Issue Date: Saturday, September 3rd, 2016
Issue Time: 9:00AM MDT
Summary
Some of the heaviest, prolonged rainfall of the entire 2016 warm season was observed on Friday across the far eastern Plains. A marked disturbance traversed the state, but was relatively low key until it encountered the significant instability and moisture content available in eastern Colorado. Thunderstorms quickly erupted in the Northeast Plains, Palmer Ridge, Southeast Plains and Raton Ridge during the mid-afternoon. The southern end activity produced rainfall up to 1.5 inches, but no official flooding reports were received in this region.
A different story was seen farther northeast. Despite relatively fast storm motion, thunderstorm updrafts began “training” or redeveloping over the same region. This is a relatively rare phenomenon that occurs when low-level inflow and mid/upper-level steering winds are offset in an optimal configuration. Two distinct areas of intense rainfall were noted. First, in Yuma County where an initially severe storm (funnel cloud and moderate hail was reported) turned into a heavy rainfall producer as it slowly propagated east. Over 3 inches of rain fell with this storm with reports up to 5.5 inches reported though this was not confirmed. Flash flooding warnings were posted and remain in effect this morning for area roads and streams. The second and more severe area of heavy rain was farther south in Kit Carson and Cheyenne. Here, widespread amounts over 3 inches were estimated by radar also prompting a large flash flood warning area that extended into Kansas. Numerous reports of flooded roadways were received this morning.
Farther west, scattered showers and a few storms were observed over and west of the Continental Divide. Rainfall amounts in the 0.25 to 0.50 inch range were common with isolated higher amounts in favored higher elevation locations (highest SNOTEL reading was 0.8 inches).
For rainfall estimates specific to your area, check out our Storm Total Precipitation map below.
