Chris_Tomer's Blog

Angel of Shavano
by Meteorologist Chris Tomer

   Climbed the "Angel of Shavano" with my great friend Jon Kedrowski recently.  During the months of May and June the snow on Mount Shavano (a 14er) melts in a certain way revealing an "angel".  Adventurous folks can ascend the snow angel using crampons and appropriate winter gear.  You can then exit the snow angel and trek to the summit of Mount Shavano.

Heading up the snow angel....

 
Good friend Jon Kedrowski at top of snow angel.....


Summit of Shavano......a chipmunk joined us!!!

-Chris Tomer

5/26/2008
Meteorologist Chris Tomer

   Windsor, CO Tornado damage was surveyed by the National Weather Service and their findings indicate an EF-2 or EF-3 tornado was/is responsible.  EF-3 tornadoes generate winds up to 165-mph.  Typical EF-3 tornadoes knock down farm houses, out-buildings, partially tears masonry walls down, and knocks down power lines and power polls, blows windows out, and blows down wood frame walls as well as tears roofs off.

  Below is a Doppler Radar Image of the actual Tornado Vortex Signature (TVS) snapped at 11:35am as the tornado rolled through Windsor.  Notice what is also called a "hook echo" as the storm produces a hook on the southeast side of the storm.  This is abnormal.  Normally, tornadic storms produce the hook echo on the southwest side of the storm cell.  Also abnormal was the northwest movement of this storm cell.  Typical tornadic storm cells move northeast.

  If you have any further questions feel free to email me:  chris.tomer@foxtv.com

Chris Tomer

April 2008: 5th Windiest in 14 Years
By Meteorologist Chris Tomer    
5/5/2008

     Are you sick of the wind this winter?  After crunching the numbers, April 2008 was the windiest month of 2008 so far and the 5th windiest April in 14 years.  Get this: Average wind speeds were in the double digits 60% of the time last month.

April 2008 Stats:

Average Wind Speed: 12 MPH
Peak Denver Gust: 52 MPH

     Looking Ahead, May traditionally ranks as our 3rd windiest month of the year.

--Chris Tomer

Windy Winter
By Meteorologist Chris Tomer
2/17/2008

     50 years worth of weather records indicate that this is and has been a windy winter.  Wind speeds in Denver are averaging faster than 50-year averages taken from Stapleton and Denver International Airport.  In fact, this winter is so windy that even our extremely complex weather models are failing to include accurate wind speeds in their forecast output.

     Here are a few photos from whiteout conditions during a recent satellite live shot at Eldora Ski Area.  I clocked wind speeds at 60mph.

-Chris Tomer

Never-Ending Mountain Snow
by Meteorologist Chris Tomer

     The San Juan and Sangre De Cristo Mountain Ranges are pushing 200% of normal snowpack depths.  Here's an example: Wolf Creek Ski area has received 415" of snow already this winter season - and it's only mid February!  March is our snowiest month.

     If you're curious about what the FOX-31 Weather Team is forecasting for the Front Range and Eastern Plains during the months of March, April, and May then watch our FOX-31 Weather Special at 930pm on February 22nd.  We're working on a detailed long-range winter and early spring outlook.

 All this snow becomes our water supply come Spring and Summer. 

-Chris

Photo from the Blizzard of 2006.  Taken by Chris Tomer on the old FOX-31 Weather Deck.  Man with shovel: Dave Stampfl. 

Georgetown Ice Racing with "Our Gang" Ice Racers, 12/28/2007
Chris Tomer

Here are some photos from a recent live shot in Georgetown where Dan Daru and myself went ice racing!

Chris Tomer

Odds of A White Christmas in Denver
by Meteorologist Chris Tomer

A "White Christmas" depends on your personal definition.  Do you want snow falling from the sky or just old snow on the ground?

The percentages are interesting.  There's a 12% chance of having at least a tenth of an inch of snow falling from the sky on Christmas Day.  There's a 36% chance of having at least an inch of old snow on the ground on Christmas Day. 

How do we know these percentages are accurate?  We look back at historical records dating back to 1900. 

Will we challenge the 12% probability this Christmas?  Or, will it be the 36% probability?  Or, maybe neither?

Stay tuned over the next five days to either Good Day Colorado or FOX-31 News at 9 O'Clock for our latest forecasts.

Chris

5-Day Snow Totals:

Silverton Mountain Ski: 90"  <-New Record!
Crested Butte: 80"
Monarch Ski: 72"
Wolf Creek Ski: 67"

14-Day Snow Totals at these areas: 10 Feet
Statewide Snowpack: 110% of Normal  (3 weeks ago: 36%)

Chris Tomer
Fox-31 Meteorologist

11/6/2007 5:46pm

This is the 2nd straight week of heavy mountain snow.  Avalanches are a serious threat.  Grand snow totals hovering around 6-feet are commonplace in the Sangre De Cristo and San Juan Mountains. 

6-feet(+) winners:
Silverton Mountain
Telluride
Wolf Creek

3-5-feet winners:
Crested Butte
Snowmass & Aspen
Monarch
Vail
Copper
Winter Park
Berthoud
Breck
A-Basin
Loveland
Keystone
Eldora

  Prior to this and last week's snowstorms our statewide snowpack was sitting at 37% of average (poor).  Now, snowpack numbers are close to 100% of normal.  Two weeks; Back to Black.  Enjoy the steep and the deep!

Chris Tomer
FOX-31 Meteorologist

     This is a reply to Shanec's blog question: "First real snow that sticks in Denver".

This week looks abnormally warm and dry.  We're tracking a colder storm for Sunday night (11/11) and Monday morning, but this storm doesn't look major. 

The long range numbers indicate a warm end to November as well.  Normally we receive about 10 inches of snow in Denver in the month of November, but with warm temperatures it's hard (but not impossible) to get significant snow.  The mountains look like they'll get some better snow later this month.

-Chris Tomer
FOX-31 Meteorologist

Clear Creek Reservoir is almost empty.  It's located halfway between Leadville and Buena Vista, CO just south of Twin Lakes. 

Notice in photo number three the boat ramp that leads nowhere. 

Photos from 9/19/2007 during the installation of A-Basin's newest chairlift in Montezuma Bowl. 

 Photos taken by Jon Kedrowski and Chris Tomer

9/10/2007

Fall Color Timetable
Chris Tomer

Aspen leaves are changing color in some mountain locations.  The peak of Colorado's Fall color will occur at the end of September and continue through the first week of October.  Lower elevations can expect excellent color through mid & late October.

Fall Color is most vibrant in locations featuring large stands of aspen: 
Guanella Pass
Trail Ridge Road
Kenosha Pass
Independence Pass
Maroon Bells
Rabbit Ears Pass
Wolf Creek Pass
Monarch Pass
Buena Vista
Salida
Collegiate Peaks

Why?  Less daylight (shorter days).  

Check back to our website for more updates.  I'll keep updating this blog with progress reports.

-Chris Tomer
FOX-31 Meteorologist