More rain moved through Pagosa Country last weekend and earlier this week, with the heaviest amounts falling on Monday, July 1.
According to Shawn Prochazka from Pagosa Weather, reports from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) for July 1 noted that some areas in the county received more than 2 inches of rain within 24 hours for the first time since May 2014.
According to CoCoRaHS, downtown Pagosa Springs saw the most rainfall on July 1 with reports of 2.24 inches and 2.25 inches. Areas around uptown Pagosa Springs reported figures ranging from .66 inches to 2.02 inches, while Aspen Springs reported 1.61 and 1.71 inches.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Grand Junction office issued a flood watch for all of southwestern Colorado on from Sunday, June 30, to Monday, July 1.
Washouts
According to a communication from Archuleta County Road and Bridge Manager Eric McRae, the recent storms caused significant washouts on eight county roads, including County Road (CR) 335, CR 400, CR 411, CR 500, CR 917, Big Sky Place, the intersection of Fox Place and Teepee Place, and Terry Robinson Road.
He adds that the county is aware that other roads have also experienced washouts, but that these are the worst washout areas and that the county is addressing these first.
McRae comments that “countless” ditches and culverts in the county have also been clogged by the recent storms, adding that the county will work to address those as quickly as possible.
At an Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners work session on July 2, Public Works Director Mike Torres indicated that the county hopes to have the washouts addressed by Wednesday, July 3, to be prepared for future rain and flooding events.
Forecast
According to the NWS, no precipitation is forecasted for this weekend.
For Thursday, July 4, the forecast is mostly sunny with a high of 86 degrees and a low of 43 degrees. A light variable wind of 5 to 10 mph is expected with potential gusts as high as 20 mph.
For Friday, July 5, the high is forecast at 83 degrees with mostly clear skies and a low of 45 degrees.
Saturday, July 6, has a forecast high of 83 degrees and a low of 45 degrees, with mostly clear skies all day.
For Sunday, July 7, the forecast high is 86 degrees, with a low of 46 degrees.
According to Prochazka, a drier weather pattern set in on Tuesday, July 2, which he notes may last at least a week, if not longer.
clayton@pagosasun.com
