Currently in Denver — November 9, 2023: Chill Sunshine

The weather, currently.

Gear up for sunny skies and a high of 48 this Thursday. Temperatures will dip down into the low to mid-20s at night. That’s colder than we’ve seen on our recent sunny days, suggesting that our lovely Autumn is coming to a close, and winter is well on its way. Or, as the Game of Thrones fans would say: Winter is Coming.

I know it was a few days ago, but I’m annoyed about daylight savings time. I know people have differing opinions, but, personally, I’d rather wake up in the dark and have sunlight past 4pm than wake up, miss the sunrise, AND still be in the office during sunset . . . come on!!!

— Julia Dinmore

What you need to know, currently.

According to the latest US drought monitor, California is now entirely drought-free for the first time since early 2020 — thanks to a series of beneficial rains brought in part by Hurricane Hilary and a growing El Niño.

Almost every major lake and reservoir in the state is currently filled higher than normal — a rarity for California in this era of megadrought. Some areas of the Sierra Nevada mountain range are more than 20 inches ahead in 2023 alone. The state also made it through peak wildfire season with hardly any major threats, thanks mostly to the wet soil.

In fact, state officials have begun to release extra capacity from California reservoirs to hold heavy rains that might come with El Niño this winter. The first potential atmospheric river of the season could arrive as early as this weekend.

— Eric Holthaus

What you can do, currently.

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