Flood and Hail in Colorado, July 6 to 8, 2022

Name: Flood and Hail in Colorado, July 6 to 8, 2022
Start: 2022-07-06T15:50
End: 2022-07-08T10:00
Location: Colorado

July 6 to 8, 2022 · NWS GLD · 4 events in 1 county or zone

During the afternoon hours on the 6th, isolated storms developed over Eastern Colorado and evolved into a line of storms that moved east into Northwest Kansas through the night. 5 inches.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $10
Crop damage: $10
Events: 4

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS GLD wrote it up.

During the afternoon hours on the 6th, isolated storms developed over Eastern Colorado and evolved into a line of storms that moved east into Northwest Kansas through the night. These storms produced wind gusts estimated up to 60 mph across Cheyenne County, Colorado along with up to penny sized hail and heavy rain up to 4.5 inches. The heaviest rainfall amounts were reported in the eastern half of Cheyenne County with reports of visibility as low as one-eight of a mile at times. The heavy rain also caused some road flooding on a county road southwest of Arapahoe, Colorado that lasted through the late morning hours on the 8th. No damage was reported from these storms.

What forecasters said that day

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 Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 6, 1:50 PM MST, 2 hours earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 6, 1:50 PM MST, 2 hours before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
250 PM MDT Wed Jul 6 2022

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday)
Issued at 250 PM MDT Wed Jul 6 2022

Tonight...a strong weather disturbance is forecast to move off of
the Palmer Divide and into far eastern Colorado in the 4 PM MDT to 8
PM MDT timeframe, continuing east into adjacent counties of
northwest Kansas and extreme southwest Nebraska through about 9 PM
MDT (10 PM CDT). Supercell thunderstorms are anticipated with all
modes of severe weather possible, including locally heavy rainfall
(precip water values of 1.3-1.6 inches with storm motions of 10 to
15 mph). After about 10 PM MDT (11 PM CDT) the supercells develop
into a cluster of storms continuing to the east and out of the area
several hours after midnight. The severe weather threat transitions
to strong outflow winds and a continued threat for locally heavy
rainfall and threat for flash flooding (precipitable water values of
1.5-2.0 inches). Low temperatures are expected to be in the upper
50s to upper 60s.

Thursday-Thursday night...the forecast area is expected to be under
subsidence in the wake of last nights system for most of the day
until the next weather system moves into far eastern Colorado near
or slightly after 6 PM MDT (7 PM CDT). Any thunderstorms with this
system look to last long enough to move into adjacent counties of
northwest Kansas and extreme southwest Nebraska during the evening
before generally dissipating shortly after midnight as they continue
east. High temperatures are expected to be in the upper 80s to lower
90s. Low temperatures are expected to be in the upper 50s to upper
60s.

Friday-Friday night...the upper level ridge center slides to the
west over New Mexico and the Texas panhandle with ridging aloft
building. Rainfall chances are generally confined to the Cheyenne
Ridge and Palmer Divide areas in the afternoon (Flager area),
sliding southeast into the Cheyenne Wells, Tribune and Leoti areas
during the evening. High temperatures continue in the upper 80s to
lower 90s. Low temperatures fall into the lower to upper 60s.

Saturday...a 600dam high pressure center is forecast to be over
south central Colorado. A lack of moisture will prevent any
thunderstorms from forming. High temperatures rise a few degrees
into the lower 90s to around 100 degrees.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Wednesday)
Issued at 125 PM MDT Wed Jul 6 2022

With an amplifying ridge coming off of the Rockies this weekend,
Saturday night’s low temperatures will remain in the 60s to 70s
while Sunday’s high temperatures will be in the triple digits.
Our western counties will have an increased fire weather risk on
Sunday as RH values will be in the teens and winds will gust over
20kts.

At 250mb, a trough along the U.S. and Canada boarder will begin
pushing the ridge to the east. As these two features collide, the
flow will become more zonal and begin taking on a slight northern
component around the start of the workweek. This will help cooler
temperatures enter the Tri-State area Sunday night into Monday.
Most of the CWA can expect low temperatures Sunday night to be 5
to 10 degrees above normal. Cooler temperatures will be present
throughout the early half of next week with high temperatures
being in the 90s from Monday to Wednesday. Nighttime low
temperatures will be in the 60s.

