Very moist and unstable atmopshere in place over CO today. Surface dew points in the low to mid 50's, precipitable water value near 1 inch and lifted index near zero. This will set the stage for a day of heavy rain, thunderstorms and flash flooding potential. NWS has issued a Flash Flood Watch from 10 am through 8 pm across the foothills, Urban Coirridor and adjacent plains. Showers and some thunderstorms have already formed, and activity will increase from west to east through the morning and persist into this evening. Storm motion will be from south to north today at 5-15 mph, with some easterly progression. Possibilty for training of storms as well as back building, which could keep heavy rain going over the same area for an extended period, hence the flash flood potential. Small hail also possible in thunderstorms, especially over the foothills, so some light to medium hail accumulation is possible. Models suggest generally 0.5 to 1.0 inches of rain possible today, but some areas could see upwards of 2 inches in isolated areas. This combined with streams and rivers alraedy at or near flood stage is causing hydro concerns. Anyone living in prone areas near streams and rivers should keep a watchful eye out today. Activity will move out onto the plains tonight but could persist into early Saturday morning on the plains.
Saturday should start out nice, then clouds build and chance for showers and thunderstorms will exist in the afternoon and evening hours. Slight chance storms could become severe mostly east of I-25 and north of I-70 as better vertical wind shear profile exists, so large hail and strong winds possible, as well as isolated tornaodes. Generally less precip is expected Saturday outside of strong thunderstorms.
Sunday through next Wednesday look warmer and drier with only isolated showers and thunderstorms expected, before better precip chances move into CO late next week into next weekend.
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"Climatology is what you expect, Weather is what you get".
"It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong".
Too bad future generations aren't here to see all the great things we are spending their $$ on!!
