Can’t Make Heads Or Tails Of Colorado Weather? The New State Climatologist Says It’s More Than A Coin Flip

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Photo: AC State Climatologist Snow
A coating of snow left by an autumnal storm covers pumpkins for sale in front of a store in Denver on Monday, October 9.

Monday saw the Front Range get its first measurable snow fall since last April but the National Weather Service predicts temperatures will be back in the 60s within 48 hours. The yin and yang of Colorado's weather has long been a fascination of Russ Schumacher. Now, recently named the state's climatologist, he wants to become even more personally acquainted with the hows and whys.

Photo: AC State Climatologist Schumacher
Russ Schumacher

A member of Colorado State University's Department of Atmospheric Science and Colorado Climate Center, Schumacher spoke with Colorado Matters about the impact of climate change on the state's weather, and why he thinks having citizens measure rainfall in their backyards will help scientists gain an understanding of the full spectrum of atmospheric conditions faced here.