Residual monsoon moisture resulted in another round of showers and thunderstorms across southwest and west-central Colorado. Some storms produced heavy rain which led to localized flooding and debris flows in portions of Ouray and Pitkin counties.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.
Residual monsoon moisture resulted in another round of showers and thunderstorms across southwest and west-central Colorado. Some storms produced heavy rain which led to localized flooding and debris flows in portions of Ouray and Pitkin counties.
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 Jul 16, 2:46 PM MST, 1 hour 14 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 346 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Sunday night) Issued at 346 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022 Subsidence on the backside of the trough which moved through the region overnight resulted in early sunshine across eastern Utah and western Colorado this morning. Instability driven by the strong early insolation caused thunderstorms to develop around 17Z with the first cells forming northwest of the Grizzly Creek burn area. This prompted first a watch, then a warning as cells moved over the burn scar. However, models showed drier air working southward over the northern zones and given cooling/stabilization occurring with the passage of earlier storms, will not reissue the Flood Watch for the Grizzly Creek. Drier air in the absence of forcing should bring showers and thunderstorms to an end by 8 or 9 PM with clearing skies overnight. As mentioned previously, drier air spreads southward across three-quarters of the forecast area by Sunday afternoon as high pressure spreads westward cutting off the influx of subtropical moisture. This will leave just extreme southeast Utah and southwest Colorado under the deeper moisture. Consequently, there will be a downturn in moist convection Sunday afternoon with showers and thunderstorms ending earlier in the evening. Deeper moisture across the south favors the San Juan Mountains where storms will be more numerous. Drier air over much of eastern Utah and western Colorado will result in increased sunshine which will drive temperatures to levels well above normal during the afternoon. Expect readings in the low 100s across the Grand Valley in western Colorado and the lower elevations of southeast Utah during the afternoon and early evening. This heat may pose health issues for some and therefore, a Heat Advisory has been issued for those areas which goes into effect at noon and continues through 8 PM in the evening. Drying and cooling will bring more stable conditions Sunday evening bringing a rapid decrease in moist convection with clearing skies allowing high temperatures to moderate pretty quickly after sunset. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday) Issued at 346 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022 The long and short of things for the coming work week are that eastern Utah and western Colorado will remain under this monsoonal pattern, with daily variation. A trough trekking across the Northern Rockies on Monday will shift the center of high pressure to the east a bit, placing the Four Corners region back under the Monsoonal Fire- hose. With moisture pumping into the area and the trough axis pushing through right around peak heating, Monday afternoon is looking like a higher end day as far as storm coverage, with heavy rain and gusty winds as the main threats. The trough continues east, and in response the high shifts back to the west and cuts the moisture off again for midweek. With moisture trapped under the ridge and ready to be recycled, expect thunderstorms to form off the terrain each afternoon, moving out over adjacent valleys by the evening hours. Another trough moves toward the West Coast by late week, and while there are model discrepancies, there is an indication that this trough will nudge the high pressure further east into the Plains. This has the potential to put eastern Utah and western Colorado under a very favorable monsoonal flow and bring back more widespread convection. However, with the disagreements in model forecasts, will need to keep an eye on how this feature develops. Meanwhile, with high pressure overhead throughout the period, with only subtle shifts in position, temperatures will continue to run hot. Current guidance keeps triple digits for the desert valleys through the week. No heat highlights are in effect for the workweek at this point, but do stay tuned. With prolonged heat and little in the way of nighttime relief, a heat advisory is a possibility. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon) Issued at 1130 AM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022 Showers and storms have begun to fire off the higher terrain at this hour. Have included VCTS for all TAF sites through the afternoon and evening hours. Impacts from storms include gusty winds in excess of 40 mph and brief heavy rainfall that may drop conditions into MVFR. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail for the next 24 hours. && .GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CO...Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Sunday for COZ006. UT...Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM MDT Sunday for UTZ022-027-029. && SHORT TERM...NL LONG TERM...BGB AVIATION...TGJT
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 346 AM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022 COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-171000- 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- 346 AM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022 This hazardous weather outlook is for eastern Utah and western Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered afternoon storms are expected today and they will be capable of producing gusty outflow winds and small hail. The stronger cells may have moderate to heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Daily thunderstorms remain possible each day with the better chances in the higher terrain. Coverage and intensity of storms may change from day to day. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1228 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
COZ004-005-008-010-013-161900-
Central Colorado River Basin CO-Flat Tops CO-
Upper Yampa River Basin CO-Elkhead and Park Mountains CO-
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys CO-
1228 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central Eagle
and southeastern Routt Counties through 100 PM MDT...
