High-based thunderstorms produced strong outflow winds as the storms collapsed across portions of western Colorado.
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The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.
High-based thunderstorms produced strong outflow winds as the storms collapsed across portions of western Colorado.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at May 26, 10:06 AM MST, 1 hour 47 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1106 AM MDT Sun May 26 2019 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Monday) Issued at 357 AM MDT Sun May 26 2019 Here we go again. Hopefully you can get outside today because more rain and snow is on the way. Until then, expect another relatively sunny day though clouds will be on the increase from the afternoon onwards. The closed low off to our west will start moving eastward today in response to the upper level jet digging into the base of the low and and also moving eastward. As this occurs, the subtropical jet will be moving over Arizona and New Mexico. While the strongest portion of the jet will stay to our south, we'll still see some 90kt upper level winds as the jet, as a whole, moves to the east. This upper level support looks to provide enough lift to get some convection going this afternoon, generally from a line from about Telluride, up to the Grand Mesa and Flat Tops and all areas eastward. This is also where the best CAPE lines up and though moisture will be on the low side, there should be enough available for convection to fire. Soundings keep an inverted V-profile in place so expect another day of gusty outflow winds from any convection, including showers, that form. High clouds will also start moving in from about mid-afternoon onwards, give or take, as the low slowly gets closer. Finally, the other concern will be some gusty surface winds today in response to the tightening pressure gradient. Gusts of 30 mph will be common this afternoon with some spots flirting with 40 mph at times. South eastern Utah will need to be watched for a possible advisory but with midlevel clouds moving in, believe they will keep the stronger winds aloft from mixing to the surface. Of course, if the clouds don't materialize, get ready for some stronger gusts. Sunday night into Monday morning will be generally quiet but from daybreak onwards, things will get going. The low pressure will be over the Las Vegas area and will bring some precip to eastern Utah and far western Colorado before spreading to much of the area by midafternoon. Expect some showers and thunderstorms as the low approaches given the lift associated with the low. Snow levels will be around 9K feet to start with so some snow is possible above that level with with such warm antecedent conditions in place, don't expect much, if any, accumulation on road surfaces during the day. By evening, snow levels will continue to drop as H7 temps drop to the -3 to -5C range. This is when some accumulation is likely. Debated on issuing a watch for the upcoming storm but some uncertainty remains, as they always do with late spring storms, so another run or two won't hurt. Will issue a special weather statement to highlight the fairly drastic change in conditions from today to tomorrow. .LONG TERM...(Monday night through Saturday) Issued at 357 AM MDT Sun May 26 2019 Deep and cold upper level low will be lifting northeast across the Four Corner Monday night with snow levels quickly dropping in the High Country. Late holiday travelers will likely be impacted with rain/snow with some potential for heavy snow above the 9k mark, especially across the San Juans Monday night, spreading northward into our central and northern mountains by Tuesday morning. As the low jumps the divide, flow aloft will swing to the north and northwest with moisture wrapping back around. Rain and mountain snow showers will continue for much of the day on Tuesday with temperatures a solid 15 to 25 degrees below seasonal norms. This system is expected to kick out across the Plains Tuesday night. More zonal pattern tries to set up from Wednesday through Saturday with a series of waves passing through. Should see at least scattered showers each afternoon and evening with the higher elevations favored. A little more organized wave appear to drive through on Thursday, so a little uptick anticipated. Temperatures will gradually climb back toward normal by the end of the week. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Monday afternoon) Issued at 1103 AM MDT Sun May 26 2019 Some isolated showers and storms will fire over the mountains today with KTEX, KASE and KEGE possibly being affected. Still expecting strong southerly winds of 25 to 35kt, possibly higher at times, from 18Z through 02Z. High clouds will also be on the increase from midafternoon onwards and will start to lower overnight. VFR conditions are expected through 12z tomorrow with precipitation beginning to move into portions of eastern Utah and western Colorado towards the end of the period. && .GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CO...None. UT...None. && SHORT TERM...TGR LONG TERM...JDC AVIATION...KJS
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 513 AM MDT Sun May 26 2019 COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-271115- 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- 513 AM MDT Sun May 26 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for eastern Utah and western Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Some isolated showers and thunderstorms will form over the high country this afternoon, mainly along the Continental Divide. Some gusty winds of 20 to 30 mph are also expected. A few higher gusts are possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday A system will bring much cooler temperatures to the region on Monday. Rain, showers, thunderstorms, and accumulating mountain snow is also expected Monday through late Tuesday night. Drier and warmer conditions return for remainder of the week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
The Grand Junction radar (KGJX), 68 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:53 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The automated weather station at the Montrose Regional Airport measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph from outflow winds associated with a strong thunderstorm.
The automated weather station at the Cortez-Montezuma Airport measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph from outflow winds associated with a strong thunderstorm.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, May 2019
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 815694, 815693.