Weather
Boulder weather from Boulder Channel 1 News : Includes latest up to the minute weather forecasts from Nationals Weather Service in Boulder. Team coverage from Boulder Channel 1 News during Snow, and floods. See our weather on Twitter @BoulderCh1News and FaceBook Boulder Channel one. Be a weather watcher: write Boulder.BoulderChannel1@gmail.com or call News 303-447-8531
T-Storms High gusty winds headed to Boulder: Prepare to Evacuate
Jun 27th
But this could back fire and drive fire fighters out of Shanahan ridge. Fire could destroy that entire area in the next three days. Below , weather report from NOAA does not bode well for Boulder. We are in a Red Flag warning high fire state. It would be prudent to pack your entire home if you live in Shanahan ridge area. You could lose it all.
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS AND
SOUTH PARK IN PARK COUNTY FOR SOME DRY THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING
WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT TODAY…
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST AND NORTH CENTRAL
COLORADO.
.DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT
INCREASING CLOUDS OVER COLORADO AT MIDDAY WILL SPAWN SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND OVER THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS
THIS AFTERNOON. SOME OF THESE STORMS WILL PRODUCE STRONG AND GUSTY
WINDS AND FREQUENT CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING. WHILE OTHER STORMS
MAY DEPOSIT UP TO A QUARTER INCH OF RAIN IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES.
THUNDERSTORMS ARE THEN EXPECTED TO MOVE OUT OVER THE NEARBY PLAINS
WHERE THEY MAY PRODUCE SIMILAR WIND GUSTS AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.
HOWEVER…STORM COVERAGE IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS GREAT AS THAT IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY. MOST OF THIS STORM ACTIVITY SHOULD DIMINISH
LATER THIS EVENING.
OTHERWISE..SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES AND HIGHER HUMIDITIES ARE
ON TAP FOR THE OUTLOOK AREA TODAY. A WEAK COLD FRONT BACKING INTO
NORTHEAST COLORADO EARLY THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
SOME OF THE COOLING ON THE PLAINS.
Five Day Weather Forecast FOR BOULDER
This Afternoon: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph becoming east southeast. Winds could gust as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southeast wind 6 to 14 mph becoming west northwest. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Thursday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind between 10 and 13 mph becoming light. Winds could gust as high as 17 mph.
Thursday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Friday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Boulder has enough water for now
May 11th
The City of Boulder’s water supply is expected to meet community water use needs throughout 2012, despite below-average mountain snowpack levels. However, given this year’s dry weather pattern and low snowpack, the city will continue to monitor for drought conditions through 2012 and beyond to assure that water demand projections are on target. In addition, Boulder’s water customers are asked to continue to use water wisely.
Snowpack measurements on May 1, 2012, in the city’s Silver Lake Watershed averaged about 50 percent of what is typical for this time of year. As a result, peak spring streamflow levels will be lower than average.
However, last spring’s exceptionally high snowmelt runoff completely filled the city’s reservoirs on upper Boulder Creek, and the reservoirs stayed full longer, leaving storage levels above average at the beginning of this year. Current measurements indicate that the city’s reservoirs are still projected to fill as the snowpack melts. Additionally, Boulder will have access to an above average amount of water from its western slope supplies, through the Colorado-Big Thompson (CBT) system.
The city compared the evaluation of the current water supply conditions with its Drought Response Plan, which factors in water reserve needs in the event of a multi-year drought. While it was determined that a drought declaration and water use restrictions are not necessary at this time, water customers are still encouraged to continue using water wisely as they have for the past decade. The community’s water conservation efforts have kept water use at least 15 percent below 2000-2001 levels, since the 2002 drought.
The city recommends water-wise practices by sticking to the following outdoor watering guidelines:
- Water your lawn in the evenings or early mornings, after 6 p.m. or before 10 a.m., and water your lawn every three days.
- Do not over water. Do not water when it is raining or when the soil is already wet.
