Incase of:

• Blizzards - Anytime you are in the High Country of Colorado it is best to be prepared for extreme weather changes. Sun can give way to snow pretty much anytime. Always make sure that someone knows where you are and for how long you will be gone. Day hikes through the Rockies claim countless victims each year because no one knows they are out there and searches are not conducted in time. If you are camping, make sure you have cold weather items such as blankets, coats and gloves. If you travel through the mountains make sure your car is equipped with the basic survival gear: flashlight (with batteries); blanket; coats; matches; flare & first aid kits; a basic tool kit for your car; spare tire; etc...

• Tornado Warnings - Do Not Ignore the Tornado Warnings! Seek shelter in an underground location i.e.: cellar or basement. If you are outdoors or in a car - LEAVE YOUR CAR - find a ditch, canal or covert. Stay away from trees, cars or buildings. Most of the deaths that occur from tornadoes are from the flying debris.

• Lightning Storms - While they are possibly one of the most beautiful events of nature, they are the most deadly! Take lightening very seriously! STAY AWAY FROM TREES! They may provide shelter from the rain or wind accompanying a storm, but they are natural lightening rods. If you are caught outside during an electrical storm, bend down into a "four-point stance" with all extremities touching the ground. If you are in a car - close all windows. Lightening will travel around the steel of the car's body.
  If you are engaged in an outdoor activity, e.i.: baseball, golf or gardening, stop immediately - seek shelter! You are not a wimp if you take lightening seriously! Stay off the phone and electrical appliances (computers too).

• Flash Floods - Especially - but not exclusively - in the mountains and foothills, a flash flood can occur during the Spring and Summer months. If you hear a flash flood warning over the radio for the area you are in, take precautions. Go to higher ground. This means stay out of canyons, valleys or dried riverbeds. A flash flood is exactly that - it happens in a flash. If you are caught in a flash flood, you can survive it, try to "ride" the top of the surging crest. Almost like surfing. The best advise though, stay out of areas that have Flash Flood Warnings in effect.

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National Weather Services:

• The Weather Channel - graphical site. Very reliable. Doppler radar, maps, warnings,   local, regional & national forecasts
• NOAA - National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
• NWS Denver Area - Front Range  & Northeastern Plains
• NWS Grand Junction - Western Slope & Surrounding
• NWS Pueblo - Southern Area
• Colorado Basin River Forecasts - Flash flood warnings, watches and conditions
• MSN WSI Intellicast - Actually a national service, not necessarily specific to Colorado, but the state is included.
• SkyWarn - You can report weather conditions in your area to the National Weather Service.

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