Alert archive / Colorado / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 20, NWS Pueblo, CO

August 16, 2008Alamosa County, Rio Grande County, Saguache County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this tornado warning at Aug 16, 2008, 1:47 PM MDT for Alamosa County, Rio Grande County, Saguache County, Colorado. It was in force for 58 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Aug 16, 2008, 1:47 PM MDT (19:47 UTC)
Expired
Aug 16, 2008, 2:45 PM MDT
In force
58 min
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Alamosa County, CO, Rio Grande County, CO, Saguache County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 182 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:03 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 16, 2:20 PM MDTHAIL 1.75Center, CO
Aug 16, 2:39 PM MDTHAIL 11 Nnw Center, CO

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Grand Junction, CO (KGJT), launched 12:00Z, 7.8 hours before the alert went out and 263 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, Grand Junction, CO at 12:00Z on 2008-08-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Grand Junction, CO at 12:00Z on 2008-08-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -4 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1798 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-4 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
128 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 
WFUS55 KPUB 161947
TORPUB
COC003-105-109-162045-
/O.NEW.KPUB.TO.W.0020.080816T1947Z-080816T2045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
147 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTH CENTRAL SAGUACHE COUNTY IN CENTRAL COLORADO...
  NORTHWESTERN ALAMOSA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL COLORADO...
  NORTHEASTERN RIO GRANDE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL COLORADO...

* UNTIL 245 PM MDT...

* AT 142 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE STORM WHICH WAS RAPIDLY ROTATING AND CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A
  TORNADO NEAR LA GARITA...OR ABOUT 35 MILES NORTHWEST OF ALAMOSA...
  AND WAS MOVING TOWARD THE SOUTHEAST AT 19 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  LA GARITA.
  CENTER.
  HOOPER.
  MOSCA.

DAMAGING WINDS AND VERY LARGE HAIL ARE LIKELY IN THE WARNED AREA.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IN A HOUSE IS IN A BASEMENT...UNDER STURDY
FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...GO TO THE LOWEST FLOOR...IN
AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM...SUCH AS A CLOSET OR
BATHROOM. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER AND PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM
FLYING DEBRIS. ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS...OR IN A MOBILE HOME...OR IN A VEHICLE...GO TO A
NEARBY STURDY STRUCTURE AND GET IN A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR POSSIBLE AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF THERE IS NO STURDY
STRUCTURE AVAILABLE...AS A LAST RESORT...GO TO A CULVERT...DITCH...OR
OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 3772 10576 3750 10596 3781 10645 3796 10632
TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 304DEG 17KT 3784 10629

$$
5 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS55 KPUB 161957
SVSPUB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
157 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

COC003-105-109-162045-
/O.CON.KPUB.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-080816T2045Z/
ALAMOSA CO-SAGUACHE CO-RIO GRANDE CO-
157 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM MDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN RIO GRANDE...SOUTH CENTRAL SAGUACHE AND NORTHWESTERN
ALAMOSA COUNTIES...

AT 155 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH RAPID ROTATION CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS SEVERE STORM WAS CENTERED NEAR LA
GARITA...OR 30 MILES NORTHWEST OF ALAMOSA...AND WAS MOVING TOWARD THE
SOUTHEAST AT 22 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  LA GARITA.
  CENTER.
  MOSCA.
  HOOPER.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IN A HOUSE IS IN A BASEMENT...UNDER STURDY
FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...GO TO THE LOWEST FLOOR...IN
AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM...SUCH AS A CLOSET OR
BATHROOM. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER AND PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM
FLYING DEBRIS. ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS...OR IN A MOBILE HOME...OR IN A VEHICLE...GO TO A
NEARBY STURDY STRUCTURE AND GET IN A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR POSSIBLE AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF THERE IS NO STURDY
STRUCTURE AVAILABLE...AS A LAST RESORT...GO TO A CULVERT...DITCH...OR
OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 3779 10642 3794 10627 3772 10576 3750 10596
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 306DEG 19KT 3780 10622

$$
000 
WWUS55 KPUB 162013
SVSPUB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
213 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

COC003-105-109-162045-
/O.CON.KPUB.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-080816T2045Z/
ALAMOSA CO-SAGUACHE CO-RIO GRANDE CO-
213 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM MDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN RIO GRANDE...SOUTH CENTRAL SAGUACHE AND NORTHWESTERN
ALAMOSA COUNTIES...

