Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2008

Flash Flood Warning 3, NWS Pueblo, CO

August 5, 2008Costilla County, Huerfano County, Las Animas County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this flash flood warning at Aug 5, 2008, 1:58 PM MDT for Costilla County, Huerfano County, Las Animas County, Colorado. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 5, 2008, 1:58 PM MDT (19:58 UTC)
Expired
Aug 5, 2008, 5:00 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Costilla County, CO, Huerfano County, CO, Las Animas County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 133 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:58 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM (KABQ), launched 12:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 304 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM at 12:00Z on 2008-08-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 204 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM at 12:00Z on 2008-08-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 11 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
204 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-95 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1085 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
8 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
11 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
12 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WGUS55 KPUB 051958
FFWPUB
COC023-055-071-052300-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FF.W.0003.080805T1958Z-080805T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
158 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN COSTILLA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL COLORADO...
  WESTERN HUERFANO COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST COLORADO...
  SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST COLORADO...

* UNTIL 500 PM MDT...

* AT 153 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED   
  HEAVY RAIN WHICH IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING OVER THE   
  WARNED AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO RED WING...
  LA VETA PASS...LA VETA...GARDNER AND FARISITA.

DOPPLER RADAR ESTIMATES THAT RAIN TOTALS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN 
HAS FALLEN. RADAR INDICATES THE HEAVY RAIN IS CONTINUING TO EXPAND 
IN COVERAGE OVER THE WARNED AREA. THE HEAVIEST RAIN AT 157 PM WAS IN 
AN AREA FROM THE LA VETA PASS REGION SOUTH TO THE COLORADO AND NEW 
MEXICO BORDER. MOST OF THE HEAVIEST RAIN WAS ON THE EAST SLOPES OF 
THE SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS. 

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN OR CLOSE TO THE WARNED AREA GO TO HIGHER GROUND
IMMEDIATELY. PEOPLE ALONG CREEKS AND DRAINAGE AREAS SHOULD TAKE
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
CROSS SWIFTLY FLOWING WATER OR STILL WATER OF UNKNOWN DEPTH ON FOOT
OR BY VEHICLE. AS LITTLE AS 6 INCHES OF WATER MAY CAUSE YOU TO LOSE
CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE...AND 2 FEET OF RUSHING WATER CAN CARRY AWAY
MOST VEHICLES...INCLUDING SUVS AND PICKUPS. NEARLY HALF OF ALL FLOOD
FATALITIES ARE VEHICLE RELATED. BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN
IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF YOU DRIVE INTO
WATER THAT IS TOO DEEP...BACK UP. IF YOU ENCOUNTER A ROAD BARRIER IN
FRONT OF WATER ON THE ROAD...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

LAT...LON 3780 10537 3778 10486 3701 10453 3701 10515

$$
5 follow-up statements
000 
WGUS75 KPUB 052018
FFSPUB

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
218 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

COC023-055-071-052300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080805T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HUERFANO CO-LAS ANIMAS CO-COSTILLA CO-
218 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM MDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA...SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS AND WESTERN HUERFANO
COUNTIES...

AT 210 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A STORM PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING OVER THE WARNED AREA.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO RED WING...LA
VETA PASS...LA VETA...GARDNER AND FARISITA.

DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUES TO SHOW VERY HEAVY RAIN FALLING ON THE EAST 
SLOPES AND THE IMMEDIATE ADJACENT PLAINS OF THE SOUTHERN SANGRE DE 
CRISTO MOUNTAINS. AT 215 PM...THE HEAVIEST RAIN WAS FALLING FROM 
SEGUNDO TO CUCHARA. OTHER HEAVY RAIN WAS NOTED OVER AND JUST TO THE 
TOWN OF LA VETA. RADAR ESTIMATES OF 1.5 TO 2.5 INCHES HAVE BEEN 
INDICATED. THESE VALUES MAY BE LOW DUE TO MOUNTAINS BLOCKING THE 
RADAR BEAMS...ESPECIALLY SOUTH AND WEST OF THE SPANISH PEAKS. 

DO NOT DRIVE IN AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.

