On May 10, 2017, widespread and slow-moving convection brought heavy rainfall and flooding to parts of southern Colorado. This convection was in association with a closed low passing to the south of the state. The upper-level system had been sitting nearly stationary to the southwest of Colorado over the previous couple of days, bringing convection and heavy precip to areas of southern Colorado. Of particular concern on the 10th was training convection in the Beulah area southwest of Pueblo. Burn scars from Fall 2016 wildfires caused these areas to be particularly prone to flooding.

GOES-16 imagery was utilized to monitor the development and evolution of convection during the period. Persistent, nearly stationary overshooting tops indicated strong updrafts with potentially heavy rainfall over the region leading to a dangerous flooding situation. In the animation below, the wide view reveals the low center spinning over Albuquerque, and zoomed in view shows persistent convection west of Pueblo.

– Bill Line, NWS

“The GOES-16 data posted on this page are preliminary, non-operational data and are undergoing testing. Users bear all responsibility for inspecting the data prior to use and for the manner in which the data are utilized.”