SPM 05-17-2019: Gusty Winds for Western Colorado and a 97°F High in Lamer

May 17, 2019 by ·

Issue Date: Friday, May 17th, 2019
Issue Time: 9:20AM MDT

Summary:

Despite increasing cloud cover over the state, high temperatures were still well above the seasonal average for another day. With nearly no cloud cover over the far eastern plains, most areas were able to hit above the 90°F mark with Lamar reaching 97°F! Strong surface winds were present over western Colorado and were generally measured in the 20-25 mph range with gusts between 45-60 mph. A gust of 73 mph was recorded over Douglas Pass! Without much low level moisture, storms weren’t able to drop a lot of rainfall. CoCoRaHs in La Plata County recorded between 0.16 and 0.22 inches. The highest observation of the day was in Mineral County where 0.25 inches was recorded. As anticipated, rainfall over the Northeast Plains produced under 0.2 inches. Flooding was not reported on Thursday.

To see precipitation totals from yesterday, scroll down to the State Precipitation Map below. Note the 0.25 inches in Summit County is incorrect. We are working to fix this error.

Click Here For Map Overview

The map below shows radar-estimated, rainfall gage-adjusted Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE) across Colorado. The map is updated daily during the operational season (May 1 – Sep 30) by 11AM. The following six layers are currently available: 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation, as well as maximum 1-hour, 2-hour and 6-hour precipitation over the past 24 hour period (to estimate where flash flooding may have occurred). The 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation contain bias corrections that are not disaggregated into the hourly estimates, so there will likely be some differences. The accumulation ending time is 7AM of the date shown in the bottom right corner. Also shown optionally are vulnerable fire burn areas (post 2012), which are updated throughout the season to include new, vulnerable burn areas. The home button in the top left corner resets the map to the original zoom.
Filed Under: State Precipitation Map ·

SPM 05-16-2019: A Handful of Eastern Colorado Towns Hit 90°F with Hot, Spring Temperatures Statewide

May 16, 2019 by ·

Issue Date: Thursday, May 16th, 2019
Issue Time: 9:10AM MDT

Summary:

Another day of warming under the ridge, means Colorado was able to hit the 90°F mark in Lamar, La Junta, Pueblo, Wray and Greeley. While this benchmark occurred a little early than normal, it is not too unusual. Without much moisture under the ridge, only light showers occurred yesterday. The majority of the totals over the mountains were under 0.1 inches with isolated totals of 0.1 inches over the San Juan Mountains. Storms that formed out east grazed the border counties. With a bit more moisture in place, radar estimated 0.25 inches were able to fall. Only one storm report from yesterday. A gust of 58 mph was recorded at a mesonet in Basalt due to a high-based thunderstorm in the vicinity. There was no flooding reported.

To see precipitation totals from Wednesday, scroll down to the State Precipitation Map below. Please note the 0.5 inches over Summit County is not correct.

Click Here For Map Overview

The map below shows radar-estimated, rainfall gage-adjusted Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE) across Colorado. The map is updated daily during the operational season (May 1 – Sep 30) by 11AM. The following six layers are currently available: 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation, as well as maximum 1-hour, 2-hour and 6-hour precipitation over the past 24 hour period (to estimate where flash flooding may have occurred). The 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation contain bias corrections that are not disaggregated into the hourly estimates, so there will likely be some differences. The accumulation ending time is 7AM of the date shown in the bottom right corner. Also shown optionally are vulnerable fire burn areas (post 2012), which are updated throughout the season to include new, vulnerable burn areas. The home button in the top left corner resets the map to the original zoom.
Filed Under: State Precipitation Map ·

SPM 05-15-2019: Sunshine and Scattered Showers

May 15, 2019 by ·

Issue Date: Wednesday, May 15th, 2019
Issue Time: 9:10AM MDT

Summary:

Colorado was centered under the ridge axis yesterday, which allowed for another day of warm temperatures. Temperatures continued to rise a couple of degrees from Monday, which allowed for melting of the snowpack at the higher elevations. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms popped up over the higher terrains favoring the Front Range and Southeast Mountains. Totals were mostly under 0.1 inches though there were a couple isolated accumulations of 0.25 inches. Moisture was a bit better along the Colorado/Kansas border, and 24-hour totals in Kit Carson County were estimated by radar at 0.5 inches. Over western Colorado, a drier air mass was in place, so there was plentiful virga and some gusty winds. Strong gusts were recorded from two thunderstorms in Meeker (51 mph) and Basalt (56 mph). 24-hour totals west of the Continental Divide were under 0.1 inches. Flooding was not reported on Tuesday.

To see precipitation totals in your neighborhood from Tuesday, scroll down to the State Precipitation Map below.

Click Here For Map Overview

The map below shows radar-estimated, rainfall gage-adjusted Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE) across Colorado. The map is updated daily during the operational season (May 1 – Sep 30) by 11AM. The following six layers are currently available: 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation, as well as maximum 1-hour, 2-hour and 6-hour precipitation over the past 24 hour period (to estimate where flash flooding may have occurred). The 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation contain bias corrections that are not disaggregated into the hourly estimates, so there will likely be some differences. The accumulation ending time is 7AM of the date shown in the bottom right corner. Also shown optionally are vulnerable fire burn areas (post 2012), which are updated throughout the season to include new, vulnerable burn areas. The home button in the top left corner resets the map to the original zoom.
Filed Under: State Precipitation Map ·

SPM 05-14-2019: High Temperatures with Scattered, High-Based Afternoon Storms

May 14, 2019 by ·

Issue Date: Tuesday, May 14th, 2019
Issue Time: 9:00AM MDT

Summary:

Another gorgeous day in the books! Temperatures continued to increase with highs reaching the 80°Fs in the western and eastern plains. A couple spots along the I-25 Corridor also hit the 80°F mark. Melting was able to commence over the mountains with temperatures reaching close to 60°F and many overnight lows remaining above freezing. Scattered storms popped up during the afternoon hours over the higher terrains. Not too much rainfall being reported with the highest totals (0.2 inches) coming from SNOTEL sites in the Northern Mountains. In the adjacent plains, totals were mostly under 0.1 inches with a lot of virga. There was a slight increase in accumulation over the far eastern plains as storms slowly made it out that way, but still not much rainfall. As anticipated, there were some strong gusts as well. A gust of 56mph was reported in La Plata County. Flooding was not reported on Monday.

To see precipitation totals from yesterday, scroll down to the State Precipitation Map below. Please ignore both values in El Paso and Summit Counties, precipitation statewide was under 0.25 inches yesterday.

Click Here For Map Overview

The map below shows radar-estimated, rainfall gage-adjusted Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE) across Colorado. The map is updated daily during the operational season (May 1 – Sep 30) by 11AM. The following six layers are currently available: 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation, as well as maximum 1-hour, 2-hour and 6-hour precipitation over the past 24 hour period (to estimate where flash flooding may have occurred). The accumulation ending time is 7AM of the date shown in the bottom right corner. Also shown optionally are vulnerable fire burn areas (post 2012), which are updated throughout the season to include new, vulnerable burn areas. The home button in the top left corner resets the map to the original zoom.

Note: The 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation do not contain bias corrections today due to errors in the CoCoRaHS data. This means there may be underestimations in QPE over the southwest and southeast corners of the state.

Filed Under: State Precipitation Map ·
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