Below is the Precipitation Accumulation in South Platte graph from the NRCS for July 13, 2026. Precipitation is at 72% of the median (no change one week), and 59% of the water year median (up 1% one week), this morning. There are 79 days left in the water year.
There is a slight chance for thunderstorms today and Wednesday, a chance for thunderstorms Thursday, a chance for thunderstorms Friday, with a chance for showers/thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday in the central mountains. There is a slight chance for thunderstorms Thursday, a chance for thunderstorms Friday, with a chance for showers/thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday in the northern mountains. There is a slight chance for showers/thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday, down here, about 101 miles from Leadville, where Doc Holliday fought the last gun battle of his life. From Old Historical Pictures Facebook page:
By the summer of 1884, Doc Holliday had long since become one of the most recognizable—and feared—figures of the American West. His days as a dentist were far behind him, replaced by years of gambling, gunfights, and a constant battle against tuberculosis. The illness had steadily weakened his body, but it had done little to dull his instincts. On August 19, 1884, in the booming mining town of Leadville, Colorado, Holliday found himself involved in what would become the last gunfight of his turbulent life. The confrontation began over a surprisingly small matter: a five-dollar debt. Billy Allen, a local bartender who had also served as a policeman, repeatedly demanded payment from Holliday. Under ordinary circumstances, the disagreement might have ended with harsh words. But the mining camps of the Old West were anything but ordinary, and Allen’s demands soon escalated into public threats. According to witnesses, Allen openly declared that he intended to settle the dispute by force if necessary…Holliday entered Mannie Hyman’s Saloon and quietly took a position where he could watch the entrance. Beneath his coat he concealed a revolver, waiting for whatever might come…When Billy Allen finally walked through the doorway, his hand was inside his pocket. Holliday believed Allen was reaching for a weapon. Acting on that belief, he drew his revolver and fired before Allen could make another move. The first shot missed its target, but the second bullet struck Allen in the upper arm. The wound severed an artery, causing heavy bleeding and sending Allen crashing to the floor…Although Allen survived his injuries, Holliday’s freedom immediately came into question. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder, setting the stage for another courtroom battle in a life already filled with violence and controversy. The trial concluded in March 1885. Witnesses testified that Allen had repeatedly threatened Holliday’s life in the days leading up to the shooting. The jury accepted that Holliday had acted out of a genuine fear for his own safety, and he was acquitted. It was his final legal victory…By then, however, tuberculosis had gained the upper hand. Leadville’s high elevation only worsened his condition, forcing him to seek relief in the lower elevations of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hoping the famous sulfur hot springs might ease his suffering, Holliday spent his remaining months there as his strength steadily faded.
Here’s a look at the 7-Day Colorado precipitation map through July 12, 2026 from the High Plains Regional Climate Center. Precipitation in the South Platte Basin along the Continental Divide of the Americas ranged from 0.00” to 0.40”.
Here’s the 7-Day percent of normal precipitation map through July 5, 2026 from the High Plains Regional Climate Center. Precipitation in the South Platte River Basin along the Continental Divide of the Americas ranged from 0% to 70% of normal.
Below is the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast for July 13, 2026. Precipitation is anticipated for the mountains of the South Platte River Basin and may total up to 0.50″.
Below are the 8-14 day outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center, issued July 12, 2026, for temperature and precipitation, for the week starting July 20, 2026. The CPC expects above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation for the mountains of the South Platte River Basin.
Below is the Colorado Drought Monitor map from June 7, 2026. There was a one class degradations in Park, Jefferson, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Arapahoe, Larimer, and Weld counties, in the South Platte River Basin. There were one class improvements in Arapahoe, Elbert, Weld, Morgan, Logan, and Sedgwick counties. Drought and abnormal dryness covers 98.32% of Colorado. The South Platte Basin is experiencing Abnormally Dry, Moderate, Severe, Extreme, and Exceptional drought conditions.
Below is the Colorado Drought Monitor one week change map ending July 7, 2026.
Here’s the US Drought Monitor Map from last week along with the one week U.S. change map.
Finally, NOAA published their Assessing the U.S. Temperature and Precipitation Analysis in June 2026 on July 9, 2026. From the analysis:
Key Takeaways:
- Widespread June Warmth: The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) in June ranked in the warmest third of the 132-year record, with much of the West, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast observing above-average temperatures.
- Hot and Dry Year-to-Date: The West and Southwest climate regions experienced their warmest January–June period on record and received less than 70 percent of their average year-to-date precipitation.
- Midwest Severe Weather: According to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center, there were 374 preliminary tornado reports during June, with historic activity across the Midwest. Illinois (91 reports), Indiana (69 reports) and Missouri (32 reports) each set new June records.
- Drought Footprint: Drought coverage across the CONUS fell below 50% in June, though drought persisted across much of the interior West and developed in Puerto Rico.
- Hawai’i Precipitation: Following its wettest June since 1997, Hawai’i’s year-to-date precipitation reached a record 54.6 inches—more than two feet above normal.
