Severe weather struck Colorado yesterday, causing havoc at Denver International Airport (DIA). Hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed, and passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport. As of 4 p.m. yesterday, FlightAware reported that 574 flights were delayed, and 112 flights were canceled due to severe weather affecting the airport.
Several airlines that have been severely impacted by the severe weather conditions include Southwest, United, Mesa, Jazz, British Airways, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Key Lime Air, SkyWest, American Airlines, CommuteAir, Volaris, Air Canada, and Air France.
The severe weather moved into Colorado overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday, with reports of large hail, strong winds, and rain in towns north of the Denver metro area, including Longmont and Erie. More widespread severe weather was likely to occur yesterday, which included the possibility of large hail and damaging winds from Denver north towards Fort Collins. The highest threat to the Denver metro area was expected to be between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. yesterday, with some risk remaining from 6 p.m. until midnight, although the threat was considerably lower during the later hours of the day. It appears that large hail was the main hazard for the Denver area on Wednesday, although winds exceeding 60 mph or even 70 mph could also threaten the metro area. There was also a threat of tornadoes across eastern Colorado, including the Denver area.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC), the governing body for severe weather forecasting, put Denver and much of northeastern Colorado under a so-called “Slight Risk” for severe storms on Wednesday. This is significant, as it is relatively rare for the SPC to put Denver under such a risk category two days ahead of time.
The reason for all this is a meandering area of low pressure that is tracking near the Four Corners on Wednesday, allowing lots of moisture to reach eastern Colorado. On top of that, lots of wind shear – the change in wind speed and direction with height – is creating the potential for supercell thunderstorms to develop.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS
The above events highlight the importance of being well-prepared for severe weather conditions. As seen in the situation that transpired in Colorado, severe weather can cause damage, chaos, and even loss of life. Therefore, it is essential to be well-prepared to face such conditions whenever they arise.
Firstly, it is important to keep abreast of weather updates regularly by monitoring these forecasts through media or weather applications. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), key information to be aware of when monitoring weather information includes the following:
– Watch: Conditions are favorable for a type of hazardous weather. Stay alert, and if possible, monitor your local news or other emergency broadcasts closely.
– Warning: Hazardous weather is imminent or occurring. A warning indicates a higher threat, and individuals should be ready to take immediate action to protect themselves, such as evacuating.
– Advisory: Hazardous conditions are expected to cause significant inconvenience, and could lead to potentially dangerous situations.
– Routine weather completely replaces any of the aforementioned terms.
Secondly, as seen in the case of Denver’s severe weather condition, it is important to stay informed about your flight status. Airline representatives can provide you with information on flight delays or cancellations, as well as the options available to you.
Thirdly, it is essential to be prepared to face severe weather conditions by having an emergency kit and supplies on standby. Supplies such as clean water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and flashlights can assist in supporting health and safety in case of disaster.
Lastly, timely collaboration with the local authorities is essential so that you can be up-to-date with guidelines, plans, and available evacuation paths if necessary. Understanding the local disaster management authorities and their recommendations is also critical to plan and follow the necessary actions ahead of, during, and after severe weather conditions.
CONCLUSION
Severe weather events can cause untold chaos and inconvenience for travelers. Efforts need to be made by stakeholders such as weather forecasting institutions, airlines, and airport management authorities to keep travelers informed and safe, especially during weather-triggered crises. However, travellers also need to be equipped with relevant information and supplies to handle such weather situations. By following the above recommendations, travelers may remain prepared, vigilant, and less susceptible to adverse weather conditions whenever they travel.
<< photo by stein egil liland >>
