Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 17, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this flash flood warning at Aug 13, 2026, 4:00 PM MDT for Douglas County, Jefferson 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 outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 13, 2026, 4:00 PM MDT (22:00 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 13, 2026, 7:00 PM MDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Douglas County, CO, Jefferson County, CO
The radar
The Denver radar (KFTG), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:01 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The text
As transmitted.
521
WGUS55 KBOU 132200
FFWBOU
COC035-059-140100-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FF.W.0017.260813T2200Z-260814T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Denver CO
400 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
East Central Jefferson County in central Colorado...
Northwestern Douglas County in northeastern Colorado...
* Until 700 PM MDT.
* At 400 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain
have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1.5 inches are
possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected
to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
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...
South Platte, Buffalo Creek and Foxton.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Last Resort Creek, Buffalo Creek, North Fork South Platte River,
Willow Creek, Bear Creek, Pine Creek, Spring Creek, West Bear
Creek, Indian Creek, South Platte River, Long Gulch and Shinglemill
Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.
Excessive runoff from this storm will cause flash flooding of small
creeks and streams, country roads, farmland along creeks, and other
low lying areas.
&&
LAT...LON 3936 10517 3935 10528 3941 10529 3944 10524
3946 10511 3937 10508
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
092 follow-up statements
977
WGUS75 KBOU 132333
FFSBOU
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
533 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
COC035-059-140100-
/O.CON.KBOU.FF.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260814T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Douglas CO-Jefferson CO-
533 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES...
At 533 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have
fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in
the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, gulches, roads,
and poor drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
South Platte, Buffalo Creek and Foxton.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Last Resort Creek, Buffalo Creek, North Fork South Platte River,
Willow Creek, Bear Creek, Pine Creek, Spring Creek, West Bear
Creek, Indian Creek, South Platte River, Long Gulch and Shinglemill
Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.
Excessive runoff from this storm will cause flash flooding of small
creeks and streams, country roads, farmland along creeks, and other
low lying areas.
&&
LAT...LON 3936 10517 3935 10528 3941 10529 3944 10524
3946 10511 3937 10508
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
09070
WGUS75 KBOU 140057
FFSBOU
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
657 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
COC035-059-140107-
/O.EXP.KBOU.FF.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260814T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Douglas CO-Jefferson CO-
657 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR EAST
CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES...
The heavy rain has ended but rain showers will continue through the
evening. Flooding is no longer expected to pose an immediate threat,
but any new heavy showers that develop could increase the threat once
again. Please continue to heed any remaining closures.
&&
LAT...LON 3936 10517 3935 10528 3941 10529 3944 10524
3946 10511 3937 10508
$$
09What 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 Denver/Boulder, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 13, 1:21 PM MDT, 2 hours 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Localized flash flooding possible due to heavy rain producing thunderstorms. Highest risk is over the eastern Colorado plains, where a Flood Watch is in effect from 3 pm to 10 pm.
- Another round of storms Friday afternoon/evening with a continued threat of locally heavy rain.
- Monsoon moisture lasts through the weekend, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms most days.
