If there can be a good side to flash floods and heavy rains, it might be that the threat of forest fires has been reduced.
Boulder, Grand and Larimer counties have removed their fire restrictions banning open flames. Fire conditions in those three counties are now considered to be “moderate,” with the likelihood they will not rise above average in the near future.
And more wet weather is on the way.
This afternoon, a flash-flood warning has been issued for the Arkansas River Valley, extending from Colorado Springs south to the New Mexico state line and from Buena Vista east to a line about 25 miles east of Interstate 25.
There also is a hazardous weather outlook for north central and northeast Colorado, from Wyoming to Denver and from Steamboat Springs to Kansas.
The National Weather Service says afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms could produce heavy rains, possibly with some flooding in areas that have received heavy rains in the past week. Washington, Lincoln and Elbert counties seem particularly vulnerable to flooding if the heavy rains materialize.
The Sangre de Cristo and Wet mountains in the south central part of the state could receive heavy rain and small hail, along with lightning strikes and wind gusts up to 40 mph.
On Monday, Julesburg received 1.44 inches of rain, the heaviest in the state. Limon and Parker received half an inch of rain. Springfield was the hottest spot in the state, with a high temperature of 99 degrees, while Leadville had the lowest at 45 degrees early this morning.
