Issue Date: 9/1/2019
Issue Time: 7:10 AM
NO FLOOD THREAT IS FORECAST TODAY.
The first day of Meteorological Fall is going to feel more like the middle of summer today, as strong high pressure sits overtop the southwestern United States. High temperatures will be a couple degrees warmer than yesterday and will flirt with record highs in a few locations. The heat and abundant sunshine will be the main weather story today, while the sidebar will be a couple isolated, high-based thunderstorms. The strong high pressure will suppress most thunderstorm activity, but there are two areas to mention:
Front Range, Southeast Mountains, San Juan Mountains, Raton Ridge, and immediately adjacent areas along I-25 and south of I-70: Strong daytime heating and orographic effects will be the driving forces behind a couple isolated thunderstorms. Gusty winds, cloud-to-ground lightning, and brief periods of light-to-moderate rainfall will be the main impacts. Small hail will be possible in stronger storms.
Palmer Ridge, Northeast Plains, and northern Southeast Plains: A weak dryline will result in some surface convergence over the area, although it remains to be seen whether there will be enough to overcome the strong high pressure aloft. One or two isolated thunderstorms cannot be ruled out. IF a storm (or two) forms, the main impacts will be gusty winds, brief periods of light-to-moderate rainfall, cloud-to-ground lightning, and hail up to 1.0 inches in diameter.
For more details on timing and rain rates, please see the zone-specific forecasts below.
Today’s Flood Threat Map
For more information on today’s flood threat, see the map below. For Zone-Specific forecasts, jump below the map.
Zone-Specific Forecasts
Urban Corridor, Northeast Plains, Southeast Plains, Palmer Ridge, and Raton Ridge:
Mostly sunny skies and hot temperatures will be the main weather story today. A couple isolated, high-based thunderstorms will rumble over areas adjacent to the higher terrain and south of I-70. A couple thunderstorms are also possible along a weak dryline over the Northeast Plains, Palmer Ridge, and Southeast Plains.
Brief periods of light-to-moderate rainfall (less than 0.25 inches/hour), gusty winds, and hail (up to 1.0 inches over the Plains, smaller near the higher terrain) are the main threats.
Timing: 2 PM – 11 PM
Front Range, Southeast Mountains, San Juan Mountains, and Southwest Slope:
Mostly sunny skies will rule the start of the day, with fair weather cumulus building through the afternoon and early evening hours. A few isolated thunderstorms will develop thanks to daytime heating and orographic effects, mainly south of I-70. Gusty winds, brief periods of light rainfall (less 0.15 inches/hour), and cloud-to-ground lightning will be the main impacts from any thunderstorm development.
Timing: Noon – 9 PM
Northern Mountains, Northwest Slope, Grand Valley, Central Mountains, and San Luis Valley:
Plenty of sunshine and hot temperatures are expected, with a few clouds bubbling over the mountains during the heat of the afternoon. The San Luis Valley will see some high clouds from isolated storms over nearby mountains.
