Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 32, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

July 21, 2021Grand County, Larimer County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this flash flood warning at Jul 21, 2021, 3:16 PM MDT for Grand County, Larimer County, Colorado. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 21, 2021, 3:16 PM MDT (21:16 UTC)
Expired
Jul 21, 2021, 6:15 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Grand County, CO, Larimer County, CO

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 134 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:18 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 21, 3:25 PM MDTFLASH FLOOD13 N Hot Sulphur Spring, COMULTIPLE DEBRIS FLOWS OVER CO-125 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 10 AND 15, ROAD CLOSED AND SOME TRAVELERS STRANDED.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 12:00Z, 9.3 hours before the alert went out and 238 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 2021-07-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 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 2021-07-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -4 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2182 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-4 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
13 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

294 
WGUS55 KBOU 212116
FFWBOU
COC049-069-220015-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FF.W.0032.210721T2116Z-210722T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Denver CO
316 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Grand County in north central Colorado...
  Southwestern Larimer County in north central Colorado...

* Until 615 PM MDT.

* At 316 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.4 and 0.8 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, gulches,
           roads, and poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Estes Park, Bear Lake, Grand Lake and Deer Ridge.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  Trout Creek, Columbine Creek, Cabin Creek, Ranger Creek, Onahu 
  Creek, Boulder Brook, Buffalo Creek, Round Creek, Willow Creek, 
  Drowsy Water Creek, Alpine Brook, Trail Creek, Corral Creek, Jack 
  Creek, Bighorn Creek, North Saint Vrain Creek, East Fork 
  Troublesome Creek, Middle Fork Creek, Illinois River, East Branch 
  Willow Creek, Roaring Fork, Colorado River, Tonahutu Creek, Hayden 
  Creek, Gold Run, Kinney Creek, Mc Queary Creek, Soda Creek, Icy 
  Brook, East Inlet, Big Thompson River, Echo Creek, Fraser River, 
  Wheatley Creek, Inn Brook, Pole Creek, Smith Creek, Wind River, 
  Monument Creek, Troublesome Creek, North Fork Cabin Creek, Spruce 
  Creek, Fall River, Ethel Creek, Aspen Brook, Glacier Creek and 
  North Inlet.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.

Heavy Rainfall will cause flash flooding of small creeks, streams, 
and ditches in the East Troublesome burn area. Some areas affected 
include the North Inlet in the town of Grand Lake, the burned areas 
on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Colorado River 
above Shadow Mountain Reservoir, the Willow Creek valley along 
Highway 125, Drowsy Water Creek, and the East Troublesome Creek 
valley. Rock slides or debris flows can also be expected across 
rural roads.

Heavy Rainfall will cause flash flooding of small creeks, streams, 
and ditches in the East Troublesome burn area. Some areas affected 
include the Spruce, Fern, and Mill Creek basins in Rocky Mountain 
National Park. Rising water and debris may reach Moraine Park.

&&

LAT...LON 4039 10594 4036 10575 4042 10557 4026 10556
      4026 10565 4025 10564 4023 10578 4010 10591
      4010 10616 4017 10627 4026 10628 4033 10622
      4033 10619 4034 10617 4033 10614 4035 10610
      4035 10608 4037 10602 4035 10596 4037 10594

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

RJK
2 follow-up statements
937 
WGUS75 KBOU 212139
FFSBOU

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
339 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

COC049-069-220015-
/O.CON.KBOU.FF.W.0032.000000T0000Z-210722T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Grand CO-Larimer CO-
339 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM MDT THIS 
EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN GRAND AND SOUTHWESTERN LARIMER COUNTIES...

At 339 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain across the warned area. Between 0.4 and 1.0 inch of rain has 
fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.  Law 
enforcement indicated there were multiple mudslides along State Road 
125 closing the road.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, gulches,
         roads, and poor drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Estes Park, Bear Lake, Grand Lake and Deer Ridge.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  Trout Creek, Columbine Creek, Cabin Creek, Ranger Creek, Onahu 
  Creek, Boulder Brook, Buffalo Creek, Round Creek, Willow Creek, 
  Drowsy Water Creek, Alpine Brook, Trail Creek, Corral Creek, Jack 
  Creek, Bighorn Creek, North Saint Vrain Creek, East Fork 
  Troublesome Creek, Middle Fork Creek, Illinois River, East Branch 
  Willow Creek, Roaring Fork, Colorado River, Tonahutu Creek, Hayden 
  Creek, Gold Run, Kinney Creek, Mc Queary Creek, Soda Creek, Icy 
  Brook, East Inlet, Big Thompson River, Echo Creek, Fraser River, 
  Wheatley Creek, Inn Brook, Pole Creek, Smith Creek, Wind River, 
  Monument Creek, Troublesome Creek, North Fork Cabin Creek, Spruce 
  Creek, Fall River, Ethel Creek, Aspen Brook, Glacier Creek and 
  North Inlet.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.

