Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2022

Flash Flood Warning 39, NWS Grand Junction, CO

August 14, 2022Garfield County, Mesa County, Colorado

NWS Grand Junction, CO issued this flash flood warning at Aug 14, 2022, 6:24 PM MDT for Garfield County, Mesa County, Colorado. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 14, 2022, 6:24 PM MDT (00:24 UTC)
Expired
Aug 14, 2022, 9:30 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Grand Junction, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Garfield County, CO, Mesa County, CO

The radar

The Grand Junction radar (KGJX), 27 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:26 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 00:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 34 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 00:00Z on 2022-08-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 105 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 00:00Z on 2022-08-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -45 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
105 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-63 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2650 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-45 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
29 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 flash flood warning 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 flash flood warning went out at Aug 14, 5:34 PM MDT, 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 14, 5:34 PM MDT, 50 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
534 PM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Monday night)
Issued at 313 PM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

A ridge of high pressure situated east of the Rockies today will
weaken as a shortwave moves east across the Intermountain West
tonight into  Monday. By late Monday the ridge axis will rebound
over the western US. Current satellite and radar depict a plume
of monsoonal moisture slowly pushing east across Utah. As this
plume slowly moves east into the evening hours shower and
thundestorms development will continue with PWAT values
approaching 200 percent of normal. Abundant moisture and adequate
lift will result in widespread shower and thunderstorm
development, with lesser coverage across the south. Flow direction
will be mainly to the north with modest storm movement expected.
However, expect locally heavy rain, gusty outflow winds and small
hail in the strongest storms and as always, a heightened concern
for burn scar and high flood potential locations. As a weak wave
moves east across the region overnight, the focus for convection
will slowly dissipate. However, with adequate moisture and some
upper-level forcing expect storms to continue across the area into
the overnight hours. After a short late night/early morning lull,
convection with return with daytime heating on Monday with the
focus shifting to the southeast across much of the southern and
central portions of the forecast area. Heavy rain with some
localized flooding is possible in the stronger storms on Monday
with showers and thunderstorms continuing into the overnight hours
before diminishing.

.LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Sunday)
Issued at 313 PM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

The ridge of high pressure will slowly build over the Great Basin
region Tuesday and Wednesday. Good moisture south of Interstate
70 will keep a heightened threat of scattered to numerous
thunderstorms on Tuesday with a decreasing trend in coverage and
intensity on Wednesday as the monsoonal plume weakens and shifts
to the west of the forecast area. Elsewhere, weak northerly flow
will result in drier conditions across the north with a slight
chance of late-day showers and thunderstorms through the mid-week
period. Confidence decreases by late in the week as ensemble
forecasts shift the ridge of high pressure east across the
forecast area. Divergence in ensemble members is evident regarding
the timing of this eastward progression. However, the trend is
indicating an uptick in shower and thunderstorm coverage and
intensity as the plume of monsoonal moisture shifts east across
the forecast area by late in the week into the weekend. High
temperatures will be near or slightly below normal through the
forecast period.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday evening)
Issued at 529 PM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

Widespread thunderstorm activity is currently ongoing, with the
most active areas being west of the UT/CO border and north of
I-70. Do expect this activity to shift east through the next
several hours, with all terminals seeing at least VCTS. Heavy
rain has been associated with these storms and may drop VIS and
CIGs into MVFR territory. Additionally, winds in excess of 40
knots have been associated with these storms, as well as frequent
lightning. Things should taper after midnight, though some storms
may linger later across the northern tier. A similar day is in
store for tomorrow, with showers and storms firing off the higher
terrain during the late morning hours.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CO...Flash Flood Watch until 10 PM MDT this evening for COZ008-010-
     013.

UT...Flash Flood Watch until 10 PM MDT this evening for UTZ028-029.