- Warming and drying trend still set to begin Monday.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 13, 1:21 PM MDT, 2 hours 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 121 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Localized flash flooding possible due to heavy rain producing thunderstorms. Highest risk is over the eastern Colorado plains, where a Flood Watch is in effect from 3 pm to 10 pm. - Another round of storms Friday afternoon/evening with a continued threat of locally heavy rain. - Monsoon moisture lasts through the weekend, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms most days. - Warming and drying trend still set to begin Monday. && .DISCUSSION /Through Thursday/... Issued at 120 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026 Main threat today will be flash flooding from heavy rain producing thunderstorms. Satellite showed the rather thick mid level cloud deck over the mountains and I-25 Corridor is thinning, allowing for stronger solar insolation and warming. Observed ACARS soundings show that we've nearly broken the cap as of 1 pm. In fact, we're now seeing towering cumulus over the mountains and even moderate cumulus over portions of the plains. In addition, one could argue a weak shortwave (in the form of a departing right entrance region of an upper level jet branch) was riding up through central/north central Colorado. Finally, weak pressure rises are occurring over the northeast plains which means a more easterly upslope low level component is expected just prior to storm initiation. Therefore, all ingredients are in place for scattered to numerous storms this afternoon, pushing eastward across the plains through this evening. There could even be a round or two of weaker (but still briefly heavy) storms behind the initial stronger storms. For more hydro details about the threat of flash flooding, see the HYDROLOGY section of this Area Forecast Discussion below. We can't rule out an isolated severe storm as MLCAPE grows to 800-1400 J/kg over the plains, with a wet microburst being the main threat and just an isolated marginal hail threat in this monsoonal, heavy rain environment. Friday's weather is shaping up to be quite similar to today's. We'll still be under the deeper monsoonal moisture plume although there are signals for slight drying and warming. However, that could very well be offset by the increase in boundary layer moisture and 60F plus dewpoints and patchy fog/stratus tonight. While there is no discernible shortwave at this point, we still expect a minimally capped environment. That will allow scattered to numerous storms to fire over the mountains by early afternoon and spread east across the plains late in the afternoon and evening. See Hydrology discussion again for more details for Friday's heavy rain/flash flood threat. Saturday and Sunday are also shaping up to be active weather days. While there is slight drying noted as flow aloft turns slightly more W-SW, we'll likely see daily shortwaves as we'll be in the favorable right entrance region of an upper level jet. Bulk shear will also be increasing again which means a greater risk of a couple severe storms. Temperatures will remain below seasonal normals by several degrees with potential for backdoor cool fronts. Highs on the plains are expected to average in the lower 80s. For early next week, there is still good agreement for a drier westerly component as the ridge begins to amplify over the Central/Southern Rockies. That will support less storm coverage starting Monday, and temperatures warming to or just above seasonal norms. There's more uncertainty for later next week whether we return to monsoonal southwest flow or stay drier and more westerly. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday/... Issued at 1116 AM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026 Will keep in tempo group for stronger storms between 20Z and 00z although mid level cloud cover could limit heating and strength of storms. From 00Z to 04z still can't rule out widely sct weaker storms so will keep in a Prob30. Winds will shift to a more ENE/E direction by 20z and then have erratic speeds and directions as storms moves across with brief gusts from 30 to 40 mph. For early this evening will keep winds ESE with more of a SE direction by 04z and then to drainage by 07z. Very late tonight, from 11Z thru 15z, there could be some low clouds/fog. Current data has it staying mainly to the N/NW of DIA and APA with some potential for it affecting BJC. For now have only mentioned a tempo group at BJC for ceilings down to 500 ft and visibility in the 1-3 mile range. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 120 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026 There are several ingredients in place for heavy rain this afternoon into the evening; 1) Warm cloud depth is 5,000-6,500 feet, deepest on the plains. 2) Precipitable Water (PW) 150-180% of normal. 3) Average storm motion near 15 kts, and some training of cells also possible given potential for shallow/non-existant cold pools in storms. 4) Moderate instability, leading to stronger storms. The above mentioned ingredients are expected to produce heavy precipitation rates, on the order of 1.5" or greater in 30-45 minutes. Therefore, it's not impossible for localized flash flooding in urban areas should stronger storms develop. The highest risk would be just east of Denver, unless we can surge in the stronger easterly low level winds with the weak surge on the eastern plains (greater uncertainty here). Short range models and HREF still point to the highest probability just east of Denver, per latest PMM and LPMM suggesting local 2-4" rain totals in the stronger storms. And it should be noted that could fall in just an hour or slightly more given the favorable heavy rain parameters in place. Therefore, we'll maintain the Flood Watch for flash flooding over the eastern plains, while expanding it slightly into southern Lincoln County where a greater risk is foreseen into this evening. For Friday, the setup and ingredients look quite similar again, with the highest risk just east of the I-25 Corridor. However, forward storm motion is expected to increase slightly to around 20 kts. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 10 PM MDT this evening for COZ042-044>049. && DISCUSSION...20 AVIATION...RPK HYDROLOGY...20
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Aug 13, 1:49 PM MDT, 2 hours 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
149 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
COZ036-041-132030-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet CO-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet CO-
149 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY
UNTIL 230 PM MDT...
