Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2011

Flash Flood Warning 3, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

May 24, 2011Phillips County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this flash flood warning at May 24, 2011, 3:56 PM MDT for Phillips County, Colorado. It was in force for 6 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
May 24, 2011, 3:56 PM MDT (21:56 UTC)
Expired
May 24, 2011, 10:00 PM MDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Phillips County, CO

The radar

The Goodland radar (KGLD), 146 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:56 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 109 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 2011-05-24Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 291 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 2011-05-24The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 32 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
291 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-122 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
996 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
32 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
85 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

154 
WGUS55 KBOU 242156
FFWBOU
COC095-250100-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FF.W.0003.110524T2156Z-110525T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
356 PM MDT TUE MAY 24 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  PHILLIPS COUNTY IN NORTHEAST COLORADO

* UNTIL 700 PM MDT

* AT 356 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  VERY HEAVY RAIN FROM THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 5
  MILES SOUTH OF PLEASANT VALLEY TO 11 MILES SOUTH OF HIGHLAND
  CENTER...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 9 MILES EAST OF HOLYOKE TO
  22 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HOLYOKE. THESE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHWEST
  AT 5 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WAGES...
  PLEASANT VALLEY...PAOLI...HOLYOKE...HIGHLAND CENTER...HAXTUN...
  FAIRFIELD AND AMHERST.

DOPPLER RADAR ESTIMATES THAT THESE STORMS WILL PRODUCE 1.5 TO 2 
INCHES OF RAIN IN AN HOUR.  

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY 
AUTOMOBILE. TURN AROUND...DO NOT DROWN.

&&

LAT...LON 4044 10204 4043 10208 4044 10267 4070 10267
      4071 10265 4075 10265 4075 10205

$$
BARJENBRUCH
4 follow-up statements
931 
WGUS75 KBOU 242311
FFSBOU

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
511 PM MDT TUE MAY 24 2011

COC095-250100-
/O.CON.KBOU.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-110525T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PHILLIPS CO-
511 PM MDT TUE MAY 24 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM MDT FOR
PHILLIPS COUNTY...

AT 503 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED VERY
HEAVY RAIN FROM A THUNDERSTORM 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HOLYOKE. THIS
STORM WAS MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 10 MPH.

LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
WAGES...PLEASANT VALLEY...PAOLI...HOLYOKE...HIGHLAND 
CENTER...HAXTUN...FAIRFIELD AND AMHERST.  THIS WARNING ALSO INCLUDES 
SANDY CREEK AND PATENT CREEK.

DOPPLER RADAR ESTIMATES THAT BETWEEN 2 AND 3 INCHES OF RAIN HAS 
FALLEN ALONG THE PHILLIPS AND YUMA COUNTY LINE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST 
OF HOLYOKE.  ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 7 PM WITH 
POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER INCH OF RAIN FROM EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MOST FLASH FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
BRIDGES...DIPS...OR OTHER LOW SPOTS IF WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY.  
TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.  NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING 
STREAM...EVEN A SMALL ONE...ON FOOT. 

&&

LAT...LON 4044 10204 4043 10208 4044 10267 4070 10267
      4071 10265 4075 10265 4075 10205

$$
BARJENBRUCH
328 
WGUS55 KBOU 250056
FFWBOU
COC095-250400-
/O.EXT.KBOU.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-110525T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
656 PM MDT TUE MAY 24 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  PHILLIPS COUNTY IN NORTHEAST COLORADO

* UNTIL 1000 PM MDT

* AT 652 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  VERY HEAVY RAIN FROM A THUNDERSTORM 4 MILES NORTH OF HOLYOKE. THIS
  STORM WAS MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 20 MPH...AND MORE STORMS WILL 
  CONTINUE TO MOVE INTO PHILLIPS COUNTY THROUGH 9 PM.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WAGES...
  PLEASANT VALLEY...PAOLI...HOLYOKE...HIGHLAND CENTER...HAXTUN...
  FAIRFIELD AND AMHERST.

DOPPLER RADAR ESTIMATES THAT BETWEEN 1 AND 3 INCHES OF RAIN HAS FALLEN
OVER MOST OF PHILLIPS COUNTY LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...WITH THE 
HEAVIEST TOTALS ALONG THE PHILLIPS AND YUMA COUNTY LINE SOUTH AND 
SOUTHWEST OF HOLYOKE.  ANOTHER ONE HALF TO 1.5 INCHES OF RAIN CAN BE
EXPECTED BEFORE DECREASING AROUND 9 PM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM THIS STORM WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...COUNTRY ROADS...NORMALLY DRY WASHES AND
ARROYOS...AS WELL AS FARMLAND ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS AND STREAMS.

MOST FLASH FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
BRIDGES...DIPS...OR OTHER LOW SPOTS IF WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY.
NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL ONE...ON FOOT. TO
ESCAPE RISING WATER CLIMB TO HIGHER GROUND.

&&

LAT...LON 4044 10204 4043 10208 4044 10267 4070 10267
      4071 10265 4075 10265 4075 10205

$$
BARJENBRUCH
637 
WGUS75 KBOU 250242
FFSBOU

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
842 PM MDT TUE MAY 24 2011

COC095-250400-
/O.CON.KBOU.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-110525T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PHILLIPS CO-
842 PM MDT TUE MAY 24 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM MDT FOR
PHILLIPS COUNTY...

AT 839 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS MUCH OF PHILLIPS 
COUNTY.  RAINFALL RATES OF ONE HALF TO ONE INCH PER HOUR CAN BE 
EXPECTED FROM THE STRONGEST STORMS THROUGH 10 PM.

LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
WAGES...PLEASANT VALLEY...PAOLI...HOLYOKE...HIGHLAND CENTER...
HAXTUN...FAIRFIELD AND AMHERST.

DOPPLER RADAR ESTIMATES THAT BETWEEN 1 AND 3 INCHES OF RAIN HAS 
FALLEN ACROSS MOST OF THE COUNTY.  ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 
ONE HALF TO 1.5 INCHES CAN STILL BE EXPECTED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM THIS STORM WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...COUNTRY ROADS...NORMALLY DRY WASHES AND
ARROYOS...AS WELL AS FARMLAND ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS AND STREAMS.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY AS THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO
CROSS SAFELY. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. ONLY A
FEW INCHES OF RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER CAN QUICKLY CARRY AWAY YOUR
VEHICLE. TURN AROUND...DO NOT DROWN.

&&

LAT...LON 4044 10204 4043 10208 4044 10267 4070 10267
      4071 10265 4075 10265 4075 10205

$$
BARJENBRUCH
065 
WGUS75 KBOU 250358
FFSBOU

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
958 PM MDT TUE MAY 24 2011

COC095-250407-
/O.EXP.KBOU.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-110525T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PHILLIPS CO-
958 PM MDT TUE MAY 24 2011

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1000 PM MDT FOR PHILLIPS
COUNTY...

THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A SMALL STREAM FLOOD
ADVISORY.

LAT...LON 4044 10204 4043 10208 4044 10267 4070 10267
      4071 10265 4075 10265 4075 10205

$$
BARJENBRUCH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 23, 6:39 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUSedgwick36 min
May 24, 1:35 AM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUElbert40 min
May 24, 9:19 AM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULincoln41 min
May 24, 9:27 AM MDTFlash Flood WatchBOULogan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington19 hr
May 24, 12:01 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULincoln44 min
May 24, 12:29 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUMorgan116 min
May 24, 2:55 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUWashington6 hr
May 24, 3:45 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUPhillips45 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2011Every flash flood warning in 2011

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.