Temps expected to surge, reaching dangerous levels in Denver
A heat wave is officially underway across Colorado, with dangerous heat possible in Denver.
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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
A heat wave is officially underway across Colorado, with dangerous heat possible in Denver.
This summer may look a bit different. Current forecasts are trending towards are hotter and drier 3-month period. The current temperature outlook indicates anywhere from a 33%-70% chance of above average temperatures with the greatest probability in the southwestern corner of the state.
A busy day with hail, damaging winds and flooding is possible Friday afternoon and evening in the Denver Metro area.
As if the heat was not enough, we will be watching for a few severe thunderstorms capable of large hail and damaging winds to develop in Denver and across the Plains Thursday afternoon.
As we are getting ready to put a weekend full of damaging winds, hail and flooding behind us, one more day of severe weather is possible on Monday.
After a stormy Saturday, parts of Colorado are again at risk for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms to finish the weekend. Storms are most likely along the I-25 corridor, but the foothills and mountains will also have a risk.
All modes of severe weather will be on the table Saturday afternoon between 1-8PM. Storms will fire up across the Palmer Divide and Denver Metro area between 1-3 PM.
What an end to the month of May in Denver... hail, flooding, and several rounds of severe weather across the Front Range. June tends to be an active month for severe weather, and the trends are pointing to that again this year.
Hail and damaging winds will be a concern through Thursday across Colorado's Eastern Plains.
All modes of severe weather are expected across the Eastern Plains of Colorado later Monday afternoon and evening.
A few strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing hail and gusty outflows are possible this afternoon and evening.
The northern lights are expected to be visible across the northern third of Colorado.
Winds have arrived across the Front Range of Colorado. Top wind gusts reports so far today clocked in at 96 MPH southwest of Colorado Springs, and 87 MPH in Boulder.
April showers bring May flowers ... and boy, what a start to the year it has been.
Colorado's snowpack continues rapidly melting across the southern portion of the state.