Record-breaking heat in Denver on Monday
Denver smashed the daily record high-temperature today by hitting 99 degrees earlier today. The old daily record high was 97 degrees from 2007.
Watch CBS News
First Alert Meteorologist Lauren Whitney loves the challenge of tracking Colorado's unique weather patterns and rapidly changing conditions. Lauren joined the CBS Colorado Mornings team in 2011 and moved to the evening newscasts in 2016. Before her start in Denver, Lauren was the morning weather anchor in Grand Junction at KKCO-TV (NBC).
Lauren is originally from Minnesota and grew up in Phoenix, the city she calls home. She has a B.A. degree in Broadcast Journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, where she minored in Political Science. She also holds a B.S. degree in Geosciences with a concentration in Broadcast and Operational Meteorology from Mississippi State University.
Lauren is an avid sports fan and had a unique first job with the Arizona Diamondbacks as the "Game Host," roving through the stands and announcing contests on the Jumbotron at Chase Field in Phoenix. Now she's a diehard Rockies supporter and has a lot of purple in her wardrobe.
Covering two Super Bowls for CBS has one of Lauren's career highlights. The weather was a story for the 2014 Broncos vs. Seahawks "cold weather" Super Bowl, with a major snowstorm narrowly missing the game in East Rutherford, NJ, but stranding thousands of fans the next day. Two years later, in San Francisco, it was perfect weather when the Broncos beat the Panthers in Super Bowl 50. "Experiences of a lifetime" is how Lauren describes being on the CBS Colorado Super Bowl broadcast teams.
Being a part of the community she lives in is very important to Lauren. She is a volunteer with the Junior League of Denver -- whose focus is to improve literacy rates in the Denver metro area -- and enjoys emceeing events for nonprofit organizations, such as the Denver Health Foundation and others.
When she's not forecasting the weather, Lauren can be found on family outings with her husband and daughter, reading, or planning some sort of over-the-top themed party.
Just The Facts
Year hired: 2011
First TV appearance: Fox Sports Arizona in college, previewing an Arizona State vs. Oregon football game Other possible career: Hallmark card designer
Dream job: To play with puppies every day
Secret desire: Again, the puppies
Favorite sounds: The very quiet when it snows, the sound of rain on my windows, and all of my loved ones laughing together.
Most memorable interview: Meatloaf. I asked him one question and he talked for 10 minutes. You don't interrupt Meatloaf.
Hidden talent: If eating a whole bag of Sour Patch Kids is considered a talent, then I'm at a professional level.
Favorite quote: "All the colors I am inside have not been invented yet." -Shel Silverstein.
Favorite food: Mac and Cheese; so good. There aren't many things better than homemade mac and cheese. And my grandma's cookies. I have the recipe memorized.
Interesting fact: I'm 5-foot-11. When meeting me for the first time, people are often surprised that I'm a tall person.
Hobbies: I'm pretty crafty (I'm on a first-name basis with the staff at my favorite craft store); getting lost in a good book; making friends try recipes I'm testing; napping on cloudy days; going to movies.
Least favorite household chore: Folding laundry. Who needs matching socks?
What's on your playlist? Mostly country music. I like to listen to other people's playlists to discover new tunes.
What keeps you in Colorado? Colorado sunrises. And the wide array of local beers.
Who would play you in a movie? Meryl Streep or Hugh Jackman. I've heard they're pretty good.
Role model: Overnight nurses. Anytime I'm tired, I think of what they do every night. It's pretty incredible.
Alma Mater: Arizona State University - Go Devils! Mississippi State.
Favorite sports teams: Broncos! All of Colorado's teams. The Arizona Diamondbacks. And of course, my Arizona State Sun Devils.
Star sign: Capricorn, I'm a pretty accurate description of my sign. Don't mess with me!
Hometown: I was born in the chill of St. Cloud, Minnesota, raised in the heat of Phoenix, Arizona.
Number of pets: None, I make friends with all the dogs in my neighborhood.
Number of siblings: Just me!
You can contact Lauren by sending an email to yourreporter@cbs.com.
Denver smashed the daily record high-temperature today by hitting 99 degrees earlier today. The old daily record high was 97 degrees from 2007.
The summer sizzle has fully settled in to Colorado and Denver reached it's hottest day of the year with a high of 99 degrees on Wednesday.
We've seen heavy rain through the afternoon for the Denver area, and we expect to see rain on and off through Wednesday morning.
A dramatic weather change is on the horizon for Colorado. Tuesday will bring a powerful, moisture laden system to our state.
Denver broke a 41-year-old daily record high today. We smashed the old daily record of 80 degrees by hitting 84 degrees this afternoon.
Fire danger and strong wind will continue on Friday, prompting another First Alert Weather Day.
We will end the week with terrible wind for much of Colorado, which means high fire danger in many areas including Denver.
Snow will really ramp up in the high country and stick around through most of Wednesday before tapering in the late evening.
The much anticipated cool down is almost here. A cold front will plow through Colorado tonight and bring an end to our warmer weather very quickly.
Snow and cold are just on the horizon for the Denver area on this FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY. Late Tuesday night and into the early morning, snow will ramp up and make a potential mess for the morning commute.
The Front Range could see a little snow this weekend, but Arctic air will push into the eastern side of the state. The real cold air won't settle in until Sunday when we drop to the teens with overnight lows dropping below zero.
This storm will be very much like the big storm seen earlier this month, so expect wet heavy snow.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are still in place through 5:00 a.m. on Thursday. This includes the Denver area and the Eastern Plains.
A powerful arctic blast takes aim at Colorado on Wednesday. We are looking at extremely cold temperatures, snow and wind to impact almost all of Colorado.
A blast of wind and snow will move into the Front Range and plains overnight and through Tuesday. These dangerous conditions will prompt a First Alert Weather Day.