Weather forecasts for Grand County this week call for mostly clear skies and a minimal chance of rainfall but despite those seemingly idyllic conditions federal officials have issued a flood advisory for portions of Middle Park.
Tuesday afternoon, shortly before 1 p.m., officials from the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for northeastern Grand County due to concerns about the impacts of snowmelt, following heavy snowfall that fell in the region during the first days of summer.
“Snowmelt is causing the Colorado River in Rocky Mountain National Park to overflow its banks,” stated federal weather forecasters. “A parking lot and two trails have been closed in the park as low lying areas flood next to the river. Minor flooding will continue over rural areas along headwaters of the Colorado River in extreme northeast Grand County.”
Officials from the National Weather Service noted that a flood advisory means “river or stream flows are elevated or is imminent.” The flood advisory is set to remain in effect until 1:15 p.m. Saturday.
Despite the flood advisory for northeastern Grand County weather forecasts for Middle Park next week looking conducive to a holiday weekend. Skies are expected to be sunny with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms developing after noon as temperatures climb as high as 78 degrees. Conditions will be mostly clear Wednesday night with a low of 42.
Independence Day is expected to be sunny with a high near 78 degrees and light winds from the southwest gusting up to 22 mph. There is a 10 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms developing. The sunny weather should continue on into Friday with a 30 percent chance of rain showers or afternoon thunderstorms.