
Where is this frigid air headed towards Colorado coming from?
Cold air originating from the Arctic Ocean will be dislodged and sent to the continental United States this weekend.
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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
Cold air originating from the Arctic Ocean will be dislodged and sent to the continental United States this weekend.
A dangerously cold Colorado weekend is approaching.
Cold and snowy weather is around the corner in the Denver metro area and Colorado's Front Range.
Another storm will bring the chance for accumulating snow during the Thursday morning commute.
High winds across the Front Range will lead to near-critical fire weather along all of I-25. While this is going on, snow will be dumping across I-70 with winds to 50MPH creating treacherous travel.
Travel will be near-treacherous at times across I-70. Travel will deteriorate west of Georgetown to Glenwood Springs, a 113-mile stretch of the major interstate.
Near-treacherous travel conditions are expected at times across Interstate 70 in the Colorado high country over the next few days.
The official definition of a White Christmas is at least 1 inch of snow on the ground.
Light snow is expected to continue over the mountains and portions of the Front Range through the evening hours.
The record snowiest November occurred in 1946 when 42.6" fell.
Travel should be avoided in the Colorado high country for a roughly 36-hour window beginning Tuesday morning and lasting until Wednesday afternoon.
Widespread 1-2 feet of snow is expected across Colorado's high country, Denver will see accumulations Wednesday.
One of the big things we look at is what El Nino and La Nino are doing. It all has to do with the water temperatures off the coast of South America.
Last February after a big snowstorm in Grand Mesa one group of snowmobilers hit the slopes for what they thought would be a fun afternoon. The fun came to a screeching halt when one of those snowmobilers triggered a small avalanche.
Colorado is home to some of the wildest weather across the United States. After all, the old saying goes "The weather starts east of the Rockies."