
Where is all the wildfire smoke in the 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.
Watch CBS News
First Alert Meteorologist Joe Ruch's passion for meteorology developed at just 12 years old. He was at the Eagles vs. Lions Snow Bowl game, the forecast called for 1-3" of snow in Philadelphia, but the storm dumped 9" of snow with blizzard conditions. This sparked his curiosity as to why the forecast went wrong and the rest is history.
After pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science from Penn State University, he took a leap of faith and moved to Colorado Springs. It was not long before he found himself chasing all types of weather from snow to tornadoes. Joe quickly fell in love with the challenge of forecasting the weather along the Front Range. Mother Nature always has a trick up her sleeve.
In 2024, Joe was hired by CBS News Colorado and began forecasting from the First Alert Weather Center. Within a few days of joining the team, an epic snowstorm dumped more than a foot of snow on parts of the Denver metro area and Joe was able to provide important updates on the snowfall totals to CBS Colorado viewers.
Aside from forecasting the weather, Joe loves to spend time outside. He has enjoyed exploring the high country, whether that be going on hikes or camping overnight. Joe's favorite trip so far was hiking to the top of the sand dunes in the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve on a hot summer day (never again).
You'll also find Joe exploring new restaurants downtown. He loves food!
Just The Facts
• Position: First Alert Meteorologist
• Year hired: 2024
• Alma Mater: Penn State
• Hometown: Garnet Valley, PA
• Hobbies: Fishing, Eating, Working Out
• Favorite Food: Salmon
• Number of Siblings: 3
• Least Favorite Chore: Folding Laundry
• Least Favorite Noise: The screech from chalk on a chalkboard
• What keeps you in Colorado? How unpredictable Mother Nature can be
Several rounds of wildfire smoke have been moving into Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and communities up and down the I-25 corridor this week.
A second round of storms on Wednesday could bring significant rainfall, large hail, and damaging winds to the I-25 corridor and eastern plains. Flash flooding will be a key concern.
Elevated humidity is adding fuel to scattered storms Tuesday evening, bringing the risk for localized flash flooding, hail, and damaging winds.
Temperatures are heating up across Colorado on Friday, returning to near-normal levels with highs in the 70s and 80s across the high country and upper 80s to low 90s on the Eastern Plains.
The National Weather Service in Pueblo issued a flash flood warning Saturday evening for Costilla and Huerfano counties in southern Colorado. The impacted area is about 35 miles north of the New Mexico state line.
Daily afternoon storms remain possible across Denver and Colorado through Independence Day, but skies should clear in time for fireworks.
Severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 9 p.m., storms could bring large hail, damaging wind, lightning, and flash flooding east of DIA
Denver's big Sunday—Pride, Metallica, and now a severe storm threat this afternoon.
Tuesday's storms may produce hail up to 2 inches in diameter, strong wind gusts and a low-end tornado risk from the I-25 corridor to the Eastern Plains.
Cooler temps return to Colorado this week, but so do severe storms. Monday brings showers near Denver, and Tuesday looks more intense with hail and damaging winds possible along I-25.
Colorado's first weekend of summer has been a scorcher, with near-record heat and growing fire concerns along the I-25 corridor. A cold front will bring cooler temperatures and the return of daily rain chances to start the work week.
Rare G4 geomagnetic storm on Saturday put on a show across Colorado skies as geomagnetic activity will push auroras farther south than usual. Although it was initially forecast to peak on Sunday night, atmospheric conditions led the storm to peak Saturday.
The Farnik family lives in Raymer in Weld County and is touring the damage after severe storms struck Tuesday afternoon.
Storms could turn severe in the evening with the potential for large hail and damaging winds along the I-25 corridor, including Denver.
Two of the tornadoes were rated EF2 and struck near Bennett, east of Denver, with winds topping 125 mph. Another strong landspout damaged homes near Elkhorn Ranch.