Issue Date: Monday, May 9th, 2022
Issue Time: 9:45AM MDT
— Flooding is NOT expected today
— Widespread Red Flag Warnings in effect
The large trough over the Pacific Northwest will continue to churn over that area for the next 24-hours, so we’re looking at a similar set up to yesterday with a few minor changes. The surface Low from yesterday has moved into central Nebraska, and northerly winds behind it have created cooler conditions for areas north of I-70. While dew points in this area are only moderate (30Fs and 40Fs), there’s enough residual moisture and mid-level instability from the jet to generate some weak showers and snowfall over the Northern Mountains and northern Front Range. PW values remain meager today, but there is likely just enough moisture to continue this light precipitation through the early afternoon hours. However, once again, only minimal accumulation is forecast, so there is NO flood threat issued.
To the south of this area, dry and windy conditions are forecast to persist. Very strong southwest winds continue at the mid and upper levels over the state this morning. There was already a gust of 52 mph recorded above Antero Reservoir in Park County, and dust can be seen in the visible satellite imagery below. With a little more daytime heating, stronger winds will be quick to mix down to the surface. With windy conditions continuing, and the dry air mass overhead, very high fire danger will continue for areas south of the orange dashed line below. This means another round of Red Flag Warnings have been issued. One other minor difference from yesterday is that the trough will begin to dig south later this afternoon, which should give the southwest surface winds across the state a slightly more southerly component. Unlike yesterday, winds will begin to decouple by later this afternoon, so there will be a break in windy conditions for most until tomorrow.
Today’s Flood Threat Map
For more information on today’s flood threat, see the map below. If there is a threat, hover over the threat areas for more details, and click on burn areas to learn more about them. For Zone-Specific forecasts, scroll below the threat map.
Zone-Specific Forecasts:
Northern Mountains, Front Range, Grand Valley, Northwest Slope, Urban Corridor & Northeast Plains:
Light showers and snow are falling over portions of the Northern Mountains and northern Front Range this morning. There’s just enough moisture that this scattered precipitation could persist through the early afternoon hours. It’s unlikely any rainfall will survive over the northern Urban Corridor today. Isolated totals up to 0.40 inches may be possible again over the Northern Mountains. Flooding is NOT expected. High temperatures are forecast in the 70Fs for the lower elevations east/west and low 60Fs are forecast over the mountains/Northwest Slope.
Windy and dry conditions are forecast for the southern Front Range and Urban Corridor by midday. A Red Flag Warning has been issued with gusts up to 35 mph possible.
Primetime: Ongoing to 1PM
Palmer Ridge, Southeast Plains, Southeast Mountains, Raton Ridge, Central Mountains, San Luis Valley, San Juan Mountains, & Southwest Slope:
Extreme fire danger continues through this evening, so Red Flag Warnings have been issued for all or portions of these forecast zones. A High Wind Warning continues through noon for the south-central mountains and Southeast Mountains. Winds begin to decrease by later this afternoon and should decouple or stop for most areas by this evening. The exception is over the southern Southeast Mountains and southern eastern San Juan Mountains where gusts may continue overnight. Too dry for any rainfall, so flooding is NOT forecast. Be sure to tune into your local NWS office for the details pertaining to fire danger over your area. High temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 60Fs and 70Fs west and upper 80Fs/low 90Fs east (lower elevations). Mountain valleys will likely reach the low to mid-60Fs.
