Storm brings much needed precipitation to Colorado Front Range

Following months of scorching heat and below normal precipitation, northeastern Colorado desperately needed precipitation.  Mother Nature finally provided relief as many locations recorded more than 1″ of rain over the past 24 hours.

Here in Thornton we recorded a welcome 1.32″ since yesterday.  Of that, 1.26″ was recorded since midnight today, the biggest single day precipitation event we have had since July 12, 2011.

Some other rainfall totals:

  • Denver International Airport: 0.97″
  • Denver City Park: 1.62″
  • Buckley Air Force Base: 0.38″
  • Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (Broomfield): 0.61″
  • NCAR Table Mesa Boulder: 1.29″
  • Longmont Vance Brand Airport: 0.56″

View more totals for the metro area on the map below.

Snow was also recorded at higher elevations above 11,000 feet in the mountains southwest of Denver.  Pikes Peak was blanketed in white and received at least a few inches.

While the recent rain will provide some temporary relief, precipitation totals for the calendar year remain well behind normal.  For Denver an average year brings 14.92″ of liquid precipitation.  To date 2012 has only recorded 6.46″in the rain bucket.

24 hour rainfall totals for the Denver metro area from 5:30pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 to 5:30pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012.
24 hour rainfall totals for the Denver metro area from 5:30pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 to 5:30pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012.

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