Alert archive / Utah / Areal Flood Advisories in 2021

Areal Flood Advisory 21, NWS Grand Junction, CO

July 23, 2021San Juan County, Utah

NWS Grand Junction, CO issued this areal flood advisory at Jul 23, 2021, 4:22 PM MDT for San Juan County, Utah. It was in force for 3 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 23, 2021, 4:22 PM MDT (22:22 UTC)
Expired
Jul 23, 2021, 7:30 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Grand Junction, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon

County San Juan County, UT

The radar

The Grand Junction radar (KGJX), 212 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:23 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

Grand Junction, CO (KGJT), launched 12:00Z, 10.4 hours before the alert went out and 202 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, Grand Junction, CO at 12:00Z on 2021-07-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 21 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Grand Junction, CO at 12:00Z on 2021-07-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -41 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
21 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-153 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1904 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
5 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-41 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-27 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this areal flood advisory went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Junction, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this areal flood advisory went out at Jul 23, 3:06 PM MDT, 1 hour 16 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 23, 3:06 PM MDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
306 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Saturday night)
Issued at 129 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

Like clockwork, storms began firing off higher terrain shortly
preceding the noon hour and coverage has flourished across the
Western Slope since then. As hammered in previous forecast
discussions, storms are feeding off an abundance of monsoonal
moisture this afternoon with PWATs exceeding 1.0 to 1.2 inches.
Current meso analysis shows pockets of SBCAPE in excess of 2500
J/kg over the southwest San Juans, with 1500 - 2000 J/kg draped
across regions south of I-70 and along the Divide. Early morning
cloud cover has quickly eroded within the last hour across these
areas, allowing diurnally driven convection to thrive in this
unstable environment. In addition, a skinny - yet deep - CAPE
profile also indicates the returned threat of heavy rainfall with
these storms. Have no intention in changing current Flash Flood
highlights, as a forecast line of convection (stretching from
northeast Colorado to the Four Corners) has favored these zones
through late this evening. CAM guidance has routinely shown this
diagonal line across the state, drifting westward later this
evening. There's a subtle moisture gradient along this line of
showers, driven by the low pressure system retrograding to our
southwest. As the low nudges across central New Mexico overnight,
showers will be carried westward along with. Elevated instability
and extra forcing along the mositure gradient may maintain heavy
rain rates across the Four Corners region beyond midnight. In
addition, outflow boundaries colliding late this evening will
likely generate new cells over some valley floors. As mentioned
previously, this moisture is well received in some places plagued
by exceptional drought conditions. However, heavy rain still be
quite hazardous for our steeper terrain, slot canyons, arroyos,
and of course...burn scars. The daily potential for heavy rain
directly over the Griz remains and will continue to threaten the
I-70 corridor with possible debris flows.

Nocturnal showers should weak/diminish around sunrise Saturday.
The low's westward trajectory and passing shortwave over the
Northern Rockies will further truncate ridging overhead. As a
result, the strong pull of monsoonal moisture will be suppressed
and PWATs decrease across northeast Utah and northwest Colorado.
The diagonal line of afternoon storms becomes more zonal in nature
and will generally keep moderate to heavy precipitation rates
along and south of I-70. Faster moving storms are expected
tomorrow afternoon across the San Juans, as they'll be in closer
proximity to the Desert Southwest Low and its associated energy.
Meanwhile, storms will have less steering winds to work with
across the central ranges and I-70 corridor due to a difluent
zone aloft. So, the caveat for this region: weaker rain rates are
expected...however, slow-moving cells still pose the threat of
localized flooding. Thus, overall confidence in flooding/debris
flow hazards lowers on Saturday; however, can not rule out the
threat completely due to above average moisture content lingering
across the southern half of the CWA. Storm coverage generally
wanes after sunset, though a few isolated cells will roll through
the midnight hour and linger across the region Saturday night.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday)
Issued at 129 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

Deterministic guidance and ensemble clusters favor the ridge of
high pressure building back over the central Rockies through the
long term. Though the strongest pull of subtropical moisture may
be slightly displaced as the center of the high rotates over the
Great Plains, residual mositure will still maintain good coverage
of daily showers across the Western Slope through next week (especially
over the San Juans). Case in point, the monsoonal tap remains with
some daily variability in moisture content and placement.

