Weather Alert in Colorado
Hydrologic Outlook issued May 8 at 1:46PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
AREAS AFFECTED: Archuleta, CO; Delta, CO; Dolores, CO; Eagle, CO; Garfield, CO; Gunnison, CO; Hinsdale, CO; La Plata, CO; Montezuma, CO; Montrose, CO; Ouray, CO; Pitkin, CO; San Juan, CO; San Miguel, CO
DESCRIPTION: ESFGJT Risk of areal flooding and elevated stream flows from rapid snowmelt ...EXISTING CONDITIONS... Recent storms have brought several inches of new snow to mid to high elevations (8500' to 10,000') over the San Juans mountains, nosing along the Divide across Central Colorado. With forecast temperatures running 5 to 15 degrees above normal and the potential for showers and storms along the Divide each afternoon through the weekend, this region of western Colorado is vulnerable to enhanced runoff and elevated stream flows from rapid snowmelt. ...PRECIPITATION... Isolated to scattered showers and storms developing each afternoon favor high terrain across the southwest San Juans and along the spine of the Divide. Due to warming conditions, precipitation in the form of rain is possible as high as 10,000'. Although anticipated storm totals are low, generally 0.1" to 0.2", rain on snow could enhance the rate of snowmelt. ...STREAMFLOW CONDITIONS AND RUNOFF FORECASTS... Streams and rivers in the area will see elevated flows of dangerously cold water over the next several days. Low-lying areas across mountainous terrain (8500' to 10,000') are most susceptible to swelling of area streams and/or localized inundation. Stay away from fast moving water and exercise caution near riverbanks and streams. Updated weather and water products and forecasts are available from the NWS Grand Junction's website at: Www.weather.gov/gjt
INSTRUCTION: N/A
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Weather Topic: What is Rain?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Rain
Next Topic: Shelf Clouds
Precipitation in the form of water droplets is called rain.
Rain generally has a tendency to fall with less intensity over a greater period
of time, and when rainfall is more severe it is usually less sustained.
Rain is the most common form of precipitation and happens with greater frequency
depending on the season and regional influences. Cities have been shown to have
an observable effect on rainfall, due to an effect called the urban heat island.
Compared to upwind, monthly rainfall between twenty and forty miles downwind of
cities is 30% greater.
Next Topic: Shelf Clouds
Weather Topic: What is Sleet?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet
Next Topic: Snow
Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary
components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones,
and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and
therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.
The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be
wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer
layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air
it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water
droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is
freezing rain.
Next Topic: Snow
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