Colorado: Flash flood watch for mountains, foothills

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Bob Berwyn
Weather map Colorado

Heavy rains possible across large parts of Colorado today.

Remnants of Tropical Storm Don boost rain chances in Southwest Colorado, along the Divide and in the foothills

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The dregs of Tropical Storm Don have prompted a flash flood watch across a big chunk of the Colorado mountains, from the San Juans up to the central Continental Divide, where slow-moving thunderstorms could drop between 1 and 2 inches of rain.

The watch is in effect from 2 p.m. through the evening. In areas where there is heavy rain, backcountry travelers can expect creeks to rise rapidly, and there a chance of mud and debris flows across mountain highways and backcountry dirt and gravel roads. In Summit County, the watch is in effect for the higher terrain of the Gore and Ten Mile ranges, including Breckenridge.

Even after a long trek across the dry desert Southwest, there’s enough circulation and moisture associated with the system to create the potential for soaking downpours in the afternoon and early evening, with humidity levels in in the mid- to upper atmosphere about as high as they get during monsoon season.

Showery weather is expected to continue through Wednesday, with a gradual drying trend starting Thursday and lasting into the weekend.

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, seasons, Snow and weather, Summit County snow and weather | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Tropical Storm Don spurs watches along Texas coast

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Tropical Storm Don takes aim at Texas.

Coastal areas could see near-hurricane conditions Saturday morning

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — If it stays on course for the next 48 hours, Tropical Storm Don could be a drought-busting storm for parts of the south-central plains, especially Texas, that are experiencing historic dryness. Rainfall is 10 or move inches below average for the past year across parts of the area, So Don’s moisture could bring some relief an help firefighters who have been battling the biggest fires ever reported in Texas.

Tropical Storm Don is currently located of the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula and is expected to strengthen over the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico. But for now, forecast models are holding Don at tropical storm strength until just before it makes landfall. The forecast discussion from the National Hurricane Center discusses the possibility of additional strengthening just before the storm hits the coast. Tropical storm watches have been issued for large parts of the coast. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, El Niño, global warming, La Niña | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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