Snowstorm comes to an end across Colorado
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been allowed to expire as snow comes to an end Friday morning.
Watch CBS News
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.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been allowed to expire as snow comes to an end Friday morning.
Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for many parts of Colorado including Denver.
Numerous Winter Storm Warnings go into effect Wednesday in Colorado. Late in the day a storm system heading for the Rocky Mountain region will begin bringing wind & snow totals as high as 18 inches in parts of the Denver area.
Warming temperatures on Wednesday will bring us to the top of this week's temperature rollercoaster before a Winter Storm Watch is issued for the mountains by Thursday morning.
Temperatures will climb into the low to mid-60s on Friday under a mostly sunny sky. While winds will be a little stronger throughout the day Friday, wind and warmth build heading into the weekend, as fire danger surges by Saturday.
High winds are blasting across Colorado and raising fire danger across much of the eastern half of the state.
A cold front that will bring rain changes to the Front Range is not set to arrive in the Denver metro area until the late afternoon.
Snow will build into the high country throughout the day Thursday as Winter Weather Advisories go into place, and remain in effect through early Saturday morning.
There are some quick changes to the mild weather that we've been experiencing in the Denver metro area as cold and snow have moved in just in time for the weekend.
Prepare to break out the snow shovels again heading into the weekend. Snow will reach the Interstate 25 corridor by Friday evening.
As of Feb. 6, the statewide snowpack average climbed to 91%. That's up from just 68% of the average reported back in January.
Winter Storm Watches and Warnings are in place for the high country as confidence remains high the mountains will receive heavy snow, and travel will likely be impacted.
Just as quickly as temperatures climbed into the low 50s across parts of the Denver metro area Thursday, they fell into the 30s as a cold front raced through the Front Range in the afternoon.
After a brief break in the snowfall, the mountains are preparing for another round of heavy snow, with strong winds expected for some.
Before the slight warmup, temperatures took a dramatic dip on Monday evening at Denver International Airport. In just 5 minutes the temperature dropped 9 degrees, falling to a near-record cold of -19.