the 2013 colorado flood - colorado climate...
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The 2013 Colorado Flood
Nolan Doesken Colorado Climate Center Colorado State University
http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu Presented 27 Feb 2014 Colorado Flood Forum Broomfield, Colorado Prepared with assistance from Zach Schwalbe and Wendy Ryan
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Since the late 1990s Colorado had not experienced any
widespread severe flooding
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Remember, it was only a few months ago when drought still held a dusty grip on much of Colorado
Photo by Lyric Lucero Manzanola, CO June 2013
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And wildfire and water shortages were our main concern
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Let’s think back to summer 2013
Credit: Henry Reges
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June brought another round of hot and dry weather for much of the state, while SE Colorado finally received some beneficial rains.
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July the monsoon started!
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And continued intermittently in August for much of the state
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Then came September 2013
Weather Conditions at the Colorado State University Main Campus Weather Station September 1 though 16, 2013
. . HEAT!! . . . . Humidity . .
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CO
Case Study of Colorado Flood Event GOES Imagery with NEXRAD Radar Overlays
Hourly animation: 9 – 15 Sept 2013
Base reflectivity contours in dBZ
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
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Rains came first to the W Slope Sept. 7-8 and spilled over to the Front Range later on the 9th
Credit: thedenverchannel.com
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Low stratus upslope developed along the Front Range
Credit: Henry Reges
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By Sept 11, 2013 ingredients for very heavy rains were in place
(Image from Western Water Assesment Satellite image: CIMSS, University of Wisconsin)
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Total Atmospheric Precipitable water over Denver from 1948 - 2012
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Many rain gauges to document this storm! Nearly 2,500!!!
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September 11 – 12 Precipitation (inches)
This analysis based on rain gauge data only
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This analysis also based on rain gauges only
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Gauge+calibrated radar Storm-total Rainfall, north central Colorado, Sep 8-17, 2013
Acknowledgement: Map created with the Storm Precipitation Analysis System (SPAS) through a collaborative effort by Applied Weather Associates, LLC, MetStat, Inc. and the CSU Colorado Climate Center. Radar data supplied by Weather Decision Technologies, Inc.
Note: Heaviest Rainfall in the St. Vrain and Big Thompson watersheds fell at higher elev-ations than other watersheds contributing to the observed extreme hydrologic response.
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Average Storm Total of these 12 station = 5.64 inches
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Average Storm Total of these 12 station = 7.47 inches
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Records back to 1893 at Boulder NWS Wx Stn. were shattered Also at other locations E.P. etc
• All time 1-day rainfall, 9.08” (previous record was 4.80”)
• 2-day rainfall, 11.52” • 7-day 16.9” • Monthly precip total, 18.16” (nearly double the previous record) • Total Water Year precip, 33.35”
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New Colorado one-day rainfall record set 12 Sep 2013
• Fort Carson Rod and Gun observing station -- 11.85” calendar day total -- 12.46” for 24-hour period ending 9 AM Sep 13, 2013
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Top 10 Years: 1. September 2013 2. May 1969 3. November 1946 4. April 1921 5. July/August 1976 6. March 2003 7. July 2012 8. June 1949 9. October 1923 10. April 1944
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It has rained hard in September before September 1938 Flood in Eldorado Springs, CO
Some Similarity to September 2013
Photo copyright by the Denver Public Library.
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Flooding on Colorado State University Campus, September 1938
Credit: Colorado State University Library
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Floods happen, drought happens – And Data Collection should happen!
Photos by H. Reges
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Mapping Precipitation --The Value of Volunteers --
Rainfall for 24-hours ending 7 AM 13 September 2013
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Thanks for Measuring!!
12 Sep 2013
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9/12/2013 in Boulder County
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9/13/2013 Denver Metro
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