High fire danger across Colorado's foothills on Tuesday
Hurricane-force winds ripped through some foothill neighborhoods early Tuesday morning, ahead of a long day of strong winds.
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First Alert Meteorologist Alex Lehnert provides the weather forecast on CBS Colorado Mornings. Catch her latest First Alert Weather updates on TV and on our free streaming service, CBS News Colorado.
Alex grew up in Greeley, Colorado, but moved away after college and is now very excited about being home and working in the First Alert Weather Center.
"This Colorado girl is finally back!" she said on her first day at work at CBS News Colorado in 2023.
After graduating from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Alex started walking down the path toward her dream.
She kicked off her career in Casper, Wyoming (KTWO-TV) where she worked as a reporter, anchor, producer, editor, weather forecaster -- you name it. From Wyoming, she moved to Fresno, California (KMPH-TV) where she worked as a weather forecaster and reporter. After spending a few years in sunny and warm California, Alex made the move to the bold north of Minnesota, where she worked at KMSP-TV in Minneapolis as a Weekend Meteorologist for five years.
While in Minneapolis, Alex attended Mississippi State University, receiving her Certificate in Broadcast Meteorology.
Minnesota is also where she met her husband, where her first son was born, and where her love of the water really grew. (It is the "land of 10,000 lakes" after all.)
When she's not forecasting, Alex loves to spend time with her family. She loves to get out and about with her son, including hitting the slopes in the winter. Her family is also quite passionate about pickleball. ("Family holiday tournaments can get quite heated!" she said.)
Just The Facts
Alma mater: University of Colorado -- Sko Buffs!
Most memorable interview: Billy Bob Thornton
Role model: My momma
Dream job: This one.
Job you would never attempt: Beekeeper
Star sign: Leo
First TV appearance: An interview at my college graduation
What are you listening to? Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Old Dominion
Hometown: Greeley
Hobbies: When I'm in the right frame of mind, I consider myself an excellent organizer. Also, painting while sipping on a glass of wine and listening to jazz music. And anything with my son.
Favorite food: Baguette and butter... but it must be good butter. Preferably with crystalized salt on top.
Number of siblings: 3
Number of pets: One. An oversized Yorkie named Finley
Favorite sports team: The Broncos, the Buffs, and the Vikings (by marriage)
Favorite author: Paulo Coelho
Favorite vacation spot: Sint Maarten for the beaches and the memories, Italy for the wine and the countryside.
Least favorite household chore: Taking out the diaper pail.
Favorite word: Quintessential
Favorite noise: My son's laugh
Least favorite noise: My dog's nails on the garage floor
What keeps you in Colorado? Family! And it doesn't hurt that it's gorgeous here.
What's the biggest risk you've taken? Leaving one internship in college for another potential internship at a television station. I think it worked out.
You can contact Alex by sending an email to yourreporter@cbs.com.
Hurricane-force winds ripped through some foothill neighborhoods early Tuesday morning, ahead of a long day of strong winds.
The above-average temperatures in December raised the monthly average for 2025 to 42.3 degrees, falling short of the record warmest December in 1933 by approximately one degree.
So far this month, there have been 22 days of warmer-than-normal temperatures, and more days will be added to that total as the year ends.
Snow is going to hit the high country first on Saturday, gradually spreading across the mountains, before dropping down into the plains late Saturday night.
December 2025 has already broken two notable warm weather records in Colorado, and it's not over yet.
Christmas week in Colorado is getting off to an unusually warm start, with record-breaking heat possible as high temperatures climb into the 70s across parts of the state.
For the first time in Colorado, the National Weather Service has issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" for high fire danger in the Foothills on Friday afternoon.
Monsoon moisture will begin lifting north on Tuesday afternoon, bringing a chance for rain and storms across the Denver metro area by mid- to late afternoon.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10 Wednesday night for much of the Front Range including: Denver, Boulder, and Jefferson counties.
A landspout tornado is a less intense tornado. It's usually weaker and shorter-lived than the classic tornadoes we see in severe weather outbreaks, but one in Monday tore through Franktown, damaging seven businesses.
After a stint in the 90s, nearly every day in Colorado so far this month, temperatures will be cooling off heading into the weekend with rain and storm chances Friday and Saturday.
On Wednesday, DIA hit 100 degrees for the first time this year, also tying a daily record high.
Most of Colorado is bracing for sizzling heat Wednesday afternoon as a heat dome sends temperatures into the triple digits across parts of the state.
Get ready for a lot of sun on Monday with a chance of severe storms for the Denver metro area and Eastern Colorado.
With millions of videos on various social media platforms, it can be difficult to stick out, let alone reach a wide audience, yet the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance has found a way to do just that.