Category Archives: Colorado Weather

Colorado Weather, Natural Disasters, Thornton Weather

Interactive map: Rainfall totals from Colorado’s September 2013 flood event

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Damage in Jamestown on September 15, 2013. (Boulder OEM)
Damage in Jamestown on September 15, 2013. See the map of rainfall totals from the flooding event below. Click the image to view a photo slideshow of the devastation. (Boulder OEM)

By the numbers, the rainfall experienced across northeastern Colorado since Monday, September 9 has been nothing short of extraordinary.  Over the span of a week, many locations received half of what they normally receive in an entire year.  Some received more than what they expect annually.

We have created and interactive map (below) that shows precipitation totals from Monday, September 9, 2013 to Monday, September 16, 2013.  The numbers are totals as reported by CoCoRaHS volunteers – the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network.

Looking at the map, it is clear that the Boulder area received the most with one station recording an astonishing 21.13” over the 7 day timespan.  The official station in Boulder has recorded 16.69” inches this month and 29.65” for the year. These numbers break Boulder’s monthly record and its annual precipitation record.

Denver’s official station at Denver International Airport (DIA) has recorded 4.65 inches this month, enough to put September 2013 in the books as the 2nd wettest on record.  However, that total hardly reflects what locations closer to the city’s center received with many recording over 7” this month.

Here in Thornton we have seen 8.85” of rain so far this month, an extraordinary total that brings our total for 2013 to 18.81”.  This is clearly the biggest month and year for precipitation since ThorntonWeather.com came online in 2007 and likely the biggest month ever in Thornton.

If you have a hard time viewing the map in the window below, click here to launch a larger version.

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Colorado Weather, Natural Disasters, Thornton Weather

In pictures: Colorado’s record-setting September 2013 rains and flooding

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Colorado National Guardsmen respond to floods in Boulder County, Colo., Sept.12, 2013. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. Joseph K. VonNida/RELEASED)
Colorado National Guardsmen respond to floods in Boulder County, Colo., Sept.12, 2013. See more images from Colorado’s devastating September 2013 floods in the slideshow below. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. Joseph K. VonNida/RELEASED)

September 2013 will forever be etched in the memory of all Coloradans as one which brought amazing destruction – and death.  Images of the truly historical event tell the story of the damage in the aftermath but also show the indomitable human spirit and the willingness of Americans to come together and help in times of need.

Northeastern Colorado has a surprisingly arid climate but also is an environment ripe for extreme weather events like the rain and floods we  experienced.

The cost and final death toll from the floods will be determined in the coming days, weeks and months but we know already this is one for the record books.

The September 2013 event lasted multiple days and effects were felt from the mountains and foothills to the flat eastern plains.  Many locations saw rainfall totals over four days equal to half of what they normally receive in an entire year.

The images in the slideshow below were gathered from a variety of sources.  If you have photos to share, please email them to info@thorntonweather.com and we will add them.

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Colorado Weather, Natural Disasters

Raw video: Colorado’s flooding in Boulder and Estes Park

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Water flows over the banks of the South Platte River into Sprat-Platte Lake near Thornton on the afternoon of September 12, 2013. Click for a larger view. (Ed Dalton)
Water flows over the banks of the South Platte River into Sprat-Platte Lake near Thornton on the afternoon of September 12, 2013. Click for a larger view. (Ed Dalton)

What has been called a 100-year storm and even referred to as being of ‘biblical’ proportions is very slowly coming to an end.  The worst of the rain fell on Thursday, September 12 with locations in Colorado’s foothills reporting in excess of 8 inches of rainfall.

Among the hardest hit areas were the college town of Boulder and picturesque Estes Park.  Both cities have seen extensive flooding and damage totals across the state will be well into the tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars.

The two videos below capture the raging waters as they pummeled the communities.

The first video shows Boulder as well as some commentary by Gov. John Hickenlooper.  The second is of downtown Estes Park.

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Colorado Weather, Photography

Our view while on vacation in southwestern Colorado

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Many folks noticed the lack of new stories post last week other than a photo or two on our Facebook page.  We took the week off for some much needed R & R and were able to enjoy one of our favorite parts of the state.

The image below was taken in Gunnison National Forest a little ways north of Taylor Reservoir.  In the foreground is Lilly Pond, in the background the Collegiate Peaks.

The stunning greens and blues truly were as bright as the image shows.  While rain was far too prevalent for our liking during our time in the area, the scenery was amazing.

Lilly Pond and the Collegiate Peaks in Gunnison National Forest (ThorntonWeather.com).
Lilly Pond and the Collegiate Peaks in Gunnison National Forest (ThorntonWeather.com). Click for a larger view.
Colorado Weather

Mid-summer snow dusts Loveland Ski Area

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July 18, 2013 - Loveland Ski Area received a dusting of snow. While a bit unusual in mid-summer, certainly not unheard of given an altitude at the base of 10,800 feet. (Loveland Ski Area)
July 18, 2013 – Loveland Ski Area received a dusting of snow. While a bit unusual in mid-summer, certainly not unheard of given an altitude at the base of 10,800 feet. (Loveland Ski Area)

At an altitude of 10,800 feet, Loveland Ski Area is certainly in some rarified air.  Yesterday the resort saw a dusting of snow while Colorado residents below in the Mile High City simmered in 90+ degree temperatures.

