SPM 05-23-2019: Isolated Storms for Western Colorado with Rainfall/Snow Increasing Early this Morning

Issue Date: Thursday, May 23rd, 2019
Issue Time: 9:15AM MDT

Summary:

There was a break in the rainfall for eastern Colorado between the two troughs on Wednesday. Residual moisture and upslope flow combined for some light shower activity over the Front Range. SNOTEL indicating totals were up to 0.75 inches along the Divide in Park County where 4-6 inches of snow were recorded. Elsewhere, totals were between 0.1 and 0.3 inches with 2 inches of snow reported at Rabbit Ears Pass. The deepening system over the Desert Southwest helped initiate scattered storms over western Colorado in two distinct waves. One occurred yesterday afternoon into the evening, and the other began early this morning as the upper jet moved into the region. Hail (0.25 inches) and gusts (45 mph) were reported with some stronger afternoon storms over the lower, western valleys. Total precipitation this morning was measured at 0.5 inches in western Garfield County and over NE Montezuma County. Elsewhere, totals along the western border and western high terrains were between 0.1 and 0.25 inches. Flooding was not reported.

To see precipitation totals from Wednesday in your neighborhood, scroll down to 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 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour total precipitation contain bias corrections that are not disaggregated into the hourly estimates, so there will likely be some differences. 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.