SPM 06-10-2021: Persisting Hot and Dry Conditions

Issue Date: Thursday, June 10, 2021
Issue Time: 9:15AM MDT

Summary:

There was little change in the large-scale weather pattern yesterday, resulting in another hot and dry day across Colorado. The ridge strengthening in the eastern half of the state limited storm development on the eastern plains, while southwesterly flow brought very dry air to the western half of the state. Flooding was not reported on Thursday. For rainfall estimates in your area, including antecedent conditions, check out the State Precipitation Map at the bottom of today’s post.

This week’s update of the U.S. Drought Monitor is below, which is valid through Tuesday morning. There is little change from last week, and the drastic difference between the eastern and western halves of the state is apparent. Still, there were some small improvements in drought conditions, particularly along the New Mexico Border. However, the area of D4 “exceptional drought” conditions on the Western Slope increased in area by about 1%.

The exceptional drought is taking its toll on water resources. The Yampa, Colorado, Gunnison, Uncompahgre, and Dolores rivers are among many on the western half the state with much below normal (<10th percentile) streamflow this time of year.

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.