Heavy Rainfall will cause flash flooding of small creeks, streams, 
and ditches in the East Troublesome burn area. Some areas affected 
include the North Inlet in the town of Grand Lake, the burned areas 
on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Colorado River 
above Shadow Mountain Reservoir, the Willow Creek valley along 
Highway 125, Drowsy Water Creek, and the East Troublesome Creek 
valley. Rock slides or debris flows can also be expected across 
rural roads.

Heavy Rainfall will cause flash flooding of small creeks, streams, 
and ditches in the East Troublesome burn area. Some areas affected 
include the Spruce, Fern, and Mill Creek basins in Rocky Mountain 
National Park. Rising water and debris may reach Moraine Park.

&&

LAT...LON 4039 10594 4036 10575 4042 10557 4026 10556
      4026 10565 4025 10564 4023 10578 4010 10591
      4010 10616 4017 10627 4026 10628 4033 10622
      4033 10619 4034 10617 4033 10614 4035 10610
      4035 10608 4037 10602 4035 10596 4037 10594

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

RJK
564 
WGUS75 KBOU 212341
FFSBOU

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
541 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

COC049-069-220015-
/O.CON.KBOU.FF.W.0032.000000T0000Z-210722T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Grand CO-Larimer CO-
541 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM MDT THIS 
EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN GRAND AND SOUTHWESTERN LARIMER COUNTIES...

At 541 PM MDT, Doppler Radar law enforcement reported thunderstorms 
producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.4 and 1.2 
inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to 
begin shortly.  Law enforcement indicating there were multiple 
mudslides along State Road 125 closing the road.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, gulches,
         roads, and poor drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Estes Park, Bear Lake, Grand Lake and Deer Ridge.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  Trout Creek, Columbine Creek, Cabin Creek, Ranger Creek, Onahu 
  Creek, Boulder Brook, Buffalo Creek, Round Creek, Willow Creek, 
  Drowsy Water Creek, Alpine Brook, Trail Creek, Corral Creek, Jack 
  Creek, Bighorn Creek, North Saint Vrain Creek, East Fork 
  Troublesome Creek, Middle Fork Creek, Illinois River, East Branch 
  Willow Creek, Roaring Fork, Colorado River, Tonahutu Creek, Hayden 
  Creek, Gold Run, Kinney Creek, Mc Queary Creek, Soda Creek, Icy 
  Brook, East Inlet, Big Thompson River, Echo Creek, Fraser River, 
  Wheatley Creek, Inn Brook, Pole Creek, Smith Creek, Wind River, 
  Monument Creek, Troublesome Creek, North Fork Cabin Creek, Spruce 
  Creek, Fall River, Ethel Creek, Aspen Brook, Glacier Creek and 
  North Inlet.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.

Heavy Rainfall will cause flash flooding of small creeks, streams, 
and ditches in the East Troublesome burn area. Some areas affected 
include the North Inlet in the town of Grand Lake, the burned areas 
on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Colorado River 
above Shadow Mountain Reservoir, the Willow Creek valley along 
Highway 125, Drowsy Water Creek, and the East Troublesome Creek 
valley. Rock slides or debris flows can also be expected across 
rural roads.

Heavy Rainfall will cause flash flooding of small creeks, streams, 
and ditches in the East Troublesome burn area. Some areas affected 
include the Spruce, Fern, and Mill Creek basins in Rocky Mountain 
National Park. Rising water and debris may reach Moraine Park.

&&

LAT...LON 4039 10594 4036 10575 4042 10557 4026 10556
      4026 10565 4025 10564 4023 10578 4010 10591
      4010 10616 4017 10627 4026 10628 4033 10622
      4033 10619 4034 10617 4033 10614 4035 10610
      4035 10608 4037 10602 4035 10596 4037 10594

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

RJK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 20, 6:58 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatBOULarimer92 min
Jul 20, 7:09 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatBOULarimer81 min
Jul 21, 3:18 AM MDTFlash Flood WatchBOUBoulder, Grand, Jackson, Larimer17 hr
Jul 21, 1:30 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOULarimer3 hr
Jul 21, 1:56 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUGrand3 hr
Jul 21, 2:31 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUPark119 min
Jul 21, 2:44 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUTeller46 min
Jul 21, 2:47 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOULarimer103 min
Jul 21, 3:22 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUPark69 min
Jul 21, 4:40 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUDouglas65 min
Jul 21, 5:06 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUClear Creek3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2021Every flash flood warning in 2021

Sources

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