SPM 07-05-2022: Rinse and Repeat: Continued High Country Rainfall

Issue Date: Tuesday, July 5th, 2022
Issue Time: 11:00 AM MDT

Summary:

Independence Day was nearly a carbon copy of the synoptic setup of the past several days, albeit with slightly less moisture and instability. Subtropical moisture nonetheless remained overhead, and convection developed over the high country by early afternoon. Storm coverage was less than Sunday owing to the slightly drier atmosphere.

Showers and storms were confined to the mountains, valleys, and foothills across the state, with the eastern Plains remaining largely dry. The heaviest precipitation fell over the Front Range, Urban Corridor, and San Juan Mountains, where amounts of 0.25-0.50” were observed. Isolated totals of 0.75-1.25” were observed under some of the most intense cells, per QPE data.

Sparse storm coverage and lower precipitable water values limited the flooding threat yesterday, with only one Flood Advisory issued for small stream flooding in Larimer County.

Several fires were reported yesterday across the state as a result of firework usage, especially within the Denver metro area. Thankfully, fire crews were able to contain the fires quickly, including this brush fire near Aurora:

Update: 3rd Alarm Fire with homes threatened. Firefighters actively battling this fast moving fire. Gusty outflow winds making the operations especially challenging and dangerous. @ArapahoeSO @AuroraFireDpt pic.twitter.com/QXdROcs6eC

— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) July 5, 2022

There was no flooding reported yesterday. For precipitation estimates in our area, check out the 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 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.