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..,- ---:.......~ .~=~. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I data allows it to define the radar reflectivity for 0,5 by 0.5 square mile areas over the Buffalo Creek watershed, An example of the Table 1 relationship applied to observed radar reflectivity from the NWS WSR-88D Watkins radar is shown in Figure 5, The top map of the basin shows the observed radar reflectivity while the bottom map shows the associated rainfall. Each of these "maps" is really a Microsoft Excel 7.0 spreadsheet in a storm workbook, HMS has made copies of each spreadsheet on 1.44" disk which are included with the copy of the report for each of the organizations sponsoring this project. Additionally, HMS has included a hard copy of each data plot for each radar observation period of the four storm periods which occurred on the July 12, 1996 in Appendix B, Additionally, HMS has calculated the rainfall for storms which hit the Buffalo Creek basin on June 12, July 12, August 7, August 8, August 23 and September 14. The basic data and spreadsheets for these storms is included on 1.44" disk with the report to major sponsors. Please note that HMS did not have archived data for an early afternoon storm on June 12, 1996 which produced flooding in Buffalo Creek. The HMS storm calculations for this date are for storms which occurred later during the afternoon. HMS will include information on this early June 12, 1996 storm in the Phase 2 report of this project. The radar data required has been ordered from the National Climate Data Center and was not available in time to complete the analysis for inclusion in this report, The remainder of this report presents the results of applying the described technique to the storms identified earlier in this section. 3.0 The Buffalo Creek Flash Flood of July 12, 1996 The Buffalo Creek Flash Flood of July 12, 1996 occurred on one of the most weather active days of the summer of 1996. Two tornadoes, 11 damaging hail reports and numerous wind damage reports were logged by the NWS in Denver as shown in Figure 6, The Buffalo Creek Flash Flood reached the town of Buffalo Creek about 900PM or just after a round of severe weather had buffeted the Denver metro area with a tornado and numerous wind and hail damage reports. It is interesting to note from Figure 6 that the most active weather period of the day in the Denver metro area occurred from about 700PM until 900PM which provided a significant challenge to area meteorologists, We will not discuss the operational implications of the other severe weather events which preceded the flash flood, In effect, Mother nature was serving notice that July 12th would be a day of very severe weather. 9