Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 29, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

August 15, 2026Douglas County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this flash flood warning at Aug 15, 2026, 1:41 PM MDT for Douglas 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 15, 2026, 1:41 PM MDT (19:41 UTC)
Expired
Aug 15, 2026, 4:12 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Douglas County, CO

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:41 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.

973 
WGUS55 KBOU 151941
FFWBOU
COC035-152245-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FF.W.0029.260815T1941Z-260815T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Denver CO
141 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Douglas County in northeastern Colorado...

* Until 445 PM MDT.

* At 141 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain
  has fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 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...
  Greenland.

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 3918 10466 3913 10481 3917 10488 3932 10477
      3932 10469 3930 10466

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

20
2 follow-up statements
128 
WGUS75 KBOU 152055
FFSBOU

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
255 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

COC035-152245-
/O.CON.KBOU.FF.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260815T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Douglas CO-
255 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM MDT THIS
AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY...

At 255 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms had moved out of
the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Flooding
impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is expected. 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...
  Mainly rural areas of Southeastern Douglas County.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  Carpenter Creek, Cherry Creek, West Cherry Creek, East Cherry
  Creek, Antelope Creek, Crowfoot Creek and Lake Gulch.

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 3930 10478 3918 10485 3916 10479 3920 10471
      3928 10471 3932 10472

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

20
736 
WGUS75 KBOU 152212
FFSBOU

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
412 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

COC035-152222-
/O.CAN.KBOU.FF.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260815T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Douglas CO-
412 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN DOUGLAS
COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed any remaining closures.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MDT for portions of
central, east central, north central, and northeast Colorado.

&&

LAT...LON 3930 10478 3918 10485 3916 10479 3920 10471
      3928 10471 3932 10472

$$

20

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 15, 1:12 PM MDT, 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Another round of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are the main threats today. A few thunderstorms could become severe, with strong winds and hail possible.
  • Monsoon moisture lasts through Sunday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms again tomorrow.
  • Warming and drying trend for Monday and Tuesday.
  • Another active day possible middle of next week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 15, 1:12 PM MDT, 29 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
112 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Another round of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and
  evening. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are the main threats
  today. A few thunderstorms could become severe, with strong
  winds and hail possible.

- Monsoon moisture lasts through Sunday, bringing scattered
  showers and thunderstorms again tomorrow.

- Warming and drying trend for Monday and Tuesday.

- Another active day possible middle of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Saturday/...
Issued at 103 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

The wetter weather pattern will continue on through this weekend.
For today, there is a risk for severe weather and flash flooding.
The eastern plains should be located near the right entrance region
of a jet over the central US with a small disturbance expected in
the flow aloft. GOES-19 satellite imagery shows a cirrus shield
currently over the mountains that could initially inhibit convective
development. Nevertheless, convective development is starting to
occur across the foothills and in Larimer county. We expect showers
and thunderstorms to develop across the foothills early this
afternoon and move into the I-25 corridor by mid-to-late afternoon.
These storms will then move off to the east in the late afternoon
and early evening.

The previously mentioned cirrus shield could hinder rain coverage
and/or push this timing a bit later. The biggest threat for today
will be heavy rainfall with some episodes of flash flooding possible
across the area. The Weather Prediction Center highlights the
foothills, I-25 corridor, and the eastern plains in a slight (2/4)
risk for excessive rainfall for today. Several ingredients are in
place for this threat. Thus, a Flood Watch is in effect from 2pm to
10pm this afternoon and evening. See the hydro discussion for more
details.

The Storm Prediction Center highlights the plains in a
slight (2/5) risk. MLCAPE values are forecast to be around 1000-1200
J/kg and 0-6 km shear will be around 30-40 kts. Large hail and
damaging winds are possible from storms today, with the highest
chances along the Palmer Divide.

Tomorrow will bring similar threats as today, though we expect less
coverage of thunderstorms. Thus, the threats will be more localized
in nature. MLCAPE and bulk shear values are forecast to be lower
than today. The highest chances for showers and thunderstorms
tomorrow should stay along/near the Palmer Divide, but there will
still be scattered storms possible for most of our plains.

High pressure will shift closer to our area for Monday and Tuesday
further lowering rain chances and raising temperatures to around
90 degrees for the plains. By Wednesday, high pressure should
shift off to the southwest, opening the door for a disturbance to
move through the flow aloft and bringing back some isolated to
scattered rain chances. This will only be a brief break as high
pressure will start to build over the Four Corners region.
Temperatures are expected to return to the low to mid 90s across
the plains for the end of the week and into next weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday/...
Issued at 1243 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

Current radar imagery shows scattered showers and thunderstorms
developing over the foothills and moving east. We have opted to
include PROB30s at all three airports to reflect the chance for a
isolated storm or erratic gusty outflow in the vicinity before
21Z, when the primary threat window begins. Lightning and winds
gusting up to 40KT will be the main concern, although rainfall
rates could be heavy enough to cause some visibility reductions
(2SM-4SM) if the core of a storm tracks over the airport. Showers
and storms may linger until 03Z, particularly if outflows over the
eastern plains initiate additional storms near KDEN and KAPA.