At 1227 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles south of Yampa, or 38 miles northeast of Glenwood Springs,
moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Mc Coy, Bond and Toponas.
This includes the following highways...
Colorado 131 between mile markers 17 and 39.
Colorado 134 between mile markers 1 and 7.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3983 10669 3994 10707 4010 10707 4013 10668
TIME...MOT...LOC 1827Z 274DEG 16KT 4002 10696
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BGBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1237 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
COZ008-010-013-161900-
Central Colorado River Basin CO-Flat Tops CO-
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys CO-
1237 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Eagle
and east central Garfield Counties through 100 PM MDT...
At 1236 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles northwest of Gypsum, or 16 miles northeast of Glenwood Springs,
moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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.
Locations impacted include...
Gypsum, Dotsero and Sweetwater.
This includes Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 128 and
143.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3972 10730 3989 10709 3977 10676 3950 10703
TIME...MOT...LOC 1836Z 303DEG 14KT 3975 10716
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BGBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
102 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
COZ004-008-010-013-161930-
Central Colorado River Basin CO-Flat Tops CO-
Elkhead and Park Mountains CO-
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys CO-
102 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Eagle
County through 130 PM MDT...
At 102 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16
miles north of Gypsum, or 29 miles northeast of Glenwood Springs,
moving southeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Burns.
This includes Colorado 131 near mile marker 22.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3985 10713 3999 10704 3993 10674 3972 10689
TIME...MOT...LOC 1902Z 299DEG 10KT 3987 10698
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BGBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
142 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
COZ019-022-162015-
Animas River Basin CO-Southwest San Juan Mountains CO-
142 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central La
Plata County through 215 PM MDT...
At 142 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Durango, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Durango and Trimble.
This includes the following highways...
U.S. Highway 550 in Colorado between mile markers 21 and 32.
U.S. Highway 160 in Colorado between mile markers 78 and 85, and
between mile markers 89 and 99.
Colorado 172 near mile marker 24.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3727 10797 3741 10794 3743 10763 3717 10767
TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 282DEG 10KT 3731 10785
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BGBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
251 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
COZ019>021-162115-
Southwest San Juan Mountains CO-
Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River CO-
Four Corners/Upper Dolores River CO-
251 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Dolores and
north central Montezuma Counties through 315 PM MDT...
At 251 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles northwest of Dolores, or 43 miles southeast of Monticello,
moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Dolores, Lebanon, Yellow Jacket and Lewis.
This includes the following highways...
U.S. Highway 491 in Colorado between mile markers 33 and 45.
Colorado 145 between mile markers 3 and 14.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3751 10879 3777 10867 3777 10832 3735 10849
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 287DEG 21KT 3761 10861
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BGBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
338 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
UTZ025-027-162215-
Arches/Grand Flat UT-Tavaputs Plateau UT-
338 PM MDT Sat Jul 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Grand County
through 415 PM MDT...
At 337 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 24
miles east of Green River, moving southeast at 15 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.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of central Grand
County.
This includes Interstate 70 in Utah between mile markers 187 and 198.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3910 10982 3913 10969 3895 10947 3891 10972
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 325DEG 15KT 3902 10972
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
15The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 debris flow, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The Cedar Hill Cemetery outside of Ridgway experienced flooding as a result of heavy rain from thunderstorms.
A minor debris flow occurred on the Jaffee Connector Trail between Jaffee Park and the Rio Grande Trail in Pitkin County as a result of heavy rain from thunderstorms.
A debris flow several inches thick of mud and rocks occurred on portions of the Rio Grande Trail in Pitkin County as a result of heavy rain from thunderstorms.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, July 2022
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: 1033481, 1035749, 1035748.