Snowfall can occur in Colorado’s high country any time of year, even in mid-summer, and yesterday’s event was not particularly unusual.

Here in Denver however there has never officially been snow in July.  The key word though is ‘officially.’

Unofficially there has been snow in the Mile High City in July – almost exactly one year ago today in fact.

Check out this tidbit from the National Weather Service archives:

“On July 17, 1872…the U.S. Army Signal Service weather observer recorded snowfall during the early morning hours in the hand written daily weather journal: “rain commenced at 1:30 a.m. changing about 3 a.m. to snow & in about half an hour to rain again; it continued until 6 a.m.” This is the only recorded occurrence of snowfall in Denver in July…but this report is not included in the “official” station snowfall records…which did not begin in Denver until January 1…1882. The low temperature on this morning was 45 degrees…which is sufficiently cold for the occurrence of light stratiform snowfall.”

Colorado Weather, Natural Disasters

Satellite imagery captures explosion of West Fork Complex Fire, Papoose Fire and thunderstorms

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Satellites provide an amazing eye in the sky for monitoring the weather and climate.  Their usefulness today was once again proven as they captures wildfires exploding in Colorado’s southwest and thunderstorms to the northeast.

The satellite imagery animation comes from the NOAA GOES East satellite and was assembled by Colorado State University RAMSDIS.  It covers the period from 1:55pm to 4:40pm on Friday, June 21, 2013.

The tandem West Form Fire and Papoose Fire in southwestern Colorado are seen sending massive smoke plumes into the sky.  Afternoon thunderstorms are exploding in the northeastern corner of the state.

Colorado Weather, National Weather

Internet resources for wildfire information and education

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Wildfires are a very real danger here in Colorado.
Wildfires are a very real danger here in Colorado.

As wildfires burn across much on the western United States late this summer, the Internet can be a wealth of information for residents that are affected by these blazes or for anyone else. Resources are available for everything from the latest news updates, finding out where the fires are right down to the street level, to safety and education.

This list is by no means all inclusive – if you have a wildfire related link we are missing, please post a comment and let us know and we will update our list!

Updated 6/21/2013

National Level Agencies

Fire Mapping

Weather

Wildfire Imagery

Wildfire Education & Information

Wildfire Assistance

State Agencies

Colorado Weather

Tornado at Denver International Airport rated EF1

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The tornado near DIA sent workers working on the terminal renovations scrambling. (Rob Gardner)
The tornado near DIA sent workers working on the terminal renovations scrambling. (Rob Gardner)

The tornado that struck on the grounds of Denver International Airport (DIA) on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 has been rated an EF1 with winds up to 109 mph.  The twister came within a half mile of Concourses A and B and sent workers and travelers scrambling to tornado shelters.

Scroll down to see more photos of the tornado.

From the National Weather Service:

A tornado developed on Denver International Airport (DIA) grounds on the afternoon of June 18, 2013. The tornado formed around 2:19 PM just north of 70th Avenue. The tornado then moved slowly northwest between Runway 35R and 35L, and moved to within a half mile of Concourses A and B before dissipating at 2:36 PM. The tornado moved extremely close if not over the ASOS (Automated Surface Observation System) and another low level wind shear sensor at DIA. The ASOS weather observing system reported a 97 mph wind gust at 2:27 PM, while the wind shear sensor reported a wind gust to 109 mph at the same time – indicative of an EF1 tornado. There was only minor damage noted to this equipment. The storm responsible for this tornado first developed just south of the airport, and then drift slowly northward across the eastern side of DIA. At 2:05 PM, there was weak rotation beginning to develop underneath this storm as noted by the velocity data below. This rotation then strengthened quickly between 2:10 and 2:22 PM.

Colorado Weather

Time lapse video provides stunning view of rolling, bubbling clouds over the Rockies

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One of our favorite pastimes is simply watching the clouds.  Colorado’s widely varying weather provides a stunning variety in almost every season.  One photographer captured an amazing time lapse video of what he called “Bubbly Rocky Mountain Clouds.”

Watch the video below.  Just beautiful!

Bubbly Rocky Mountain Clouds from David Harpe on Vimeo.

Colorado Weather

9News discusses the difficulty in forecasting Colorado’s turbulent weather

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Colorado's weather can be challenging to predict with all four seasons being seen in a single day across the state.
Colorado’s weather can be challenging to predict with all four seasons being seen in a single day across the state.

Weather forecasters have come under fire in recent weeks due to over or underestimating the amount of snowfall from our winter-like weather.  Colorado presents very unique challenges, particularly with snow estimates, and 9News tried last night to address some of those.

In conversations with the station’s meteorologists Kathy Sabine and Marty Coniglio, reporter Chris Vanderveen tries to explain the hit or miss forecasts.

“It’s now not good enough to say ‘it’s going to snow.’ It’s not enough to say ‘it’s going to snow from this time on this date to this time on this day.’ Now, it’s the exact amount of snow in the exact location.”

It’s that expectation that doesn’t mix well in particular with forecasting snow accumulation. Coniglio says it’s realistic to give a range, but Colorado’s varying terrain and unpredictable winds make it virtually impossible to guarantee a particular accumulation in a given area.

It is certainly an interesting topic and one which many Coloradoans upset about snowfall estimates being inaccurate should watch.  The story does fall short with only being 3 minutes long and failing to adequately explain the challenges with the weather in Colorado.

Check out the video below.