The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for areas near the Aspen Acres burn scar in Colorado after 1 to 3 inches of rain fell across the region. Officials warn the heavy rain has triggered dangerous debris flows, creating a life-threatening situation.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Denver is running drier than normal.
- Drought continues to grip much of Colorado.
- Rain is returning to the Denver forecast.
DENVER – Amid a widespread drought gripping much of Colorado, Denver is running below average for August precipitation as a scorching summer marked by wildfires, extreme heat and persistent dry summer conditions continues.
August got off to a scorching and largely dry start in Denver, with temperatures reaching 102 degrees on consecutive days early in the month and little measurable rainfall through the first part of the month.
Randall Kemp mows his lawn on July 24, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Amid Colorado’s historic drought and record low snowpack, Denver residents have been restricted to watering lawns twice a week.
(Michael Ciaglo/For The Washington Post via Getty Images / Getty Images)
With rain making a welcome return to Denver, the city remains behind its normal precipitation pace for the month as of Aug. 20.
A cyclist takes Broadway in the afternoon storm in Denver, Colorado on Friday, August 14, 2026.
(Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post / Getty Images)
NOAA data shows Denver typically sees about 1.58 inches of precipitation in August.
So far this month, the city has picked up just 0.73 inches — running about 38% below its normal pace of 1.17 inches.
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Let’s take a look at how prediction markets are sizing up Denver’s rainfall chances to finish up the month of August.
Looking towards the end of the month, the National Weather Service is forecasting several chances for showers and thunderstorms in Denver over the coming days, including elevated rain chances heading into the middle of next week.
Cracked lakebed is exposed at the drained Antero Reservoir on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, near Hartsel, Colorado. Denver Water drained the reservoir because of drought conditions.
(RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Ultimately, Denver’s monthly precipitation total comes down to what falls into the official gauge at Denver International Airport, where each measurable hundredth of an inch is recorded and added to the city’s climate record.
