Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 17, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

August 13, 2026Douglas County, Jefferson County, Colorado

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

$$

09
2 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

$$

09
070 
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

$$

09

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 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

09
Special 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

63
Special 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

63

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 12, 6:06 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatBOULogan39 min
Aug 12, 6:09 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULogan3 hr
Aug 12, 6:28 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUPhillips47 min
Aug 12, 6:39 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULogan, Phillips36 min
Aug 12, 7:16 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUPhillips, Sedgwick44 min
Aug 12, 7:45 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULogan30 min
Aug 12, 8:35 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUPhillips40 min
Aug 12, 10:25 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUElbert50 min
Aug 12, 11:14 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUMorgan3 hr
Aug 13, 2:18 AM MDTFlood WatchBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Elbert, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan and 2 more22 hr
Aug 13, 1:49 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUDouglas41 min
Aug 13, 2:42 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUClear Creek, Jefferson3 hr
Aug 13, 2:53 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUArapahoe, Denver, Jefferson3 hr
Aug 13, 3:03 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUDouglas105 min
Aug 13, 3:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUJefferson35 min
Aug 13, 3:32 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUJefferson3 hr
Aug 13, 3:35 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUJefferson25 min
Aug 13, 3:49 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUArapahoe, Denver3 hr
Aug 13, 3:58 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Douglas32 min
Aug 13, 4:04 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUDouglas26 min
Aug 13, 4:11 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUElbert34 min
Aug 13, 4:12 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULincoln33 min
Aug 13, 4:19 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUElbert41 min
Aug 13, 4:21 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUArapahoe, Denver3 hr
Aug 13, 4:27 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe33 min
Aug 13, 4:31 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULincoln3 hr
Aug 13, 4:35 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUElbert21 min
Aug 13, 4:55 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUElbert3 hr
Aug 13, 4:56 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULincoln34 min
Aug 13, 5:04 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULincoln4 hr
Aug 13, 5:14 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULincoln, Washington31 min
Aug 13, 5:17 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUElbert43 min
Aug 13, 5:40 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULincoln50 min
Aug 13, 5:41 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatBOULincoln, Washington34 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.