Issue Date: Thursday, September 22nd, 2016
Issue Time: 9:00 AM MDT

Summary:

Moisture continued its steady increase across much of the state as a result of persistent southwesterly flow aloft. The better moisture, combined with slightly better upper-level dynamics, led to an afternoon and evening of scattered showers/thunderstorms (with isolated showers continuing overnight), mainly across the higher terrain and western slope. Additionally, a few scattered showers/storms rumbled across portions of the Southeast Plains and Raton Ridge during the late afternoon and through the overnight hours. Rain rates were tempered by much of the moisture residing between 2 km and 4 km above the ground, with drier low-levels able to choke off heavy rain with evaporation. No flash flooding, or related issues, occurred.

For a statewide look at 24-hour precipitation totals, please take a look at the Storm Total Precipitation map below.

Issue Date: Wednesday, September 21st, 2016
Issue Time: 9:15AM MDT

Summary:

A cut-off upper-level trough slowly approached Colorado on Tuesday, bringing with it mostly clouds but little in the way of rainfall. West of the Continental Divide, precipitable water values rose dramatically over the past 24-hours. For example, Grand Junction went from about 0.3 inches Tuesday morning to about 1.0 inch of Wednesday morning. However, most of this moisture was being held in the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere. Nonetheless, scattered showers increased in coverage in the afternoon and evening hours on Tuesday, continuing into the overnight hours. With little instability for convective rainfall, total precipitation amounts were limited to about 0.4 inches in the San Juans. A trace to 0.25 inches of rain fell farther north in the Central Mountains.

East of the Divide, a rather thick cloud deck tried to limit heating but afternoon temperatures still warmed to 5-15F above normal. The highest temperatures were found in the lower elevations of the Arkansas River and South Platte River valleys where several locations notched highs in the mid-90s F.

Flooding was not reported on Tuesday. For rainfall estimates specific to your area, check out our Storm Total Precipitation map below.

Issue Date: Tuesday, September 20th, 2016
Issue Time: 9:00 AM MDT

Summary:

Persistent ridging aloft defined yesterday’s weather pattern, resulting in dry conditions statewide. High temperatures remained unseasonably warm, with some locations approaching the low 90’s across the lower elevations of eastern Colorado. Mid- and high-level clouds made a return during the evening and overnight hours from the southwest, as moisture aloft began to be rotated into the region from Tropical Storm Paine. Radar returns early this morning show weak echoes across the higher terrain of southwest Colorado; surface observations do not show any precipitation reaching the surface, indicating that it is likely virga and nothing more.

For a statewide look at 24-hour precipitation totals, please take a look at the Storm Total Precipitation map below.

Issue Date: Monday, September 19th, 2016
Issue Time: 9:00 AM MDT

Summary:

As the trough that has been affecting weather across Colorado for the last several days moved eastward out of the area, ridging aloft and a strong surface high defined the weather yesterday. Moisture levels remained low as well as drier air moved in from the west. The combination of a lack of support aloft and low moisture levels prevented any development of precipitation and led to a very dry day across the entire forecast area.

For a closer look at rainfall totals in your area, please see the STP map below for a look at 24-hour precipitation totals.