SPM 09-14-2017: Gusty Winds and Limited Rainfall

Issue Date: Thursday, September 14, 2017
Issue Time: 11AM MDT

Summary:

Last day with the ridge dominating the Colorado weather pattern. Westerly flow associated with ridge helped mix out even more of the low-level moisture at the surface. Dew points over the eastern plains were in the mid-40s again yesterday with isolated dew points in the low 50s further east. Storm formation yesterday was most abundant over the Front Range, Northern Mountains and Palmer Ridge with more isolated showers over the Southeast Mountains. SE storm movement around the ridge was a bit faster than the previous days. This faster storm motion paired with low surface moisture, limited the 24-hr rainfall totals and produced gusty winds.

The highest storm totals over the mountains were associated with a storm that formed in Grand County. Radar estimates were around 0.5 inches. Storms also formed along a line of convergence associated with the higher terrain of the Palmer Ridge. Radar estimated 1-hr rain rates over Kit Carson and Cheyenne County at 1 inch. A CoCoRaHS station in the area recorded up to 0.65 inches. As expected, these storms produced gusty winds due to the inverted-V atmospheric profile. Burlington airport reported a gust of 26 mph around 3PM yesterday.

There was no flooding reported Wednesday. For rainfall estimates in your area, take a look at the State Precipitation 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 6AM of the date shown in the bottom right corner. Also shown optionally are fire burn areas since 2012. The home button in the top left corner resets the map to the original zoom.

Note: We have identified a possible underestimation in QPE over the southwest part of the state. We are working to on this issue, and will provide an update as soon as possible.