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Long Term Climate - Colorado Drought Update- May 25, 2002 Nolan Doesken A wonderfully beneficial cold rain changing in some
areas to wet snow left The rains and wet snows did increase streamflow in the South Platte and its tributaries and significantly improved soil moisture and reduced water demand in the Fort Collins-Denver urban corrider. Enough moisture fell in this are to meet ET demand for at least a week. Unfortunately, much of the state did not receive this beneficial precipitation. The outlook for the next few days is warming up with temperatures headed into the 70s and 80s except in the mountains. This will mean increased ET rates and moisture stress. Some afternoon thundershowers may develop, but at this time isolated to scattered showers are about the best we can expect. Based on historic data, the next 2-3 weeks is still a wet period for northern and eastern Colorado -- but a very dry period for western and southern Colorado. The first half of June over eastern Colorado is the most likely time of year for severe weather -- hail and tornadoes. It is very uncommon to be totally dry at this time of year over the Eastern Plains, but with each passing week, the chances for widespread soaking rains decrease and is replaced by localized downpours. Hot temperatures and rapid drying conditions (if you have any water to begin with) usually kick in during June. When soil moisture is very limited, summer daytime temperatures are often very hot, but nighttime temperatures are relatively cool.
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