A flash flood warning is in effect for Boulder until 12:45 a.m. Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service notification warns of flooding creeks, streams, ditches, streets and intersections.
Cars and pedestrians brave the heavy rain at the intersection of 30th and Colorado this evening. (Ed King/CU Independent)
“Up to two inches of rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring in the Erie, Lafayette and Niwot areas. Flash flooding is expected to become more widespread as heavy rain continues,” said the news release from the weather service.
The weather service reminds people that flash flooding is a “life threatening situation,” and residents and drivers should be especially cautious at night when danger is harder to recognize.
Boulder still has a few wet, chilly days ahead as the Front Range enters into its fourth day of downpours on Thursday.
This week’s rain showers have already broken some precipitation records and increased this year’s lagging state water totals.
Boulder received 1.02 inches of precipitation Tuesday, surpassing the Sept 10. record set in 2002 of .91 inches, according to Jim Kalina, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
Downpours like this week’s are not typical for early September in Colorado, according to data from the weather service. Last year it only rained 2.27 inches in Boulder during the entire month.
“The rain this morning was so depressing,” said Rodney Hooks, a junior and integrated physiology major. “I think it is usually hard to get up and go to class, but the rain makes it especially difficult.”
But the rain isn’t all bad news. Colorado has had an exceptionally dry summer, with severe drought affecting 100 percent of the state for 63 consecutive weeks through the end of August.
The chance for rain persists into the weekend, but next week promises clearer skies.
“Looks like it’s going to be pretty much like this until Thursday night,” Kalina said. “Then it’s going to start warming up by Friday, with a slightly less chance of rain this weekend.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Ari Browne at Shikari.browne@colorado.edu.
