Issue Date: Friday, June 17th, 2016
Issue Time: 10:28AM MDT

— Low flood threat for Urban Corridor, Northeast Plains and Palmer Ridge

As seen in the water vapor image, below, the ridge that has been an on and off staple for the past few weeks continues to hold across the Rocky Mountains states. However, a low pressure system is found over the eastern Dakotas that is leading a cool, moist front southward and eastward. This front has already arrived in northeast CO in the form of higher low-level moisture. However, the brunt of the deeper moisture, possibly associated with an organized outflow boundary from this afternoon’s expected convection across the Great Plains, will arrive in the later afternoon and evening hours. Thus, a few isolated heavy rainfall storms will be possible, first during the late afternoon near the Kansas border and then farther west across the northern Palmer Ridge and surrounding areas. A Low flood threat has been issued.

For all other areas, another warm and dry day is expected with ample sunshine. We have removed the riverine flood threat today as all snowmelt-related runoff has now peaked with streams receding. Meanwhile, the wildfire threat continues along and west of the Continental Divide today.

Today’s Flood Threat Map

For more information on today’s flood threat, see the map below (hover over threat areas for more details). For Zone-Specific forecasts, scroll below the map.

Issue Date: 6/16/2016
Issue Time: 9:05 AM

A LOW FLOOD THREAT CONTINUES FOR PORTIONS OF THE GREEN RIVER IN WEST CENTRAL MOFFAT COUNTY, THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER IN LARIMER COUNTY AND WELD COUNTY, AND THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER IN WELD COUNTY.

Not much change over yesterday’s weather forecast, except that moisture has started out significantly lower this morning. Take a look at the IPW graph below and you’ll notice that moisture completely bottomed out early this morning at all 4 of the normal reporting stations (Boulder, Grand Junction, Pueblo, and Schriever AFB). The strong upper-level ridge centered over the central US will continue to transport dry, hot air into Colorado from the desert southwest. Abundant sunshine will be the main weather story as temperatures climb a few degrees higher than yesterday.

A couple of fire weather notes are necessary with the dry conditions. Low relative humidity, dry fuels, and gusty winds will continue the Red Flag Warning across extreme western Colorado. Across eastern Colorado (south of I-70), skies will be a bit hazy today as south-southwest flow aloft transports smoke from the Dog Head Fire (located southeast of Albuquerque, NM) into the region.

Today’s Flood Threat Map

For more information on today’s flood threat, see the map below (hover over threat areas for more details). For Zone-Specific forecasts, jump below the map.

Zone-Specific Forecasts

Urban Corridor, Northeast Plains, Palmer Ridge, Raton Ridge, and Southeast Plains:

Sunny, hot, and dry will be the main weather story today. Temperatures will be a few degrees warmer than yesterday, with southeastern Colorado (along and south of Highway 50) flirting with triple digits. A few locations will break the century mark, especially in the Arkansas River Valley. Overnight, skies will be clear with overnight lows comparable to last night, perhaps a touch warmer.

Front Range, Northern Mountains, Northwest Slope, Central Mountains, Grand Valley, Southeast Mountains, Southwest Slope, San Juan Mountains, and San Luis Valley:

Much like the other regions above, today will be sunny, dry, and hot across the area. A couple of fair weather cumulus clouds may be noted over the higher terrain, but the lack of moisture will make them very sparse. Red Flag Warnings have been issued for portions of the Northwest Slope, Grand Valley, Central Mountains, Southwest Slope, and San Juan Mountains.

Issue Date: 6/15/2016
Issue Time: 9:17 AM

A LOW FLOOD THREAT CONTINUES FOR PORTIONS OF THE GREEN RIVER IN WEST CENTRAL MOFFAT COUNTY, THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER IN LARIMER COUNTY AND WELD COUNTY, AND THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER IN WELD COUNTY.

The water vapor image below tells the weather story of the day, and it sure is a short story. Upper-level ridging will continue to build across the central US, and deep southwesterly flow aloft will continue to pull hot, dry air into Colorado. With this setup in place, there is no chance of precipitation and only a few high clouds will scrape northern Colorado where there is *slightly* better moisture.

Gusty winds will accompany the hot and dry conditions, especially across western Colorado. Low-level relative humidity values will be critically low, with widespread values less than 15%. Due to this, Red Flag Warnings have been issued for areas along and near the western CO border. Stay tuned to the local National Weather Service offices to find out the exact area under the Red Flag Warning, and for updates on any changing fire weather conditions.

Today’s Flood Threat Map

For more information on today’s flood threat, see the map below (hover over threat areas for more details). For Zone-Specific forecasts, jump below the map.

Zone-Specific Forecasts

Urban Corridor, Northeast Plains, Palmer Ridge, Raton Ridge, and Southeast Plains:

Hot, sunny, and dry is the weather story of the day. Temperatures will be in the upper 80s and 90s for most areas, with a few locations reaching near 100 F in the Arkansas River Valley.

Front Range, Northern Mountains, Northwest Slope, Central Mountains, Grand Valley, Southeast Mountains, Southwest Slope, San Juan Mountains, and San Luis Valley:

Much like the other regions above, today will be sunny, dry, and hot across the area. Red Flag Warnings have been issued for portions of the Northwest Slope, Grand Valley, Central Mountains, Southwest Slope, and San Juan Mountains.

Issue Date: 6/14/2016
Issue Time: 9:15 AM

A LOW FLOOD THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE GREEN RIVER IN WEST CENTRAL MOFFAT COUNTY, THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER AT THE CANYON MOUTH AFFECTING LARIMER COUNTY, AND THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER NEAR GREELEY AFFECTING WELD COUNTY.

The upper-level low that helped produce the active day yesterday has moved on to the east, and upper-level ridging has begun to build back over the region. South-southwesterly winds aloft have transported drier air across Colorado, while westerly winds in the low-levels will promote further drying near the surface. The result will be dry conditions nearly statewide, with abundant sunshine overhead. Temperatures will climb back to near normal readings, with a few locations across southern Colorado stepping just above average.

Isolated, high-based clouds will develop over the higher terrain today as daytime heating and orographic influences work on shallow, remaining moisture. The higher peaks may see a sprinkle, perhaps a couple lightning strikes, but nothing more is expected. Warming aloft will keep any thunderstorm development shallow and uneventful.

Today’s Flood Threat Map

For more information on today’s flood threat, see the map below (hover over threat areas for more details). For Zone-Specific forecasts, jump below the map.

Zone-Specific Forecasts

Urban Corridor, Northeast Plains, Palmer Ridge, Raton Ridge, and Southeast Plains:

Sunny and dry is the story of today. High temperatures will be in the 70s for higher elevations of the Palmer Ridge and Raton Ridge, ranging into the 80s and near 90 F for the rest of the area. A few locations in the Arkansas River Valley will reach into the low 90s. Overnight lows will dip back into the seasonably cool range thanks to dry air and clear skies.

Front Range, Northern Mountains, Northwest Slope, Central Mountains, Grand Valley, Southeast Mountains, Southwest Slope, San Juan Mountains, and San Luis Valley:

Mostly sunny and dry will be the main story today, with a few isolated, high-based clouds developing over the higher terrain. A sprinkle here and there plus a couple lightning strikes will be all the storms can muster. Otherwise, temperatures will warm back to normal readings for the date.

Timing: 11 AM – 8 PM