Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2022

Flash Flood Warning 41, NWS Grand Junction, CO

August 15, 2022Montezuma County, Colorado

NWS Grand Junction, CO issued this flash flood warning at Aug 15, 2022, 3:24 PM MDT for Montezuma 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 15, 2022, 3:24 PM MDT (21:24 UTC)
Expired
Aug 15, 2022, 6:21 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Grand Junction, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Montezuma County, CO

The radar

The Grand Junction radar (KGJX), 195 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:24 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, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 199 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 2022-08-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 17 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 2022-08-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -44 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
17 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-206 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1423 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
5 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-44 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-63 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 15, 12:03 PM MDT, 3 hours 21 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 15, 12:03 PM MDT, 3 hours 21 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1203 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1046 AM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022

Hoisted a Flash Flood Watch for portions of southeast Utah and
southwest Colorado into late this evening. Earlier concern of
cloud cover seems to be erased with plenty of sunshine down in the
4 Corners area. The gradient of more cloudiness farther North and
this clear area is also a concern. High PWAT...previous heavy
rainfall and flooding in this area...and a shear zone are all
concerning for focused strong convection with heavy rainfall an
almost certain threat again today. There will be other strong
storms outside this watch area that will be of concern as well so
looks like another busy monsoon afternoon.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(Today through Tuesday)
Issued at 417 AM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022

The plume of deepest monsoon moisture shifted over northeast Utah
and northwest Colorado today in response to a mid-level short wave
trough which tracked eastward across Utah. This disturbance
extended from KRWL southwest to a shallow low centered over KPGA
early this morning. A few showers lingered beneath the trough in a
band which extended from KEEO southwest to KCNY which included a
portion of the Grand Valley.

The trough continues to track southeastward today driving the high
located over the southern Plains farther south. This will cause
the plume of deepest moisture to shift southward shifting its axis
over southeast Utah and west-central Colorado. According to
climatological norms, moisture levels in the plume are projected
to range from 150 to 200 percent of normal, and at those levels
suggest the potential for excessive rainfall, especially in an
environment where steering winds are light. However, one
significant mitigating factor is cloud cover, which models
suggested will be pretty expansive. This seemed reasonable given
the mid-level trough overhead and the mesoscale convective vortex
upstream over Arizona. Given antecedent moisture from yesterday's
rain combined with precipitable water levels well above normal,
gave careful consideration to issuing a Flood Watch for southeast
Utah and much of west-central Colorado. However, just couldn't
find the confidence to pull the trigger given the cloudier
forecast. However, did hoist a Flash Flood Watch for the Grizzly
Creek Burn scar as rain gauges around the site picked up from 1
to 3 inches of rainfall yesterday, so it really wouldn't take much
to get it flowing today. In contrast, drying flow from the
northwest over the northernmost zones should bring more isolated
activity to those areas.

Deep moisture and persistent weak troughiness overhead favors
showers and thunderstorms lingering overnight, mainly for the
southern two-thirds of the forecast area. Little changes on
Tuesday as the large scale pattern continues to feature high
pressure over the southern Plains and a ridge of high pressure
over the Great Basin and Intermountain West with a weak trough
between the two stalled overhead. As result, expect another round
of showers and thunderstorms, favoring the central and southern
mountains and adjacent valleys.

Increased clouds are expected to bring cooler temperatures to the
region today and tomorrow. Latest guidance suggested highs will
dip close to 10 degrees for most locations today with readings
coming in roughly 3 to 5 degrees below normal.

.LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Sunday)
Issued at 417 AM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022

The ridge of high pressure will persist over the Great Basin
region at midweek. The best moisture will remain south of
Interstate 70 which will keep an elevated threat excessive
rainfall from scattered to numerous thunderstorms. There will be
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 keep conditions drier
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 was evident regarding the timing of this eastward
progression. However, the trend indicated an uptick in shower and
thunderstorm coverage and intensity as the plume of monsoonal
moisture shifts back to the east and across the forecast area
later in the week and into the weekend. Meanwhile, high
temperatures will remain near or slightly below normal through
the long term forecast period.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon)
Issued at 1146 AM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022

Another round of showers and thunderstorms is beginning to fire
up over the region which brings the likelihood of some activity
moving over all TAF sites except KVEL and KHDN this afternoon and
evening. Expect likely MVFR conditions associated with any showers
and thunderstorms. Ceilings may briefly fall below ILS
breakpoints through the afternoon, becoming more likely through
the evening at KRIL, KEGE, KASE, KGUC and KTEX. Isolated to
scattered shower and thunderstorm activity may continue overnight
into Tuesday at TAF sites along and south of the I-70 corridor.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CO...Flood Watch through this evening for COZ020-021.

     Flash Flood Watch through this evening for COZ008-010-013.

UT...Flood Watch through this evening for UTZ022-027>029.

&&

UPDATE...15
SHORT TERM...NL
LONG TERM...MPM/NL
AVIATION...TGJT
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 15, 4:24 AM MDT, 11 hours before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 12:29 PM MDT, 2 hours 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1229 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022

COZ009-151900-
Grand and Battlement Mesas CO-
1229 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022

...A couple of strong thunderstorms will impact portions of
northeastern Mesa County through 100 PM MDT...

At 1225 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking two strong thunderstorms
10 to 13 miles southeast of Collbran, or 32 to 36 miles southwest of
Glenwood Springs. These storm are nearly stationary.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 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 northeastern Mesa
County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 3906 10775 3910 10795 3934 10780 3920 10755
TIME...MOT...LOC 1825Z 216DEG 4KT 3916 10776

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

DB
Special weather statement, Aug 15, 1:40 PM MDT, 1 hour 44 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
140 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022

COZ017-152015-
Uncompahgre Plateau/Dallas Divide CO-
140 PM MDT Mon Aug 15 2022

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern Mesa
County through 215 PM MDT...

At 140 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 20 miles south of Grand Junction to 26 miles
west of Delta. Movement was east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

These storms will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern Mesa
County.

This includes Colorado 141 between mile markers 133 and 138.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 3882 10856 3862 10838 3864 10856 3883 10873
TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 283DEG 10KT 3880 10864 3871 10855

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

BGB
Local storm report, Aug 15, 3:03 PM MDT, 21 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, 6:24 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningGJTGarfield, Mesa3 hr
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, 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.