lines spark wildfires.

2 Wildfires in Boulder County Force Evacuations, 13 Structures Destroyed

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Record temps and dry, windy conditions spread flames in a hurry.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

More Than 600 People Killed in Colorado Roadway Crashes in 2016

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The chances of being killed in an automobile accident are about 100X higher than the chance of being killed by a natural hazard. Avalanches are the natural hazard that has killed the most people in Colorado, with 239 deaths in the 60 year period from 1950-2010. All the details can be found here.