Winds will turn light and variable late this evening before a very
weak S-SW drainage flow takes shape around 06Z. There is a 40%
chance that low stratus and/or fog from the northeast CO plains
makes it to the Denver metro, with the better chance at KDEN and
KBJC. We have decided to keep low ceilings out of the TAFs for now
due to uncertainty, but changes may need to be made in the next TAF,
particularly if guidance continues to suggest very weak or variable
surface winds all night. There will be another chance for isolated
showers and storms Sunday afternoon, between 21Z and 00Z.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 103 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

Several ingredients are in place for the excessive rainfall
threat today. PWATs values will be around 150% of normal. Warm cloud
layer heights will approach 5000 feet, allowing for rather efficient
warm rain processes. Easterly (upslope) winds are occurring which is
continuing to advect moisture into the area. Dewpoints should be in
the 50s for the I-25 corridor and low to mid 60s across the plains
this afternoon and evening. Significant portions of our area have
received 2 to 5 inches over the last 3 days, lowering flash flood
guidance. Although, storm motions should be a touch faster than
yesterday- around 20-25 kts. Any storms today could produce 1 to 2
inches in 30 minutes. Rainfall totals for today could be in excess
of 2 to 4 inches. Given the nature of these storms, there will be
varying rainfall totals across short distances. A Flood Watch is in
effect from 2pm to 10pm this afternoon and evening.

For tomorrow, moisture is expected to decrease- PWATs will drop to
about 100 to 125% of average. The flooding risk for tomorrow will be
lower than today and more isolated in nature. The Weather Prediction
Center only highlights the Palmer Divide in a slight (2/4) risk for
excessive rainfall for tomorrow, where storm coverage should be
highest.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 10 PM MDT this evening for COZ036-038>051.

&&

DISCUSSION...MV
AVIATION...AA
HYDROLOGY...MV

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 1:16 PM MDT, 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
116 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

COZ036-039-151945-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County CO-Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above
6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below
9000 Feet CO-
116 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND
NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM MDT...

At 116 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Indian Hills, or 18 miles southwest of Denver, moving east 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...
  Lakewood, southern Golden, Evergreen, Morrison, Tiny Town, Red
  Rocks Park, Indian Hills, Idledale, Kittredge, Aspen Park,
  Chatfield Reservoir, Ken Caryl, Pleasant View, Genesee and
  Columbine.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3950 10530 3969 10533 3976 10508 3967 10506
      3967 10508 3965 10506 3964 10508 3963 10511
      3962 10509 3963 10508 3962 10507 3961 10510
      3961 10506 3962 10505 3957 10505 3954 10507
      3950 10509
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 261DEG 11KT 3960 10526

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 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 14, 6:14 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUWashington46 min
Aug 14, 6:20 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUDouglas72 min
Aug 14, 6:44 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUElbert3 hr
Aug 14, 7:00 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUWashington45 min
Aug 14, 7:03 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUElbert42 min
Aug 14, 7:10 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUMorgan, Washington2 hr
Aug 14, 7:37 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUWashington100 min
Aug 14, 7:44 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULogan46 min
Aug 14, 8:37 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUPhillips, Sedgwick53 min
Aug 14, 8:58 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUElbert6 hr
Aug 14, 9:03 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Elbert, Morgan36 hr
Aug 14, 9:29 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULogan, Phillips, Sedgwick3 hr
Aug 15, 1:06 AM MDTFlood WatchBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver and 13 more19 hr
Aug 15, 1:05 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUClear Creek, Jefferson, Park2 hr
Aug 15, 1:16 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUJefferson29 min
Aug 15, 1:26 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUArapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson2 hr
Aug 15, 1:26 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson34 min
Aug 15, 1:58 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUDouglas3 hr
Aug 15, 2:08 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUDenver37 min
Aug 15, 2:16 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Douglas, Elbert29 min
Aug 15, 2:27 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver2 hr
Aug 15, 2:34 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver24 min
Aug 15, 2:44 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver3 hr
Aug 15, 3:16 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUMorgan, Weld3 hr
Aug 15, 3:26 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUWeld34 min
Aug 15, 4:02 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUDenver37 min
Aug 15, 4:08 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUWeld3 hr
Aug 15, 4:18 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUMorgan27 min
Aug 15, 4:39 PM MDTAreal Flood WarningBOUArapahoe, Denver111 min
Aug 15, 4:48 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULogan, Weld3 hr
Aug 15, 5:20 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULogan40 min
Aug 15, 5:31 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULogan3 hr
Aug 15, 5:49 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULincoln41 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.