Colorado fall colors are taking off. Here's where to go this weekend.
Colorado's fall colors are taking off, and if you have been waiting for a mountain drive, the next seven days are the time to go.
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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
Colorado's fall colors are taking off, and if you have been waiting for a mountain drive, the next seven days are the time to go.
Another round of heavy rain will bring a flooding threat to southwestern Colorado on Wednesday and Thursday.
Colorado's famous fall drives are beautiful for a reason. They can also get very busy once the aspens turn gold.
Fresh snow coated some of the highest peaks near Leadville and Twin Lakes this week, creating a wintry scene.
After one of the hottest years on record in Denver, the end of 90-degree heat may finally be in sight.
Above-normal precipitation is favored across the entire state this fall, giving Colorado a chance to make a dent in the drought.
A hot, dry year means Colorado's fall colors could arrive earlier than usual this year.
The Perseid meteor shower peaks Wednesday night into the early morning hours of Thursday.
The Denver area has reached its worst level of drought recorded in this century.
A research jet based in Broomfield will chase wildfire smoke across the West this summer, helping scientists understand how fires can create dangerous weather of their own.
Severe thunderstorms could bring damaging wind, hail and flash flooding later this afternoon and this evening.
Denver made it through the entire overnight period just 1 degree shy of the warmest daily low ever recorded in the city.
There is better news on the way when it comes to weather in Colorado. A wind shift will help push the thicker smoke out of northern Colorado on Wednesday.
Colorado's biggest severe weather threat on Tuesday is hail as parts of the Front Range and Eastern Plains are under an Enhanced Risk for severe weather.
Several rounds of wildfire smoke will move across Colorado this week, bringing hazy skies, reduced visibility and periods of poor air quality.