SPM 06-05-2021: Severe Thunderstorms in San Luis Valley

Issue Date: Saturday, June 5, 2021
Issue Time: 9:20AM MDT

Summary:

Yesterday was another especially toasty day across the state, with highs in the 90s along the Westerns Slope and reaching into the upper 80s along the Front Range and Eastern Plains. There was little relief in terms of moisture as the scattered thunderstorms that did form in the southwest were short-lived in nature, producing small hail and only light precipitation totals. The main threat from these storms was gusty outflow winds, and a 55 mph thunderstorm wind gust was recorded at Montrose Regional Airport.

Further east, two severe thunderstorm warnings were issued in the San Juan Luis Valley yesterday evening after radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and up to quarter size hail. Light precipitation was observed with these storms, though totals vary from only a Trace to approximately 0.20” inches in Alamosa and Saguache counties. Remarks from CoCoRaHS observers echo the short-lived nature of the precipitation.

As anticipated, flooding was not reported on Friday. For additional rainfall estimates in your area, check out the State Precipitation Map below.

Click Here For Map Overview

The map below shows radar-estimated, rainfall gage-adjusted Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE) across Colorado. The map is updated daily during the operational season (May 1 – Sep 30) by 11AM. The following six layers are currently available: 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation, as well as maximum 1-hour, 2-hour and 6-hour precipitation over the past 24 hour period (to estimate where flash flooding may have occurred). The 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation contain bias corrections that are not disaggregated into the hourly estimates, so there will likely be some differences. The accumulation ending time is 7AM of the date shown in the bottom right corner. Also shown optionally are vulnerable fire burn areas (post 2012), which are updated throughout the season to include new, vulnerable burn areas. The home button in the top left corner resets the map to the original zoom.