Rare comet in the sky, won't return for 800 centuries
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) will likely remain visible to the naked eye through October 21st and the largest supermoon of the year will rise on Thursday.
Watch CBS News
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
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) will likely remain visible to the naked eye through October 21st and the largest supermoon of the year will rise on Thursday.
The position is key, further west would result in the cold air stay too far west. If it stays to the east, a wetter and cooler solutions would become more likely.
Thick wildfire smoke blanketed the Front Range across Denver Tuesday morning. Smoke will gradually clear Tuesday afternoon and evening, but another round is expected overnight.
Denver continues to add late season 90-degree days, contributing to the warmest September on record.
Denver tied the record high of 92° today, the previous record was set in 1892.
A strong upper level trough will arrive early Saturday morning bringing significantly cooler air and accumulating snow, at least across portions of the high country.
Astronomical fall is just 4 days away. The leaves are changing, temperatures are (gradually) cooling. Fall is in the air across Colorado!
The Pearl Fire that forced evacuations in Larimer County near the Colorado-Wyoming border was human caused. That's according to the Larimer County Sheriff.
A strong low-pressure system is approaching, leading to a big pattern change across Colorado.
Thick smoke will move into Colorado and arrive in the Denver metro area Thursday afternoon and evening. This wave of smoke will be noticeable. Poor air quality is expected with smoke very visible to the naked eye.
We've officially hit 90+ degrees at the Denver International Airport for the 59th time so far this year. The climb on the leaderboard continues.
A strong low-pressure system will push onshore late Wednesday, bringing changes to the pattern.
Early season snow is possible Wednesday night into Thursday across the higher peaks in Colorado.
The best time to view the fall colors is elevation dependent. If you are planning a trip across the northern mountains the best time is mid to late September. In the central mountains it is late September.
One final hot and dry day is on tap across Denver before strong to severe storms make a return on Wednesday.