Monday evening will be our first decent chance of rain in the long
range forecast. Tuesday evening also has a chance of
precipitation, but confidence is not as high with these showers.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon)
Issued at 1100 AM MDT Wed Jul 6 2022

KGLD...sub VFR cigs are expected from taf issuance through about
19z with winds from the north around 10kts. From 20z through the
rest of the period VFR conditions are expected. Winds will be
generally from the northeast around 10kts through 06z, shifting to
the northwest at speeds up to 10kts around 07z then northerly
around 10kts after 15z. Showers and thunderstorms may be around
the terminal from taf issuance through the afternoon but the best
chance at this time for thunderstorms to impact the terminal is in
the 03z-07z timeframe where wind gusts could exceed 40kts with
locally heavy rainfall that may produce sub VFR cigs and
visibilities.

KMCK...VFR conditions are expected through about 11z. From taf
issuance through the afternoon winds will be generally from the
northeast up to 10kts. Its possible for cigs to flirt with MVFR
status with a showers possible around the terminal. Tonight, winds
generally light and variable. Hard to pinpoint a thunderstorm
chance but right now its around the 06z-08z timeframe with gusty
winds the primary hazard. From 12z-14z sub VFR cigs and possibly
vis likely with light and variable winds. After 15z VFR conditions
return with a north wind up to 10kts.

&&

.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...NONE.
CO...NONE.
NE...NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...99
LONG TERM...CA
AVIATION...99

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 6, 1:45 PM MST, 2 hours 5 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Goodland KS
245 PM MDT Wed Jul 6 2022

COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-071200-
Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-
Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-
Red Willow-
245 PM MDT Wed Jul 6 2022 /345 PM CDT Wed Jul 6 2022/

This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska...
northwest Kansas and east central Colorado.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible across the area
through mid afternoon. Severe weather is possible but not likely.

Supercell thunderstorms are expected to move into far eastern
Colorado by 5 PM MDT, continuing east into adjacent counties of
northwest Kansas and extreme southwest Nebraska around 7 PM MDT (8
PM CDT). All modes of severe weather are possible including hail up
to the size of golf balls, wind gusts up to 70 mph, locally heavy
rainfall which could produce flooding of poor drainage and low lying
areas or flash flooding.

A large cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms are anticipated to
move across the area from west to east from about from about 9 PM
MDT (10 PM CDT) through about 4 AM MDT (5 AM CDT). The primary
hazards include wind gusts up to 65 mph, hail up to one inch in
diameter and locally heavy rainfall which may produce flash flooding
or flooding of poor drainage and low lying areas.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible late Thursday afternoon
into the evening for locations generally east of a line from Wray to
Leoti. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary hazards.

Elevated fire weather conditions are possible Sunday afternoon for
locations along and west of Kansas Highway 27. Heat index values
around 103 degrees are expected across Norton and Graham counties.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will be needed through 2 AM MDT (3 AM CDT). We
would appreciate reports of severe weather via telephone and social
media.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 12:01 PM MST, 3 hours 49 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
201 PM CDT Wed Jul 6 2022

KSZ042-061915-
Wichita KS-
201 PM CDT Wed Jul 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Wichita
County through 215 PM CDT...

At 201 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles southeast of Leoti, moving north 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.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern
Wichita County, including the following locations... Lydia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Goodland.

&&

LAT...LON 3827 10131 3847 10118 3846 10113 3827 10112
      3826 10130
TIME...MOT...LOC 1901Z 200DEG 19KT 3828 10122

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

TT

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 1:14 PM MST, 2 hours 36 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
314 PM CDT Wed Jul 6 2022

KSZ015-016-062045-
Sheridan KS-Graham KS-
314 PM CDT Wed Jul 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Sheridan and west central Graham Counties through 345 PM CDT...