High temperatures will continue to hover around normal through
this period, while muggy conditions will maintain warmer overnight
lows.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon)
Issued at 1142 AM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

Scattered to numerous showers and thundestorms will increase in
coverage and strength this afternoon...mainly over the mountains
along and south of I-70, and the Four Corners region. Heavy
rainfall and gusty outflow winds remain threats to airfields from
early afternoon through the late evening hours. For the most part
VFR conditions will be in place. The exception will be when a
storm temporarily impacts a terminal with heavy rainfall producing
MVFR visibility. Improvement comes through the overnight
hours...though if some of the valleys receive heavy rainfall
there is a low probability of lower clouds and fog Saturday
morning.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 129 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

Deep monsoonal moisture remains entrenched across much of western
Colorado and eastern Utah this afternoon. Stronger storms across
southwest Colorado will have faster storm motion, with heavy
rain rates and possible hail. Meanwhile, storms along the Divide
and I-70 corridor will be slower moving with some training echoes
anticipated. Several areas have already received moderate
rainfall amounts the past several days including many burn scars.
Flash Flood Watches remain in effect through late this evening and
numerous highlights have been issued to hone in susceptible areas
across eastern Utah. The westward trajectory of a low to the
southwest may enhance storm initiation later this evening and
prolong the typical, diurnal weakening of storms. Heavy rainfall
may persist after midnight today near the Four Corners before
finally exiting into northeast Arizona by 3 AM MDT. The Desert
Southwest Low will also divert the main surge of monsoonal
moisture to our southwest tomorrow which has resulted in lower
confidence of dictating how far north the moderate to heavy
rainfall rates will fall. In coordination with neighboring WFOs
and WPC, have opted to exclude additional Flash Flood highlights
for Saturday and will allow the night shift to take another look.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CO...Flash Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for COZ008-010-
     012>014-018-019.

     Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for COZ021>023.

UT...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...ERW
LONG TERM...ERW
AVIATION...TGJT
HYDROLOGY...15/ERW
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 23, 5:39 AM MDT, 10 hours 43 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
539 AM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-241145-
Lower Yampa River Basin-Central Yampa River Basin-
Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus-Elkhead and Park Mountains-
Upper Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley-Debeque to Silt Corridor-
Central Colorado River Basin-Grand and Battlement Mesas-
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys-
Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin-
West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops-
Upper Gunnison River Valley-Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide-
Northwest San Juan Mountains-Southwest San Juan Mountains-
Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River-
Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin-
San Juan River Basin-Southeast Utah-Eastern Uinta Mountains-
Eastern Uinta Basin-Tavaputs Plateau-Arches/Grand Flat-
La Sal and Abajo Mountains-Canyonlands/Natural Bridges-
539 AM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for eastern Utah and western
Colorado.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Deep monsoonal moisture will result in thunderstorm development
with the potential for heavy rainfall rates today.  Localized
flash flooding will be possible in response to heavy rains and
saturated soils.The recent burn scars will be especially
vulnerable with debris flows a likely impact. Gusty outflow winds
will accompany the strongest storms and possibly small hail.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Daily scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms can be
expected through the weekend. Moderate to heavy rain and gusty
winds will be the primary threats with storms. Localized flash
flooding will be possible in response to heavy rains and
saturated soils. Unsettled weather is expected into the new work
week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected today or tonight, however
spotters are encouraged to relay rainfall amounts or any observed
flooding to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 23, 3:42 PM MDT, 40 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 23, 3:50 PM MDT, 32 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
350 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

COZ019-022-023-232230-
Animas River Basin CO-Southwest San Juan Mountains CO-
San Juan River Basin CO-
350 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN ARCHULETA AND
SOUTHEASTERN LA PLATA COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM MDT...

At 349 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles east of Bayfield, or 27 miles northwest of Dulce, moving
southwest at 25 mph.

Dime size  hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Ignacio, Allison, Arboles and Tiffany.

