I sent my drone up yesterday to shoot some towering cumulus clouds over Pagosa Peak (Coyote Loop Trail is in the foreground).
7-30-21: 8:30am update…
We have a Flash Flood Watch in effect today and tomorrow for our surrounding mountains (mainly over 8000 feet). While Pagosa Springs is not in the Watch Box, based on rainfall totals of nearly an inch that fell downtown on Thursday, flash flooding is possible even if you are not in the shaded areas of the watch.
As is always the case with convective events, there were rain lottery winners and losers, but based on rainfall and hail reports that I have seen (thanks to all of you who share your rain totals), this was one of the best days we’ve had for most of us recording at least some rain. One cell that developed near Chimney Rock dropped a radar estimated 2.5 inches of rain and most likely hail yesterday! Downtown got a big downpour around 4pm. Sensors and COCORAHS reports indicate almost an inch fell there very quickly.
With high pressure over the plains and lots of moisture on the surface and in the mid-levels of our atmosphere, there is no reason we won’t see a repeat performance through the weekend for afternoon thunderstorms.
My forecast…
The rest of today…A good chance for scattered afternoon and evening storms with a high near 80. Storms will be slow movers from south to north today. Rainfall totals will range from 0-0.50, but could approach or exceed an inch. There is a Flash Flood watch for higher elevations in our area. As we saw yesterday, some storms could become severe enough to produce small hail, brief heavy rain, wind gusts over 40mph and lots of lightning!
Saturday-Sunday: Continued good chances for afternoon thunderstorms. As is the case with convective activity, there will be rain lottery winners and losers. Each day we could see 0-0.50 inches of rain or higher with double that total in the mountains. Lows will remain in the upper 40’s to low 50’s and highs around 80.
For any of you visiting our area, watch out for rapidly changing weather conditions when storms move in! Temps can drop 20 degrees in minutes, winds can gust to 40mph and lightning and small hail is always a possibility.
-Mark Langford
Check out my Pagosa Peak Cam (myearthcam.com) for watching hikers, bikers and of course, the weather.
Pagosa Springs historical data for July 30th
| Average High | Record High / Year | Average Low | Record Low / Year |
| 83 | 93 / 1972 | 47 | 35 / 1950 |
6 Responses
So, yesterday afternoon around 3 ish up in Oak Hill Ranches @ 8K we got some of the most hail and size I’ve seen in 28 years! Shredded the oaks and garden and part of my gravel driveway you can’t see the gravel for the pine needles just striped off the trees! Lasted about 20 -30 minutes and when I stepped outside my workshop the hail on the walkway was 3 to 4 inches deep.
Wow…that is unusual for up here. These storms have been potent!
We are so excited to report 1″ of rain in our gauge! Log Park off Fawn Gulch Road. Yippee!
Congrats! July is going to go down as a great rain month!
.4″ yesterday total Lake Forest area. Great lightning too…
Thanks for your update and glad you got some decent rain!