&&

SHORT TERM...MPM
LONG TERM...MPM
AVIATION...TGJT
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 14, 4:54 AM MDT, 13 hours 30 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
454 AM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-151100-
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-
454 AM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Thunderstorms will form over the higher terrain from late morning
through early afternoon and drift over low valley floors by this
evening. Heavy rainfall, gusty outflow winds, small hail and
frequent lightning will be possible with these storms. Nocturnal
showers are most probable across west-central and northwestern
Colorado, drifting to the north and northeast tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

Expect chances for storms each afternoon through the week. There
is a potential for localized flooding, especially over steep
terrain, burn scars, and saturated soils.

.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, Aug 14, 4:47 PM MDT, 1 hour 37 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
447 PM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

COZ001-142315-
Lower Yampa River Basin CO-
447 PM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Moffat
County through 515 PM MDT...

At 447 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 21
miles northeast of Dinosaur, or 47 miles east of Vernal, moving north
at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern Moffat
County, including the following locations... Elk Springs.

This includes U.S. Highway 40 in Colorado between mile markers 34 and
36.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4034 10845 4029 10868 4049 10886 4061 10847
TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 163DEG 9KT 4039 10864

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

TGR
Local storm report, Aug 14, 5:08 PM MDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
508 PM MDT SUN AUG 14 2022

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

0430 PM     FLASH FLOOD      9 NNW MONTICELLO ARPT   38.06N 109.41W
08/14/2022                   SAN JUAN           UT   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            PART OF COUNTY ROAD 211 WASHED OUT. ROAD
            WILL BE CLOSED OVERNIGHT.

&&

TGR
Special weather statement, Aug 14, 5:30 PM MDT, 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
530 PM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

COZ002-003-007-009-150000-
Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus CO-Grand and Battlement Mesas CO-
Debeque to Silt Corridor CO-Central Yampa River Basin CO-
530 PM MDT Sun Aug 14 2022

...An area of strong thunderstorms will impact portions of north
central Mesa and south central Garfield Counties through 600 PM
MDT...

At 530 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms over Parachute, or 35 miles northeast of Grand
Junction, moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central Mesa
and south central Garfield Counties, including the following
locations... Mesa, Battlement Mesa and Molina.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 52 and 53, and
between mile markers 55 and 85.
 Colorado 65 between mile markers 50 and 56.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3914 10807 3921 10827 3971 10819 3959 10782
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 202DEG 14KT 3945 10809

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

TGR
Local storm report, Aug 14, 5:54 PM MDT, 30 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 14, 6:04 PM MDT, 20 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 14, 6:10 PM MDT, 14 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 14, 6:04 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTGarfield26 min
Aug 14, 6:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTSan Miguel35 min
Aug 14, 6:59 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTRio Blanco31 min
Aug 14, 7:38 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTEagle37 min
Aug 14, 7:50 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTMontrose, Ouray3 hr
Aug 14, 8:42 PM MDTFlash Flood WatchGJTEagle, Garfield, Moffat, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt3 hr
Aug 15, 3:18 AM MDTFlash Flood WatchGJTEagle, Garfield, Moffat, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt14 hr
Aug 15, 10:35 AM MDTFlood WatchGJTDolores, Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose, San Miguel11 hr
Aug 15, 12:29 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTDelta31 min
Aug 15, 1:40 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGJTMesa35 min
Aug 15, 1:59 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGarfield, Mesa3 hr
Aug 15, 2:01 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTMesa3 hr
Aug 15, 2:05 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGJTGarfield, Mesa102 min
Aug 15, 2:34 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGarfield, Mesa3 hr
Aug 15, 2:58 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTMontezuma25 min
Aug 15, 3:24 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGJTMontezuma3 hr
Aug 15, 4:32 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGunnison, Pitkin55 min
Aug 15, 5:03 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGJTEagle, Garfield3 hr
Aug 15, 5:11 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGJTEagle, Garfield, Pitkin2 hr
Aug 15, 5:20 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningGJTGarfield, Gunnison, Pitkin3 hr
Aug 14, 6:02 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTSan Juan3 hr
Aug 15, 3:51 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTSan Juan3 hr
Aug 15, 4:26 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGJTGrand3 hr
Aug 15, 5:34 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGJTGrand, San Juan4 hr
Aug 15, 5:55 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningGJTGrand3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2022Every flash flood warning in 2022

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.