Issue Date: Thursday, June 25th, 2020
Issue Time: 10:35AM MDT

Summary

Hot weather continued across the state on Wednesday with high temperatures running up to 10F above normal. The hottest weather (compared to seasonal average) occurred over southwest Colorado with Grand Junction reaching 99F and Cortez reaching 97F.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms popped up again during the afternoon, despite relatively meager moisture. A 10-15 minute period of brief heavy rainfall was common mainly across the higher terrain with 24-hour observed rainfall of 0.25 inches across many counties. The strongest cell of the day appears to have occurred right over the Continental Divide between Fraser and Nederland. The highest observed rainfall came in from the Sawtooth SNOTEL site at 0.5 inches. However, this site is only at 9,600 feet, suggesting some higher amounts were likely over the highest elevations. A look at gauged streams showed brief spikes in the 20-40 cfs range in the flow of the Middle Saint Vrain, South Saint Vrain, Middle Boulder Creek and Ranch Creek (west of the Continental Divide).

In addition to the rain, gusty winds were common again in the afternoon, mainly east of the Continental Divide, owing to the dry sub-cloud layers that were ripe for evaporative cooling. Gusts up to 67 mph were reported at Rocky Flats in Jefferson County, prompting a severe thunderstorm warning for the Denver metro area.

Flooding was not reported on Wednesday. For precipitation estimates in your neighborhood over the last 24-hours, scroll down to the State Precipitation Map below.

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Issue Date: Wednesday, June 24th, 2020
Issue Time: 9:30AM MDT

Summary:

Slow moving storms in a fairly moisture rich environment caused some heavy rainfall on Tuesday afternoon into the evening. Storms were a bit more widespread when compared to Tuesday, but not quite as severe without upper level support. QPE from MRMS, Stage IV, and MetStorm Live were quite a bit different from each other (not shown). Max 1-hour rain rates up were estimated around 0.75 inches (west) and 1.5 (east) with MetStorm Live, and 2-hour totals were just over one inch under the stronger storms that formed over the Palmer Ridge and Raton Ridge. After a bias correction (using gaged data), 24-hour totals dropped to one inch for those storms. Some three-quarter inch hail was also reported for the stronger storms that formed over the Southeast Plains border counties.

There were a couple Flood Advisories issued over Park, Giplin, and Jefferson Counties, and the closest ALERT gage (El Rancho in Genesee Park) recorded 0.47 inches. Additionally, two Flash Flood Warnings were issued in El Paso and Teller County. Two CoCoRaHS stations (Woodland Park and Cripple Creek) reported 1.16 inches for the 24-hour period. All in all, the slow storm motion really allowed the precipitation to accumulate. As of this morning, there was no flooding reported.

For precipitation estimates in your neighborhood over the last 24-hours, scroll down to the State Precipitation Map below.

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Issue Date: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020
Issue Time: 9:35AM MDT

Summary:

A passing shortwave and moisture under the ridge helped spark some afternoon storms over eastern Colorado. Storms over the mountains favored the Central Mountains and southern Front Range, and a weak thunderstorm near Vail produced 0.25 inch hail.  Storms were more abundant in eastern Colorado across the Palmer Ridge and south. As storms moved into the Southeast Plains, they got a little stronger with better dynamics in place (shortwave, CAPE, jet stream). Although a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for a stronger storm that developed over the Raton Ridge, there were no reports of hail. This is likely due to the remoteness of the area. Radar estimates just over 0.50 inches of rain fell, but a CoCoRaHS station near Pritchett (Springfield area) recorded 1.10 inches. Additionally, 0.70 inches were recorded at a USGS gage near Thatcher, CO. A couple rounds of showers over the Palmer Ridge allowed 24-hour totals to reach around 0.50 inches. Flooding was not reported yesterday.

For precipitation estimates in your neighborhood over the last 24 to 72-hours, scroll down to the State Precipitation Map below.

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Issue Date: Monday, June 22nd, 2020
Issue Time: 9:40AM MDT

Summary:

It was another beautiful day across the state with highs in the 90Fs over the western valleys/eastern plains, mid to upper 70Fs over the mountain communities, and 80Fs along the Urban Corridor. Some afternoon storms developed over the northern mountains with a passing shortwave and this helped produce some 50 mph gusts over western Colorado. Max 1-hour rain rates were around 0.25 inches over the Northern Mountains and Front Range. An ALERT gage picked up 0.39 inches near Bear Peak (NCAR Mesa Lab area). Storms moved into the adjacent, eastern plains by the late afternoon, and it got a little windy as the moved into the lower elevations (lack of moisture). Rain rates dropped off and gusts along the I-25 corridor were reported in the 50 to 60 mph range. A few broken limbs were reported near Cherry Creek Reservoir around 6PM associated with an outflow boundary. As expected, there was no flooding reported on Sunday.

The East Canyon fire has now burned 2,900 acres, but the good news is that it is 79% contained (as of Sunday afternoon). That fire has been burning since June 14th and was started by lightning. The Sand Creek Fire, near the Hinsdale and Archuleta County line or 20 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs has now burned 60 acres. This fire was started on June 15th from lightning and is burning in the Little Sand Fire scar (2012).

For precipitation estimates in your neighborhood over the last 24 to 72-hours, scroll down to the State Precipitation Map below.

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