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Double Trouble in Mexico

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Here is something you don't often see:  Pacific and Atlantic tropical storms striking Mexico simultaneously. On the Pacific side is T.S. Manuel and, on the Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico) side is Ingrid. Neither is expected to reach hurricane force (the probabilities related to tropical storm force -- sustained 39 mph to 73 mph -- winds. The major threat is flooding rainfalls. More than a foot of rain is likely to fall with Ingrid causing severe flooding in northeast Mexico.

1.5 Million! Thank You!

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Any moment, our blog will pass the 1.5 million page views mark. Mindy Cook and I would like to thank you for coming to our blog. The sponsor of the blog is Mike Smith Enterprises, LLC. Our business is professional speaking about extreme weather with a goal of saving lives, saving money, and, yes, inspiring people by exposing them to the majesty of nature. We also write books and articles about weather. We will have an exciting announcement on that subject in a few days.  In the meantime, we just updated our web site and invite you to take a look. Thanks again. /s/ Mike and Mindy

Colorado Flooding Update

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A caution from meteorologist Tanja Fransen via Facebook: In regards to all the photos of kids and adults standing in flooded waters in Colorado it makes me mad. It shouldn't be taken lightly, and the diseases, chemicals, etc that floodwaters carry with them can harm you! Our local USGS person even got very sick in our flooding in 2011, and he was not in the water, but taking streamflows from a boat or lines above the rivers. Agree 100%. That is why I have not been showing photos of that behavior on the blog. "Turn around, don't drown." Don't walk or drive into a flooded area. It is dangerous on several levels. This video shows the water rushing through downtown Estes Park at 4:30am MDT this morning. Keep in mind that it is likely that few or none of these businesses and homes have flood insurance. This will be a terribly costly disaster. Based on the river gauge (subject to USGS validation), the Big Thompson River crested just over 1.5' above the 19...

Media Malpractice: Lack of Colorado Flood Coverage

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CNN's home page this morning: The Colorado flooding isn't mentioned. It is simply amazing how little coverage this major event is receiving. Take a look at this map: This is the large area of Boulder where an evacuation was attempted during the night. This includes the downtown. But, where were people to go?  There was flooding everywhere and Boulder was cut-off from the outside world. The one shelter that has been set up was overflowing. This is a major news story. Here is the regional rainfall for both the last 23 hours and the last five days: Interstate 70 is closed west of Denver. It is still open to the east.  The forecast 5-inch plus rainfall fell just south of the highway. Here is a closeup of the rain in Colorado Springs, yes that is more than a foot in the last 24 hours. Here is the Denver-Boulder closeup for the last five days. Highway 34 in the Big Thompson Canyon has collapsed. The river is forecast to crest higher  than in the e...

Major Flooding Threat in Mexico

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A tropical depression has formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Will it will likely strengthen into a tropical storm, the huge threat is major flooding in northeast Mexico. If you are planning to travel to Monterrey or this area, strongly consider postponing it. The heavy rain forecast for far south Texas will be net beneficial due to the extreme drought in that area.

Quick Colorado Update

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Dangerous situation... As expected (see below), major flash flooding has developed in the Colorado Springs metro area. Here is the rainfall since 6am MDT. Yes, that is eight inches in the dark red. As of 9:02pm MDT, rain continues to fall in the metro Colorado Springs area. Green polygons are flash flood warnings. Farther north, a rare flash flood emergency  is in effect in the Boulder area. Here is the rainfall from 6am today to 8pm MDT this evening. Another four inches in the Boulder area. That is six inches in Aurora and southeast Denver. Here is the radar at 9:06pm MDT. The green polygons are flash flood warnings. Here is the total rainfall for the last five days. That is 14" in southeast Boulder near the University of Colorado campus. Boulder Creek is used for training by meteorologists as a "disaster waiting to happen." It appears those fears have come to pass. click to enlarge any map In my opinion, this is not making the national news t...

Colorado Flooding Update

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UPDATE: 3PM MDT. Per questions via Facebook: Yes, there is a flash flood threat in the Colorado Springs - Manitou Springs area this evening and tonight. ORIGINAL POSTING: Here is the four day rainfall up to 1pm MDT. Yes, that is a 12" area northwest of Boulder. It continues to rain over the area. click to enlarge Here is the radar up to 2:45pm MST. The green polygons are current flash flood warnings. Because this is a tropical air mass, yellow = heavy rains rather than the reds you would expect to see. The storms are generally moving from south to north. I urge everyone in this area, or traveling through it, to continue to monitor this situation.  Note: This will be the last update for today on the flooding in Colorado.