
What Is Graupel? Understanding this unique snow pellet in weather
Graupel is a unique type of precipitation, also referred to as soft hail or snow pellets.
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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
Graupel is a unique type of precipitation, also referred to as soft hail or snow pellets.
Snowpack woes continue across Colorado. Even with parts of the high country receiving over a foot of snow last weekend, we are still lagging significantly behind.
Winter weather is making a comeback! A long stretch of snow and cold continues on the Front Range and in the mountains.
April storms are messy, and the bulk of the upcoming storm is expected during the day on Friday. Two weather factors are at play.
We are still about two weeks away from the average last snow in Denver and about three weeks away from the average last freeze.
Colorado's snowpack continues to plummet just one week after its peak.
Elevated fire danger will be over portions of Colorado, including Denver, on Wednesday. Red Flag Warnings will go into effect beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday through 7 p.m.
Currently, a significant portion of the high country and the extreme northern parts of the I-25 corridor are experiencing drought. This affects approximately 613,900 Colorado residents, a number that is expected to rise rapidly over the next month or two.
Today, April 7th, marks the historical peak of the snowpack across Colorado.
April showers bring May flowers... April has officially arrived!
The snowpack across Colorado is lagging below average.
A mixed bag of weather will continue Tuesday night and affect the Wednesday morning commute across the Denver metro area and the Eastern Plains.
A home was destroyed by fire very close to the Hertha Lake Fire burn area.
A buffet of varying active weather conditions is expected across Colorado for the rest of this week.
Blizzard Warnings have been issued for portions of Douglas, El Paso, Arapahoe, Adams, Elbert, Lincoln, Washington, Sedgwick, Phillips, Yuma, and Kit Carson counties. Snow totals will range anywhere from 2 to 10 inches.