BE ALERT FOR DEBRIS ON THE ROAD...ESPECIALLY ALONG HIGHWAY 12 AND 
HIGHWAY 160. 

LAT...LON 3780 10537 3778 10486 3701 10453 3701 10515

$$


HODANISH
000 
WGUS75 KPUB 052047
FFSPUB

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
247 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

COC023-055-071-052300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080805T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HUERFANO CO-LAS ANIMAS CO-COSTILLA CO-
247 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM MDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA...SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS AND WESTERN HUERFANO
COUNTIES...

AT 240 PM MDT...THE HEAVIEST RAIN WAS FALLING JUST WEST OF 
WALSENBURG AND JUST EAST OF LA VETA. THIS HEAVY RAIN WAS MOVING 
NORTH AT 10 TO 15 MPH.

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS OF 2 INCHES OF RAIN HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE TOP 
OF LA VETA PASS. 

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO RED WING...LA
VETA PASS...LA VETA...GARDNER AND FARISITA.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.

DO NOT DRIVE WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. BE ALERT FOR DEBRIS ON 
THE HIGHWAY...ESPECIALLY HIGHWAYS 160 AND 12. 

BE ALERT FOR WASHED OUT DIRT ROADS ACROSS THE REGION. 

LAT...LON 3780 10537 3778 10486 3701 10453 3701 10515

$$

HODANISH
000 
WGUS75 KPUB 052057
FFSPUB

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
257 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

COC023-055-071-052300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080805T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HUERFANO CO-LAS ANIMAS CO-COSTILLA CO-
257 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM MDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA...SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS AND WESTERN HUERFANO
COUNTIES...

AT 253 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THE 
HEAVIEST RAIN WAS LOCATED NORTH OF THE SPANISH PEAKS AND EAST OF 
LA VETA PASS. MOST OF THE HEAVIEST RAIN WAS LOCATED JUST TO THE WEST 
OF THE TOWN OF WALSENBURG. THIS AREA OF RAIN COULD PRODUCE UP TO 1 
INCH OF RAIN WHILE IT MOVES ACROSS THE AREA WEST AND NORTHWEST OF 
WALSENBURG.

RAIN HAS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY SOUTH OF THE SPANISH PEAKS.  

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO LA
VETA...LA VETA PASS...RED WING...GARDNER AND FARISITA.

LAT...LON 3780 10537 3778 10486 3701 10453 3701 10515

$$

HODANISH
000 
WGUS75 KPUB 052125
FFSPUB

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
325 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

COC023-055-071-052300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080805T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HUERFANO CO-LAS ANIMAS CO-COSTILLA CO-
325 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM MDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA...SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS AND WESTERN HUERFANO
COUNTIES...

AT 322 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED ALL 
OF THE HEAVY RAIN HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED FLASH FLOOD AREA. 
HOWEVER...WATER IS STILL LIKELY RUNNING HIGH ACROSS THE REGION. 
PLEASE USE CAUTION IF YOU WILL BE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 12 OR HIGHWAY 
160 ACROSS HUERFANO AND LAS ANIMAS COUNTIES.

LAT...LON 3780 10537 3778 10486 3701 10453 3701 10515

$$

HODANISH
000 
WGUS75 KPUB 052300
FFSPUB

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
500 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

COC023-055-071-052310-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080805T2300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HUERFANO CO-LAS ANIMAS CO-COSTILLA CO-
500 PM MDT TUE AUG 5 2008

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA...
SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS AND WESTERN HUERFANO COUNTIES...

LAT...LON 3780 10537 3778 10486 3701 10453 3701 10515

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pueblo, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 5, 12:33 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPUBAlamosa, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas and 2 more3 hr
Aug 5, 1:17 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPUBTeller3 hr
Aug 5, 3:08 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBCuster, Huerfano, Pueblo26 min
Aug 5, 3:39 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPUBEl Paso, Fremont, Teller108 min
Aug 5, 4:56 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso39 min
Aug 5, 4:57 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBaca100 min
Aug 5, 5:11 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPUBEl Paso4 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2008Every flash flood warning in 2008

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.