AT 212 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH RAPID ROTATION CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS SEVERE STORM WAS CENTERED NEAR CENTER...OR
26 MILES NORTHWEST OF ALAMOSA...AND WAS MOVING TOWARD THE SOUTHEAST
AT 20 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CENTER.
  MOSCA.
  HOOPER.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IN A HOUSE IS IN A BASEMENT...UNDER STURDY
FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...GO TO THE LOWEST FLOOR...IN
AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM...SUCH AS A CLOSET OR
BATHROOM. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER AND PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM
FLYING DEBRIS. ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS...OR IN A MOBILE HOME...OR IN A VEHICLE...GO TO A
NEARBY STURDY STRUCTURE AND GET IN A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR POSSIBLE AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF THERE IS NO STURDY
STRUCTURE AVAILABLE...AS A LAST RESORT...GO TO A CULVERT...DITCH...OR
OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 3765 10621 3766 10621 3771 10631 3775 10635
      3776 10638 3788 10616 3772 10576 3750 10596
TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 306DEG 17KT 3777 10616

$$
000 
WWUS55 KPUB 162025
SVSPUB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
225 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

COC003-105-109-162045-
/O.CON.KPUB.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-080816T2045Z/
ALAMOSA CO-SAGUACHE CO-RIO GRANDE CO-
224 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM MDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN RIO GRANDE...SOUTH CENTRAL SAGUACHE AND NORTHWESTERN
ALAMOSA COUNTIES...

AT 220 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH RAPID ROTATION CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS SEVERE STORM WAS CENTERED NEAR CENTER...OR
25 MILES NORTHWEST OF ALAMOSA...AND WAS MOVING TOWARD THE EAST AT 16
MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CENTER.
  MOSCA.
  HOOPER.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IN A HOUSE IS IN A BASEMENT...UNDER STURDY
FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...GO TO THE LOWEST FLOOR...IN
AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM...SUCH AS A CLOSET OR
BATHROOM. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER AND PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM
FLYING DEBRIS. ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS...OR IN A MOBILE HOME...OR IN A VEHICLE...GO TO A
NEARBY STURDY STRUCTURE AND GET IN A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR POSSIBLE AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF THERE IS NO STURDY
STRUCTURE AVAILABLE...AS A LAST RESORT...GO TO A CULVERT...DITCH...OR
OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 3765 10621 3766 10621 3771 10631 3775 10635
      3776 10638 3788 10616 3772 10576 3750 10596
TIME...MOT...LOC 2024Z 291DEG 13KT 3776 10611

$$
000 
WWUS55 KPUB 162036
SVSPUB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
236 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

COC003-105-109-162045-
/O.CON.KPUB.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-080816T2045Z/
ALAMOSA CO-SAGUACHE CO-RIO GRANDE CO-
236 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM MDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN RIO GRANDE...SOUTH CENTRAL SAGUACHE AND NORTHWESTERN
ALAMOSA COUNTIES...

AT 233 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH RAPID ROTATION CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS SEVERE STORM WAS CENTERED NEAR CENTER...OR
22 MILES NORTHWEST OF ALAMOSA...AND WAS MOVING TOWARD THE SOUTHEAST
AT 18 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CENTER.
  MOSCA.
  HOOPER.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IN A HOUSE IS IN A BASEMENT...UNDER STURDY
FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...GO TO THE LOWEST FLOOR...IN
AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM...SUCH AS A CLOSET OR
BATHROOM. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER AND PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM
FLYING DEBRIS. ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS...OR IN A MOBILE HOME...OR IN A VEHICLE...GO TO A
NEARBY STURDY STRUCTURE AND GET IN A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR POSSIBLE AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF THERE IS NO STURDY
STRUCTURE AVAILABLE...AS A LAST RESORT...GO TO A CULVERT...DITCH...OR
OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 3765 10621 3766 10621 3769 10626 3771 10632
      3772 10632 3785 10607 3783 10603 3772 10577
      3750 10596
TIME...MOT...LOC 2036Z 294DEG 15KT 3774 10605

$$
000 
WWUS55 KPUB 162038
SVSPUB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
238 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

COC003-105-109-162048-
/O.EXP.KPUB.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-080816T2045Z/
ALAMOSA CO-SAGUACHE CO-RIO GRANDE CO-
238 PM MDT SAT AUG 16 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN RIO GRANDE...SOUTH CENTRAL
SAGUACHE AND NORTHWESTERN ALAMOSA COUNTIES EXPIRES AT 245 PM MDT...

LAT...LON 3765 10621 3766 10621 3769 10626 3771 10632
      3772 10632 3785 10607 3783 10603 3772 10577
      3750 10596
TIME...MOT...LOC 2038Z 294DEG 15KT 3774 10604

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 15, 9:56 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPUBBent, Otero109 min
Aug 16, 3:25 AM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBFremont65 min
Aug 16, 7:14 AM MDTRiver Flood WarningPUBOtero18 hr
Aug 16, 7:14 AM MDTRiver Flood WarningPUBBent6 hr
Aug 16, 1:23 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBRio Grande, Saguache67 min
Aug 16, 2:45 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBAlamosa, Rio Grande, Saguache60 min
Aug 16, 3:26 PM MDTTornado WarningPUBAlamosa, Costilla, Huerfano, Saguache33 min
Aug 16, 3:42 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBCostilla, Huerfano, Las Animas63 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Colorado, 2008Every tornado warning in 2008Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.