Issue Date: Monday, May 7, 2018
Issue Time: 9:00AM MDT
— Flooding is NOT expected today
The ridging pattern present over the past few days begins to briefly break down this afternoon through Tuesday. This upper disturbance will provide lift for some isolated showers over the higher terrains, but only negligible rainfall is expected. The best coverage for high-elevation showers will be over the Central Mountains and southern Front Range. Currently, the visible imagery (below) shows statewide, high cloud cover associated with the approaching trough. The cloud cover will continue to increase through this afternoon and evening as the disturbance moves east to west across the state. More westerly flow over the Front Range and Southeast Mountains will continue to dry out the mid-levels, so any showers that form, will quickly dissipate. Despite the high clouds, high temperatures today will be 10-15F above normal. There is a slight chance for an isolated thunderstorm over the Northeast Plains, where the moisture is able to hold on a bit with more southerly flow. However, dew points in the mid to upper 40s will cause more gusty winds than heavy rainfall. Flooding is not expected.
Today’s Flood Threat Map
For more information on today’s flood threat, see the map below. For Zone-Specific forecasts, scroll below the map.
Zone-Specific Forecasts:
Palmer Ridge, Southeast Mountains, Raton Ridge, Front Range, Central Mountains, Urban Corridor, Northeast Plains, Southeast Plains:
Cloudy this morning with increasing cloudiness this afternoon. An isolated storm over the Northeast Plains is possible this evening, but the main threat will be gusty winds and lightning. 1-hour rain rates up to 0.4 inches are possible under the core of the stronger storms, but only if they are able to break through the cap. Over the high country, rain totals are expected to be under 0.1 inches with the highest coverage over the Central and Front Range Mountains. Flooding is not expected today.
Primetime: 2PM to 10PM
Northwest Slope, Grand Valley, Southwest Slope, Northern Mountains, San Luis Valley, San Juan Mountains:
Very warm again today with upper level clouds increasing through this afternoon and evening. Dry air will limit shower activity to the higher terrains today. Totals are expected to be under 0.1 inches with highest coverage over the northern San Juan Mountains. Flooding is not expected today.
Primetime: 2PM to 8PM
