SPM 07-18-2019: Thunderstorms over the Eastern Plains

Issue date: Thursday, July 18, 2019
Issue Time: 9:35AM MDT

Summary:

Convergence along the dryline over the eastern plains produced moderate thunderstorms over the Palmer Ridge and Northeast Plains yesterday afternoon. Radar derived up to 1 inch of rain over Lincoln, Kit Carson and Cheyenne Counties. A surface report from a CWOP station near Hugo in Lincoln county reported the highest accumulation for the day, measuring 0.46 inches. Weak upslope flow over the foothills provided afternoon showers over the Urban Corridor, extending south into Pueblo County. Dry air and quick mid to upper level winds weakened chances for thunderstorms over the area by preventing deep cloud development. CoCoRaHS stations recorded less than 0.16 inches of rain over the area. Storms developed over the eastern San Juan Mountains and drifted over the San Luis Valley, with surface reports of up to 0.12 inches. High temperatures increased from Tuesday’s values, with reports of 106°F over Lamar in Prowers County.

For a look at precipitation over your area, please visit the State Precipitation Map below.

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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.