SPM 09-08-2021: Record High Temperature Set in Alamosa

Issue Date: Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
Issue Time: 9:40 AM MDT

Summary:

We are definitely settled in under the high-pressure ridge to the west, with little change in the weather pattern from the day before. Northwest flow around the ridge has brought hot and dry air, along with plenty of wildfire smoke to Colorado. Not a drop of rainfall was reported across the state yesterday between both CoCoRaHS observers and NWS gages, thanks to the limited moisture and sinking air. The small area of what appears to be rain in the SPM below in the Northeast Plains is actually a radar artifact due to wind turbines.

The presence of smoke and other pollutants has drastically reduced air quality, and nearly all of Western and Northern Colorado, including the Urban Corridor, is under an air quality advisory. Meteorologist Lauren Whitney shared the following view from Lookout Mountain yesterday morning, with Downtown Denver completely hidden from view.

Terrible view from Lookout Mountain. The smoke and pollution are so thick today across the Front Range. The smoke is also really bad for western Colorado and the mountains. #cowx #4wx pic.twitter.com/f3sKqDGGGi

— Lauren Whitney (@LaurenCBS4) September 7, 2021

In addition to the smoke, yesterday was unseasonably hot for much of the state. Alamosa reached 87 degrees yesterday, breaking the day’s previous record high of 86 (which was set just last year). High temperatures, low humity, and gusty winds have been unhelpful for fire-fighting efforts within the well as well.

The high temperature in Alamosa today was 87F. This sets a new record high temperature for September 7th, breaking the previous record of 86 degrees set in 1945, 1959 and 2020. #cowx pic.twitter.com/JSbUEE6fFj

— NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) September 7, 2021

As expected, no flooding was reported on Tuesday.

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 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.