SPM 06-12-2019: Light Rain in the Northeast with Minor Flooding and Rapid Snowmelt in the Southwest

Issue Date: Wednesday, June 12^th, 2019
Issue Time: 10:35AM MDT

Summary:

Rainfall returned yesterday to the northeast quadrant of the state on Tuesday as a cold front, aided by the left exit region of the jet stream, provided lift and moisture for the storms. CoCoRaHS stations reported 0.01-0.09 inches of rain across the Northeast Plains, and northern portions of the Front Range and Urban Corridor. Precipitation began midday and continued overnight, measuring just under 0.25 inches in Larimer, Washington and Yuma counties. Downward motion and lack of low-level moisture kept the rest of the state dry. High temperatures decreased slightly in the northern half of the state as a result of cloud cover and the passing cold front from the north. The southern half of the state saw an increase in high temperatures due to downward motion, clearing skies, and an incoming high pressure system.

Clear skies and high temperatures approaching 80°F over the valleys of the high country allowed for continued snowmelt. A Flood Warning was issued (and remains in effect) for central Sagauche County and the Rio Grande River near Del Norte. Areal Flood Advisories were issued for the following: Tomichi Creek at Gunnison, Eagle River at Red Cliff, Central Hinsdale County, Colorado River near CO-UT state line, Los Pinos River near Bayfield, San Juan River at Pagosa Springs, La Plata River at Hesperus, Green River near Jensen, Mancos River near Mancos, Animas River at Durango.

AHPS gages currently at Action or Minor Flooding Stages:

Rio Grande near Del Norte (Minor Flooding)
Rio Grande at Alamosa
Mancos River near Mancos
Navajo River near Chromo
La Plata River above Hesperus
Tomichi Creek at Gunnison
Arkansas River at Salida
Arkansas River at Wellsville
Arkansas River at Canon City
Arkansas River at Avondale (dropped below minor flooding overnight)
Gunnison River near Grand Junction

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.