At 314 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles northeast of Park, or 11 miles southeast of Hoxie, moving
northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
  Morland.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Goodland.

&&

LAT...LON 3913 10019 3914 10045 3944 10027 3934 9998
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 213DEG 17KT 3926 10026

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Trigg

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 1:20 PM MST, 2 hours 30 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
320 PM CDT Wed Jul 6 2022

KSZ004-016-062045-
Norton KS-Graham KS-
320 PM CDT Wed Jul 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Norton and
northwestern Graham Counties through 345 PM CDT...

At 320 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Lenora, or 12 miles northwest of Hill City, moving
northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Lenora around 340 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Edmond.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3936 9996 3943 10016 3956 10016 3974 9999
      3965 9967
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 211DEG 23KT 3948 10002

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Trigg

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 1:42 PM MST, 2 hours 8 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
342 PM CDT Wed Jul 6 2022

KSZ004-015-016-062115-
Norton KS-Sheridan KS-Graham KS-
342 PM CDT Wed Jul 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Norton,
east central Sheridan and northwestern Graham Counties through 415 PM
CDT...

At 341 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles south of Lenora, or 15 miles northwest of Hill City, moving
northeast at 20 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.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Lenora around 355 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Goodland.

&&

LAT...LON 3928 10009 3927 10028 3983 10000 3962 9963
      3957 9963 3957 9962
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 210DEG 19KT 3955 10002

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Trigg

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 1:44 PM MST, 2 hours 6 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
244 PM MDT Wed Jul 6 2022

COZ090-062115-
Yuma County CO-
244 PM MDT Wed Jul 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Yuma
County through 315 PM MDT...

At 244 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles northeast of Cope, or 23 miles south of Yuma, moving northeast
at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 southwestern Yuma
County, including the following locations... Joes, Abarr and Kirk.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Goodland.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
northeastern Colorado.

&&

LAT...LON 3983 10280 4003 10270 3983 10234 3957 10264
      3957 10280
TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 222DEG 11KT 3979 10264

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Trigg

Local storm report, Jul 6, 3:49 PM MST, 1 minute before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GOODLAND KS
449 PM MDT WED JUL 6 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0400 PM     HEAVY RAIN       4 SSE NEW ALMELO        39.54N 100.07W
07/06/2022  M1.50 INCH       GRAHAM             KS   PUBLIC

            REPORT OF AN INCH AND A HALF OF RAIN FROM
            STORMS THE PAST 12 HOURS ENDING AT 22Z.

&&

KAK

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 103 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:50 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Cheyenne

When: July 6, 3:50 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 1.42 mi NNE of Aroya
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 38.869, -103.121

Hail sizes ranged from half inch to penny in size.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne

When: July 6, 7:15 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 5.64 mi N of Kit Carson
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.852, -102.785

Outflow winds associated with a cluster of thunderstorms moving over Cheyenne County were estimated to produce up to 60 mph wind gusts north of Kit Carson, Colorado.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheyenne

When: July 6, 7:25 PM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 4.3 mi E of Kit Carson
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.764, -102.701

A band of storms moving across Cheyenne County produced wind gusts up to 60 mph east of Kit Carson, Colorado.

Flood, Cheyenne

When: July 6, 8:30 PM MST to July 8, 10:00 AM MST
Where: Cheyenne County, 3.7 mi SE of Salis to 3.71 mi SE of Salis
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10
Crop damage: $10
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.792, -102.221

A band of storms slowly moved over eastern Cheyenne County producing rainfall amounts up to 4.5 inches of rain. The heaviest rain was reported roughly 7 miles northwest of Firstview, Colorado with amounts up to 3.25 inches reported in area of Arapahoe and Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Roughly 5 miles southwest of Arapahoe, heavy rain accumulated in a creek that eventually caused flooding over portions of County Road 51. The water depth was estimated to be up to 6 inches. No damage was reported from the flooding.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Colorado in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in Colorado, July 2022

Sources

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: 1044773, 1044774, 1044775, 1044782.