This includes the following highways...
 U.S. Highway 160 in Colorado between mile markers 114 and 131.
 Colorado 151 between mile markers 1 and 33.
 Colorado 172 between mile markers 5 and 10.

LAT...LON 3712 10766 3736 10733 3725 10717 3700 10740
      3700 10757
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 042DEG 20KT 3726 10732

ERW
Special weather statement, Jul 23, 3:50 PM MDT, 32 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
350 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

COZ019-022-232215-
Animas River Basin CO-Southwest San Juan Mountains CO-
350 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

At 350 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bayfield, or 10 miles southeast of Durango, moving south at 5 mph.

Half inch  hail, winds in excess of 30 mph and heavy rainfall will
be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Falfa and Oxford.

This includes the following highways...
 U.S. Highway 160 in Colorado between mile markers 93 and 100.
 Colorado 172 between mile markers 13 and 22.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3728 10777 3726 10763 3712 10765 3714 10780
TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 007DEG 5KT 3722 10771

AS
Local storm report, Jul 23, 4:10 PM MDT, 12 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
410 PM MDT FRI JUL 23 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0215 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 ENE RICO              37.70N 108.00W
07/23/2021  M1.08 INCH       DOLORES            CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION EW6434 RICO.

&&

NL
Local storm report, Jul 23, 4:13 PM MDT, 9 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
413 PM MDT FRI JUL 23 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0355 PM     HEAVY RAIN       10 W TENNESSEE PASS     39.38N 106.50W
07/23/2021  M0.59 INCH       EAGLE              CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION EW6190 SUMMIT COUNTY.

&&

NL
Special weather statement, Jul 23, 4:16 PM MDT, 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
416 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

COZ009-011-232245-
Grand and Battlement Mesas CO-
Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin CO-
416 PM MDT Fri Jul 23 2021

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

At 415 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hotchkiss, or 23 miles north of Montrose, moving south at 5 mph.

Half inch  hail, winds in excess of 30 mph and heavy rainfall will
be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Cedaredge, Hotchkiss, Lazear and Austin.

This includes the following highways...
 Colorado 65 between mile markers 10 and 15.
 Colorado 92 between mile markers 9 and 28.
 Colorado 133 between mile markers 1 and 4.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3898 10793 3889 10768 3871 10765 3871 10794
TIME...MOT...LOC 2215Z 359DEG 6KT 3880 10778

AS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Grand Junction, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 23, 12:18 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTDelta27 min
Jul 23, 12:21 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJT39 min
Jul 23, 12:46 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTMontezuma3 hr
Jul 23, 12:48 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTMontezuma42 min
Jul 23, 1:22 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTDolores, Montezuma3 hr
Jul 23, 1:58 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningGJTDolores, Montezuma4 hr
Jul 23, 2:17 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTDolores, Montezuma, San Juan, San Miguel3 hr
Jul 23, 3:07 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTChaffee38 min
Jul 23, 3:26 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTOuray3 hr
Jul 23, 3:42 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTChaffee33 min
Jul 23, 3:50 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTArchuleta40 min
Jul 23, 3:50 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTLa Plata25 min
Jul 23, 4:16 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTDelta29 min
Jul 23, 4:28 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGunnison3 hr
Jul 23, 4:57 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTHinsdale, Ouray, San Juan3 hr
Jul 23, 5:11 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTMesa49 min
Jul 23, 5:12 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTMesa3 hr
Jul 23, 5:19 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGarfield3 hr
Jul 23, 5:25 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGarfield, Mesa3 hr
Jul 23, 5:29 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGarfield3 hr
Jul 23, 5:34 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGJTEagle, Garfield3 hr
Jul 23, 5:36 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGunnison, Hinsdale3 hr
Jul 23, 5:39 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTHinsdale51 min
Jul 23, 5:47 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTDelta43 min
Jul 23, 5:51 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTMontrose3 hr
Jul 23, 12:49 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTSan Juan3 hr
Jul 23, 1:05 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTSan Juan115 min
Jul 23, 2:38 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGrand3 hr
Jul 23, 3:20 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTGrand25 min

Nearby

Areal Flood Advisories in Utah, 2021Every areal flood advisory 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.