Possible Thunderstorms during the Summit?

2555 Views 33 Replies 25 Participants Last post by myyoda, Jul 13, 2008

FJ4X420

Discussion Starter · Jul 10, 2008 (Edited)

Just checked the weather report, hopefully these guys are wrong like usual...

*updated as of 7/12/08*
Jul 12 Tonight
Isolated thunderstorms this evening. Skies will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 50F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Jul 13 Tomorrow
Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. High 73F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Jul 13 Tomorrow night
Isolated thunderstorms in the evening. Cloudy skies overnight. Low 51F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Jul 14 Monday
Scattered thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s and lows in the upper 40s.
Jul 15 Tuesday
Scattered thunderstorms. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s.
Jul 16 Wednesday
Isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s.
Jul 17 Thursday
Partly cloudy with a stray thunderstorm. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the upper 40s.
Jul 18 Friday
A few thunderstorms possible. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the low 50s.
Jul 19 Saturday
Partly cloudy, chance of a thunderstorm. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the low 50s.
Jul 20 Sunday
Chance of showers. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the low 50s.
Jul 21 Monday
Showers possible. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s.

10 Day Weather Forecast for Ouray, CO - weather.com

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1 - 20 of 34 Posts

Racer001

· #2 · Jul 10, 2008

I will be pretty upset if its a washout. I'm already irked that black bear won't be open....all the pictures I've seen made me want to do that trail the most. Stupid mother nature lol

RockyMtnHigh

· #3 · Jul 10, 2008

I wouldn't rely on that, give it 10 minutes and it will change.

shane4x4

· #4 · Jul 10, 2008

A lot can change in a week

4RnrJ

· #5 · Jul 10, 2008

Yeah folks don't worry too much about that 10 day forcast. For two weeks in fort collins I haven't ridden my bike into work because of T-storms warning and rain predictions, and we haven't gotten one drop in a week. Weather is especially hard to predict in Colorado b/c there just aren't models good enough to truly predict what the Rockies are going to do to weather passing over them.

It could be sunny all week, or t-storms, you won't know until that day.

Athena

· #6 · Jul 10, 2008

4RnrJ said:
Yeah folks don't worry too much about that 10 day forcast. For two weeks in fort collins I haven't ridden my bike into work because of T-storms warning and rain predictions, and we haven't gotten one drop in a week. Weather is especially hard to predict in Colorado b/c there just aren't models good enough to truly predict what the Rockies are going to do to weather passing over them.

It could be sunny all week, or t-storms, you won't know until that day.

this is very true guys..the weather changes here every 10 min. We've had 2 rain showers for this whole summer already... and I live in the mountains.

skersfan

· #7 · Jul 10, 2008

At altitude it is common for a shower every day. Just adds beauty to the trip, I doubt it will be raining constant. Actually the clouds and the extreme changes make the scenery evern more beautiful.

I camp at 10,000 feet in Utah, and it normally rains every afternoon for about 30-45 minutes, I love it.

Nothing to worry about, there is little chance that it could wash out the event, as the trails are almost all rock, bring a rain jacket and get ready for a wonderful time in some of the most beautiful mountain country in the US.

I can harly wait.

Jim_D

· #8 · Jul 10, 2008

If it does rain heavily on successive days the trails there can get extremely sketchy and conditions can be more than a little hazardous. I was there several years ago when it was raining heavily and it was truly scary. Someone was killed by a dislodged boulder crashing through his jeep roof very close to where we had passed on the same day. We had to traverse lots of slides across the trail; and you don't have anywhere to go but right over the slide on most of the trails.

Jim

CRAW

· #9 · Jul 10, 2008

Plus the terms "scattered" or "isolated" when dealing with storms is hit and miss, more likely a miss. Fret not California peeps.

frogeye

· #10 · Jul 10, 2008

RockyMtnHigh said:
I wouldn't rely on that, give it 10 minutes and it will change.

Last year at the summit it rained on us the first two days in the afternoon. No biggie. The weather really does move in and out fast in the mountains.

FJ4X420

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 10, 2008

CRAW said:
Plus the terms "scattered" or "isolated" when dealing with storms is hit and miss, more likely a miss. Fret not California peeps.

Yeah I guess us CA peeps do feak out when we see a little rain or thunder

Rain or shine I am sure we will have an awesome Summit.

Katfish

· #12 · Jul 10, 2008

FJ4X420 said:
Yeah I guess us CA peeps do feak out when we see a little rain or thunder Rain or shine I am sure we will have an awesome Summit.

...and us AZ people are hoping for it.......

Gunny

· #13 · Jul 10, 2008

There are two types of people you know are going to lie to you...........

1. Popliticians
2. Weathermen

Arkarch

· #14 · Jul 10, 2008

Last July I was there a week in Ouray and enjoyed good thunderstorms most every day around 2 to 4 pm. Small storms just weaving about the canyons and passes Sometimes violent and a bit unnerving when traveling near the top of 13k peaks - especially with pointy antennas - but the vehicle is not grounded. Its just the top end of the circulation parked at the four corners that helps cause Monsoon in the southwest.

DominicG

· #15 · Jul 11, 2008

At least my roof doesn't leak anymore.

Sean K.

· #16 · Jul 11, 2008

It is VERY common in the summer months in SW Colorado (San Juans in particular) to have afternoon showers. They usually don't last long....a few hours at the most and are generally fairly gentle and relaxing if you're back at camp. Trail running only becomes an issue when there is heavy rain for long periods or for several days in a row of heavy t-storms.

Personally, one of my favorite things about visiting CO in the summer is the afternoon storms. It's an awesome time to lay under a tarp and take a nap!

Sean

Sky

· #17 · Jul 11, 2008

The typical weather pattern for the Colorado Rockies in the summer is beautiful clear mornings, cloud build-up in the afternoon with a thunderstorm or not. Anybody that does outdoor activity in the mountains knows to do hikes or whatever early so you don't get caught in the weather, especially if you are going above tree line, which varies but is around 11,000-11,500 feet in elevation. If you are on top of Black Bear, Imogene, or Engineers or any other high pass during a thunderstorm, stay in your vehicle.

CADavebert

· #18 · Jul 11, 2008

How about a 15 day outlook? I'm sure it's 100% accurate.

AccuWeather.com - Ouray, CO - 15 Day Weather Forecast - Local Weather Forecasts

On one other site (can not find it now) I saw the rainfall totals for the last days this month where it did rain. While it showed like 4-5 days of rain, there was only 1/10th of an inch total accumulation.

I think we'll be just fine.

ColoradoCruiserDude

· #19 · Jul 11, 2008

I am pretty sure that all weathercasters start out as interns in Colorado before they move on to the predictable weather pattern states.

So basically according to the forcast, expect highs in the 70's with scattered snow showers possible!

Athena

· #20 · Jul 11, 2008

Jim_D said:
If it does rain heavily on successive days the trails there can get extremely sketchy and conditions can be more than a little hazardous. I was there several years ago when it was raining heavily and it was truly scary. Someone was killed by a dislodged boulder crashing through his jeep roof very close to where we had passed on the same day. We had to traverse lots of slides across the trail; and you don't have anywhere to go but right over the slide on most of the trails.

Jim

oh the drama!

We'll be fine..most of the time when the clouds build up it's a 25% chance that it actually comes your way. I've lived in the mountains for over 10 years..they pick their course / valley they go down. Mountains are big detours.

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

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