Issue Date: 7/11/2015
Issue Time: 10:00AM
— Flooding is NOT expected today
— Hikers: please be aware of lightning, even in weaker thunderstorms
Simply stated: the persistent upper-level low off the California coast has been wreaking havoc on weather forecasts. We have noticed that weather models have consistently been trying to dissipate the low, while it has not wavered. In the end, this will result in higher than expected precipitation chances today. However, moisture content has decreased noticeable over the state since Thursday. Morning dewpoint temperatures are in the 40s and 50s, which is relatively high. But precipitable water, a measure of total atmospheric water vapor content, has fallen into the 0.6 to 0.8 range statewide. We expect the highest thunderstorm activity today west of the Divide, over the San Juan, Grand Valley and Central Mountain regions. East of the Divide, a stray storm is possible, but rainfall rates should be relatively light. Flooding is not expected today across Colorado.
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
Northeast Plains, Southeast Plains, Palmer Ridge, Front Range, Urban Corridor, Raton Ridge, Southeast Mountains:
Mostly sunny early, then becoming partly cloudy with isolated to widely scattered possible by mid afternoon. Highest coverage will be over the highest terrain. One hour rain rates up to 0.6 inches will be possible. Flooding is not expected today.
Southwest Slope, San Juans, Grand Valley, Northwest Slope, Northern Mountains, Central Mountains, San Luis Valley:
Mostly sunny early, then becoming partly cloudy with isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms developing over the higher terrain. Storms will spread into valleys by later in the afternoon. Overall, highest storm coverage will be in the San Juans, Central Mountains and Grand Valley region. One hour rain rates up to 0.5 inches will be possible today, along with hail up to 0.5 inches in the strongest storms. No flooding is expected today.