At 149 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles east of Westcreek, or 40 miles south of Denver, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch 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.
Locations impacted include...
Larkspur, Perry Park and Greenland.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3913 10512 3917 10517 3937 10501 3920 10476
3913 10488
TIME...MOT...LOC 1949Z 225DEG 13KT 3915 10505
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
09Special weather statement, Aug 13, 3:10 PM MDT, 50 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
310 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
COZ039-040-132145-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County CO-Boulder And Jefferson
Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield County CO-
310 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN DENVER...
SOUTHWESTERN ARAPAHOE AND EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 345
PM MDT...
At 310 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles south of Lakewood, or 11 miles southwest of Denver, moving east
at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch 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.
Locations impacted include...
Southwestern Denver, southeastern Lakewood, southwestern
Centennial, Littleton, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Sheridan,
Cherry Hills Village, Columbine and Ken Caryl.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3963 10516 3968 10517 3968 10515 3970 10514
3970 10515 3972 10495 3957 10493 3957 10514
3958 10515 3960 10515 3960 10516
TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 263DEG 9KT 3963 10511
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
63Special weather statement, Aug 13, 3:35 PM MDT, 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
335 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
COZ036-132200-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet CO-
335 PM MDT Thu Aug 13 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON AND
NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES UNTIL 4 PM MDT...
At 335 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Buffalo Creek, or 27 miles southwest of Denver, moving east at 10
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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.
Locations impacted include...
South Platte, Buffalo Creek, Sprucewood and Foxton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3930 10529 3950 10531 3951 10511 3950 10511
3950 10512 3949 10511 3949 10512 3948 10513
3948 10511 3946 10509 3930 10508
TIME...MOT...LOC 2134Z 267DEG 10KT 3940 10523
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
63The office that day
Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 6:06 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Logan | 39 min |
| Aug 12, 6:09 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Logan | 3 hr |
| Aug 12, 6:28 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Phillips | 47 min |
| Aug 12, 6:39 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Logan, Phillips | 36 min |
| Aug 12, 7:16 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Phillips, Sedgwick | 44 min |
| Aug 12, 7:45 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Logan | 30 min |
| Aug 12, 8:35 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Phillips | 40 min |
| Aug 12, 10:25 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Elbert | 50 min |
| Aug 12, 11:14 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Morgan | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 2:18 AM MDT | Flood Watch | BOU | Adams, Arapahoe, Elbert, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan and 2 more | 22 hr |
| Aug 13, 1:49 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Douglas | 41 min |
| Aug 13, 2:42 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Clear Creek, Jefferson | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 2:53 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Arapahoe, Denver, Jefferson | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 3:03 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Douglas | 105 min |
| Aug 13, 3:10 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Jefferson | 35 min |
| Aug 13, 3:32 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Jefferson | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 3:35 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Jefferson | 25 min |
| Aug 13, 3:49 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Arapahoe, Denver | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 3:58 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Arapahoe, Douglas | 32 min |
| Aug 13, 4:04 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Douglas | 26 min |
| Aug 13, 4:11 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Elbert | 34 min |
| Aug 13, 4:12 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Lincoln | 33 min |
| Aug 13, 4:19 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Elbert | 41 min |
| Aug 13, 4:21 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | BOU | Arapahoe, Denver | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 4:27 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Arapahoe | 33 min |
| Aug 13, 4:31 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Lincoln | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 4:35 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert | 21 min |
| Aug 13, 4:55 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Elbert | 3 hr |
| Aug 13, 4:56 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Lincoln | 34 min |
| Aug 13, 5:04 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Lincoln | 4 hr |
| Aug 13, 5:14 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Lincoln, Washington | 31 min |
| Aug 13, 5:17 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Elbert | 43 min |
| Aug 13, 5:40 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Lincoln | 50 min |
| Aug 13, 5:41 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Lincoln, Washington | 34 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.