State Precipitation Map

SPM 08-04-2017: Burn Scar Flash Flooding Near Hayden Pass

August 4, 2017 by Dana McGlone ·

Issue Date: Friday, August 4, 2017
Issue Time: 10:10AM MDT

Summary:

Early morning showers from the previous night lingered over the Central Mountains and eastern plains. Strong northwesterly flow helped moved these storms to the SE throughout the morning, and they eventually exited the state by early afternoon. These storms stabilized the atmosphere over the San Juan Mountains, portions of the Front Range and far Southeast Plains. Thunderstorm from yesterday that moved into these regions quickly dissipated. Around 1PM diurnal heating created an upslope pattern and storms began to initiate over the high country starting in the north. The heavier rainfall and stronger thunderstorms formed over the Southeast Mountains, which had higher instability and more availability to moisture. As the storms moved to the SE off the higher terrain, they found themselves in a favorable environment over Elbert and Lincoln Counties. A cluster of strong storms formed that were able to produce heavy, local precipitation. Storms began to quiet down quickly after sunset, though some isolated showers were able to lingering overnight in the mountains.

Both the thunderstorms over Elbert County and the Southeast Mountains had areal flood advisories issued for heavy rainfall. Over the plains, 1-hour rainfall was as high as 1.5 inches. Storm total rainfall was estimated at 2.8 inches. In the high country, most CoCoRaHS and SNOTEL stations recorded about 0.5 inches of rainfall for the 24-hour period. However, rainfall estimates were as high as 1.5 inches. A Flash Flood Warning was issued for the Hayden burn scar. Flash flooding occurred in the area of Dinkle Ditch, and Dinkle Ditch Road was washed out. There was high water reported in all the nearby creeks due to the runoff from the burn scar. An aerial flood advisory was issued for the Junkins burn scar as well, but, fortunately, there were no flooding reports as of this morning over that area.

For rainfall estimates in your area, scroll down and take a look at the State Precipitation Map below.

Filed Under: State Precipitation Map ·

SPM 08-03-2017: Late Night Cold Front Delivers Overnight Thunderstorms for Urban Corridor

August 3, 2017 by Dana McGlone ·

Issue Date: Thursday, August 3, 2017
Issue Time: 10:15AM MDT

Summary:

Yesterday’s rainfall was associated with a couple different features. Over the mountains, storms were triggered by upslope flow midday. These storms were not accompanied by much moisture, so their rainfall totals were limited and mostly produced gusty winds. Over the eastern plains, thunderstorms began to form along the first boundary around 4PM. With better moisture, instability and shear, these storms quickly became severe and had large hail up to 2 inches in diameter. The fast moving pace of the storms to the SSE limited how much rainfall they were actually able to drop. Lastly, overnight the cold front pushed through the state and produced thunderstorms over the Front Range and Urban Corridor.

While the moisture in the atmosphere was limited yesterday, there were a couple flash flood warnings and areal advisories for the Southeast Mountains over the Haden Pass and Junkins burn scars. Radar total storm estimates are 1.5 inches. Over the San Jan Mountains, the Lily Pond SNOTEL station near Jasper captured 1.1 inches with a 1-hour total of 0.8 inches. Over the Northeast Plains, total rainfall was estimated at 2.2 inches with 1-hour rain rates up to 1.5 inches. Two Flood Warnings were issued, but there were no flooding reports as of this morning. The only storm reports were strong outflow winds breaking off tree limbs in Cheyenne County. Lastly, the cold front that passed though overnight had rainfall amounts over 1 inch an hour with 0.5 inches in 10 minutes over a couple of locations in the UDFCD Alert mesonet. Both Lakewood Gulch and Illif Pond hit their upper limits, but no flooding was reported. Cherry Creek continues to run high this morning, but is expected to recover throughout the morning. Scattered storms continued this morning over the eastern plains along and near the upper-level disturbance.

Flooding was not reported on Wednesday. For rainfall estimates in your neighborhood, take a peek at the State Precipitation Map below.

Filed Under: State Precipitation Map ·

SPM 08-02-2017: Isolated T-Storms But Rain Rates Limited

August 2, 2017 by Dima Smirnov ·

Issue Date: Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Issue Time: 10:55AM MDT

Summary:

After the long string of heavy rainfall since mid-July, it was nice (at least for us!) to see a break in the activity. With drier west-northwesterly flow, storm coverage once again took a step down on Tuesday. However, isolated to scattered thunderstorms once again dotted areas east of the Continental Divide. Similar to Monday, coverage was highest in two separate area. First, along the foothills of the Rockies where several storms produced as much as 1 inch of rainfall in Park, Chaffee and Fremont counties. Second, farther east, storms produced 0.25 to 0.7 inches of rainfall in Sedgwick, Prowers and Baca counties. In general, rainfall rates were lower than Monday due to faster south-southeasterly steering winds.

To the west of the Continental Divide, isolated showers and weak storms were mostly limited to the southern faces of the San Juan peaks. Up to 0.25 inches of rainfall we observed by CoCoRaHS volunteers in San Miguel, Montezuma and La Plata counties.

Flooding was not reported on Tuesday. For rainfall estimates in your area, check out our State Precipitation Map below.

Filed Under: State Precipitation Map ·

SPM 08-01-2017: Heavy Rainfall Coverage Takes Large Downward Step

August 1, 2017 by Dima Smirnov ·

Issue Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Issue Time: 10:15AM MDT

Summary:

With a changing weather pattern marked by substantial dry air being imported into Colorado, heavy rainfall intensity and coverage dropped accordingly. Nonetheless, scattered thunderstorms still formed across eastern Colorado. Coverage was roughly separated into two areas: one closer to the foothills and higher elevations, and the other farther east on the plains where there was better moisture. Despite faster storm motion than past days, a quick 1 to 1.5 inches of rainfall in 60-90 minutes was common with the strongest cells. With the saturated soils in southeast Colorado, numerous Areal Flood Advisories were issued along the I-25 corridor between Colorado Springs and Walsenburg. Another, more isolated cell, formed over Chaffee County where a few reports of over 1 inch of rainfall were received. Scattered shower and thunderstorms were also observed over the southern San Juans. A few CoCoRaHS reports between 0.5 and 0.75 inches were tallied this morning.

Finally, with the recent heavy rainfall in the Southeast Plains, many tributaries along the Arkansas River rose. The most notable was the Purgatoire River where a distinct river crest formed late Sunday. This crest made it to the Arkansas River confluence this morning (see below), but stayed below Minor flood stage.

Fortunately, flooding was not officially reported as of this morning. For rainfall estimates in your area, check out our State Precipitation Map below.

Filed Under: State Precipitation Map ·