Issue Date: 5/23/2015
Issue Time: 9:10 AM
Friday was just another run of the mill weather day in Colorado. Just like the ones we have grown accustomed to in May. You know, just a normal day when snow, cold rains, heavy rains, hail, lightning, a funnel cloud, flood warnings and a taste of summer heat are all reported across the state!
Before we get to yesterday’s weather round-up, we spent some time reflecting on the rainy May thus far. The map below shows the number of rainy days that have been observed across the state since May 1st. The numbers are quite impressive: portions of Larimer, Boulder and Jefferson counties have observed rain on every single day in May! At the end of the month, we will check records to see where this kind of feat stands. Many other locations across the state have observed rain more than 14 out of the 22 May days. Very impressive, given our state’s semi-arid climate.
A disturbance moved out of the state before noon yesterday, but clearing in its wake allowed temperatures to jump from the 40s and 50s to the 60s and 70s, leading quickly to thunderstorms. Once again, most all places had limited instability so that rainfall did not cause any problems. General rainfall of 0.25 to 0.75 inches was spread out across several hours both east and west of the Continental Divide. However, along the Palmer Ridge, many factors came together to produce efficient rainfall-producing thunderstorms by early afternoon. Rainfall amounts up to 1 inch were common across Douglas and Elbert counties. Farther east, though, rain rates up to 1.5 inches per hour over a several hour period prompted flash flood warnings over Kit Carson and Yuma counties. There, rainfalls up to 2.3 inches were noted, with higher amounts up to 3-4 inches noted by radar estimates over sparsely populated areas. See our rainfall map below.
In addition to rainfall, elevations above 10,000 feet noted a trace to several inches of wet snow as temperatures hovered right near the freezing mark. From a different angle, the cold upper-level temperatures also helped bring hail suspended in thunderstorm updrafts down to the surface. An observer in Mesa County noted 1 inch hail, while 0.75 inch hail was reported in Pueblo County.
One official flooding report came in yesterday: flash flooding was observed in Kit Carson county late in the afternoon. County roads 36 and 34 were nearly impassable close to Bethune, CO.
As always, please check the map below for estimated rainfall in your area.
