Flash Flood Watch Issued For Central, Northeast Colorado

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for many regions in central and northern Colorado.

The weather alert will be in effect Thursday from 11 a.m. until midnight for more than a dozen cities, including Denver, Boulder, Arvada, Lakewood, Golden, Littleton and Castle Rock.

"Increasing moisture and instability today will lead to widespread thunderstorm development by the early afternoon," the weather alert read. "Heavy rain and flash flooding will be possible in these slow moving storms, especially over burn areas.

"Rapid increases in water in creeks and small drainages could make
roads become quickly impassable."

If there's heavy rain in your area and flooding begins, stay away from creeks, drains, ditches ravines and culverts, and climb to higher ground. Don't walk or drive in flood waters, and follow emergency response orders, officials said.

Don’t miss the latest news updates in Denver, Boulder, Arvada, Lakewood and Littleton. Sign up for free Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.

Here's a breakdown of the National Weather Service Boulder office alerts:

• A flood watch is issued on days when flooding is more likely on a river or large creek. A flood watch means flooding in the area is more likely than on a normal day, but that flooding is not currently expected.
• A flood warning is issued when flooding is forecast or occurring. A flood warning means flooding is expected or has been reported at designated river forecast points.
• Flood advisories are issued for minor flooding on rivers and creeks.
• Areal flood warnings are issued for flooding on parts of rivers or large creeks not covered by designated river forecast points.

The agency created the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service monitoring system to monitor potential flooding along rivers and large creeks in Colorado.

>> Read the full National Weather Service flash flood watch here.