- Trees, shrubs and vegetable gardens can be watered more effectively with a hand-held hose or low-volume non-spray irrigation, after 6 p.m. or before 10 a.m.
- Check your sprinkler system and make sure it is working properly and that you are only watering landscaping and not the surrounding areas like streets or sidewalks.
For information about the city’s water conservations program, including rebates, strategies and tips, visit www.bouldersaveswater.net.
Boulder flood season a-comin' and it could be a bad mofo
Apr 13th
Colorado Severe Weather Week reminds community to be Flood Aware
Colorado Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 15 to April 22, and the City of Boulder, Boulder County and the University of Colorado would like to remind community members that along with severe weather comes flash floods. Flash floods in Boulder can happen at any time throughout the year.
Boulder is the number one flash flood risk community in Colorado due to its location at the mouth of Boulder Canyon, the number of people who live and work within the Boulder Creek floodplain, and the numerous other drainage basins running through the city. Therefore, flood safety and preparation is always a high priority for the community.
Since the Fourmile Canyon Fire occurred in 2010, the flood risk to Boulder Creek and Fourmile Canyon Creek has increased due to a lack of vegetation and permeable soil in the burn area. If a severe storm were to occur over the burn area, rain runoff and flooding would be greater than in the past. This increased flood potential could last anywhere from 2 to 10 years until the landscape starts to recover.
The City of Boulder and its partners are working together to prepare for the season and to educate community members on how to prepare.
What can you do?
Be alert. It can be raining in the mountains and burn area but be dry in Boulder. Rainfall in the burn area could result in:
- Muddy or murky creek water downstream.
- Creek levels rising more quickly.
- Higher frequency of flooded underpasses.
- Increased possibility of flash flooding.
If it is raining, avoid seeking shelter in underpasses. Many of Boulder’s underpasses serve the double purpose of conveying flood waters and will flood when creeks overflow.
Remember, flash floods can literally occur IN A FLASH during a severe storm. In 2011, several people went to Boulder Creek to try to witness flooding as it was occurring. This is unwise and dangerous. People should NOT go to the creek when flood waters are rising. Flash floods are not like floods in other parts of the country that rise gradually. A significant flash flood could sweep down a creek in a matter of minutes, leaving little time to get to safety.
It’s important that residents and people who work in Boulder keep track of the weather and know the dangers. Here are some steps residents and employees can take to increase their safety if a flood event should occur in Boulder:
Before a flood – Be ready:
- Have a plan for where to meet in an emergency and make sure children know where to go when they are at school or away from home.
- Keep an emergency kit accessible. Include a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, flashlights, rubber boots and gloves, first-aid supplies, medicines, water stored in tightly-sealed containers and food that requires no cooking or refrigeration.
- If you’re concerned about your property being flooded or are in a floodplain, purchase flood insurance. A homeowner’s insurance policy will NOT cover flood damage. There is a 30-day waiting period before new coverage goes into effect.
- Fill out a Family Flood Action Plan and post it in your home. Visit www.boulderfloodinfo.net to print one or pick one up at one of the Boulder Public Library or at the city’s Municipal Building at 1777 Broadway.
- Sign up to get emergency alerts sent to you on your phone, email or Twitter account atwww.BoCo911Alert.com. CU students, faculty and staff can sign up for CU Alerts athttp://www.colorado.edu/alerts.
During a flood:
- Move to higher ground immediately.
- Stay out of flowing waters. Swift moving waters may sweep people away.
- Avoid driving through flooded areas. Cars float in 18 inches of water, and half of all flood fatalities are auto related.
- Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Electrocution is the number two killer in floods.
- If time allows, turn off electricity and gas.
- When an emergency warning is issued by sirens, radio or other media, seek information immediately. Tune radios and televisions to local news stations.
There is no way to predict whether flooding will occur. It is dependent on many variables including intensity, duration and location of storms as well as existing soil conditions. The best course of action is to be alert and be prepared. The city maintains a flood information website that can help residents prepare before, during and after a flood event. For more information about personal preparedness, visit www.boulderfloodinfo.net.