Colorado Flooding: Did Climate Change Play A Role In Recent Disaster ?

It will take climate scientists many months to complete studies into whether manmade global warming made the Boulder flood more likely to occur, but the amount by which this event has exceeded past events suggests that manmade warming may have played some role by making the event worse than it would have otherwise been.

Considering that this flood event occurred in the backyard of some of the world's top climate researchers, it is likely that this event will be closely researched. Boulder is home to several major weather and climate research institutions, including the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the Earth System Research Laboratory, both of which were forced to close due to flooding.

Extreme rainfall events have become more frequent across the U.S. during the past several decades in part due to manmade global warming. Increasing air and ocean temperatures mean that the air is generally carrying more water vapor than it used to, and this moisture can be tapped by storm systems to yield rain or snow extremes. Trends in extreme precipitation events vary by region, though, and in general the biggest increases have taken place in the Midwest and Northeast. However, most parts of the U.S. have seen an increase in extreme precipitation events, according to the draft National Climate Assessment report that was released this past January. The report goes on to note that in the future, "increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events are projected for most U.S. areas."

                                          Will Pitner
Will Pitner is rescued by emergency workers, and neighbor Jeff Writer, left, after a night trapped sheltering outside on high ground above his home as it filled with water from a surge of water, after days of record rain and flooding, at the base of Boulder Canyon, Colo., Friday Sept. 13, 2013 in Boulder. Flash flooding in Colorado has left at least three people reportedly dead and the widespread high waters have hampered emergency workers' access to affected communities as heavy rains hammered northern .

Flood water shoots out of a sewer on Canon Avenue next to the Cliff House in Manitou Springs, Colo. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013 as storms continue to dump rain over the Waldo Canyon burn scar.

Brian Flynn

Brian Flynn, of Oregon, clears a drain in front of his sister's home in Boulder, Colo., on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013. Flash flooding in Colorado has cut off access to towns, closed the University of Colorado in Boulder and left at least three people dead.

                                     Colorado Flooding
A couple plays in flood water at Utah Park in Aurora, Colo., on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013. The park was under water due to flooding. Flash flooding in Colorado has cut off access to towns, closed the University of Colorado in Boulder and left at least three people dead.

Boulder Creek roils at high speed after days of record rain and flooding, at the base of Boulder Canyon, Friday Sept. 13, 2013 in Boulder, Colo. People in Boulder were ordered to evacuate as water rose to dangerous levels amid a storm system that has been dropping rain for a week. Rescuers struggled to reach dozens of people cut off by flooding in mountain communities, while residents in the Denver area and other areas were warned to stay off flooded streets.

Water pours off the roof of a house after days of record rain and flooding, at the base of Boulder Canyon, Friday Sept. 13, 2013 in Boulder, Colo. People in Boulder were ordered to evacuate as water rose to dangerous levels amid a storm system that has been dropping rain for a week. Rescuers struggled to reach dozens of people cut off by flooding in mountain communities, while residents in the Denver area and other areas were warned to stay off flooded streets.

                                         Denver skyline
A wall of a clouds enshrouds the high-rise buildings of downtown Denver early Friday, Sept. 13, 2013., as heavy rains continue to pummel cities along Colorado's Front Range. Heavy, stationary rainstorms have wreaked havoc on cities and communities along the Front Range and into the foothills since Wednesday with more rain forecasted for the weekend ahead.

Mountain View Fire Rescue department firefighters Jamie Wood and Steve Knoll walk through a food of water after doing a welfare check of a flooded property in rural Erie, Colo. on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013. Overnight rains along Colorado's eastern foothills caused flooding in several communities and two fatalities.

This image provided by Jason Stillman, shows flooding in Lyons Colo., Thursday Sept. 12, 2013. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said the town of Lyons was completely cut off because of flooded roads. Flash flooding in Colorado has cut off access to towns, closed the University of Colorado in Boulder and left at least three people dead.

                                      Colorado Flooding
Residence of an apartment house work to divert flood water from their building in Boulder, Colo., on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013. Flash flooding in Colorado has cut off access to towns, closed the University of Colorado in Boulder and left at least three people dead.

                                         Colorado Flooding
Residence of an apartment house work to divert flood water from their building in Boulder, Colo., on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013. Flash flooding in Colorado has cut off access to towns, closed the University of Colorado in Boulder and left at least three people dead.

A business is flooded by the overflowing St. Vrain River one mile east of Lyons, Colo., following overnight flash flooding, Thursday, Sept 12, 2013. Flash flooding in Colorado has left widespread high waters that are keeping search and rescue teams from reaching stranded residents in Lyons and nearby mountain communities as heavy rains hammered northern Colorado.

The overflowing St. Vrain River swamps parked semi trucks following overnight flash flooding, one mile east of Lyons, Colo., Thursday, Sept 12, 2013. The widespread high waters are keeping search and rescue teams from reaching stranded residents in Lyons and nearby mountain communities as heavy rains hammered northern Colorado.

A business is flooded by the overflowing St. Vrain River one mile east of Lyons, Colo., following overnight flash flooding, Thursday, Sept 12, 2013. Widespread high waters are keeping search and rescue teams from reaching stranded residents in Lyons and nearby mountain communities as heavy rains hammered northern Colorado.

A local resident looks out at a road washed out by a torrent of water following overnight flash flooding near Left Hand Canyon, south of Lyons, Colo., Thursday, Sept 12, 2013. The widespread high waters are keeping search and rescue teams from reaching stranded residents in Lyons and nearby mountain communities as heavy rains hammered northern Colorado.

Local residents look over a road washed out by a torrent of water following overnight flash flooding near Left Hand Canyon, south of Lyons, Colo., Thursday, Sept 12, 2013. The widespread high waters are keeping search and rescue teams from reaching stranded residents in Lyons and nearby mountain communities as heavy rains hammered northern Colorado.