Special Weather Statement, NWS Pueblo, CO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
333 PM MDT Wed May 30 2018

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday)
Issued at 301 PM MDT Wed May 30 2018

Currently/tonight...Scattered tsra firing near the Palmer Divide and
Raton Ridge as of 20z, with some isolated weak convection further
west near the Central Mountains. Air mass along and east of the
mountains is fairly unstable, with CAPES of 1-2k J/KG across much of
the region, though pocket of slightly drier air over the far sern
plains was keeping values around 500 J/KG across Baca/Prowers
counties. For the remainder of the afternoon into the evening,
expect storms to move eastward from the mountains across the plains,
with one or two severe storms possible given modest
shear/instability. While strongest low level shear will be along the
NM border, storms currently around KTAD may encounter slightly more
stable air mass as they push east across Las Animas county, so
confidence in supercell potential this area has decreased from
earlier today. Still appears convection shifts east in KS this
evening, with storms mostly done in CO 04z-06z. Drier air and
subsidence then spread across the area by early Thu morning, with
clearing skies and seasonable min temps across the region.

Thursday...Subsidence behind departing wave and deepening southwest
flow will lead to dry/hot conditions across the area, with minimal
chances for afternoon convection. Strongest winds through Thu
afternoon will stay mainly west of the area as Pacific NW trough
deepens, though deep mixing over the mountains and interior valleys
will lead to some 25-30 kt gusts from mid afternoon into early
evening. While winds will be borderline for critical fire weather,
very low RH and dry fuels suggest Red Flag Warning is warranted for
areas from the Sangres westward, and will convert current watch to
a warning with new forecast. Winds may pick up too late for 3 hrs of
critical fire weather conditions across the nrn I-25 corridor around
Pueblo and Colorado Springs, so will hold off on any highlights
here. Max temps will climb with deep mixing and warming mid-levels,
with 80s/90s widespread at lower elevations.

.LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Wednesday)
Issued at 301 PM MDT Wed May 30 2018

Models continue to be in decent agreement through the extended
period with just modest ensemble spreads leading to slightly
higher forecast confidence.

Thursday night through Saturday...critical fire weather
conditions will subside Thursday evening has winds decrease across
the area and humidity values will begin poor overnight
recoveries. Expect dry conditions to prevail overnight with warm
overnight lows in the mid 50s.

Southwest flow will increase on Friday leading to dangerous to
extreme fire weather conditions across the whole area. Expect
winds to gust to near 45 mph across much of the region while
humidity values fall near 5 percent by late morning, and
persisting into the mid evening hours. Areas along and west of
I-25 will see the most critical conditions. Areas east of I-25,
fuels have greened up at this time, and land management has deemed
fuels non-critical at this time. That being said, any outdoor
burning is highly discouraged on Friday across the whole area. Dry
air across the region will keep any shower or thunderstorm
development from occuring through Friday night. A cold front is
forecast to drop south across the Eastern Plains Friday night into
Saturday morning as an upper level disturbances passes across the
area. This will bring a northwesterly wind shift late Friday night
into Saturday morning.

Saturday will be cooler, after seeing highs in the mid to upper
90s on Friday, lower elevations will see highs on only in the mid
80s for Saturday. Moisture out of the Desert Southwest will also
be on the increase by Saturday evening, with isolated showers and
thunderstorms possible over the mountains Saturday night.

Sunday into Monday...an upper level disturbance over Arizona will
lift northeast across Colorado on Sunday, before lifting away from
the area on Monday. This upper level disturbance will bring better
chances for showers and thunderstorms to the area, especially on
Sunday. Initial development looks over the mountains, which will
spread east across the Plains through the afternoon and overnight
hours. Lightning and small hail looks to be the primary threats at
this time. Temperatures will remain cool with generally 80s across
the region.

Tuesday and Wednesday...high pressure is forecast to build over
Texas through midweek with broad southwesterly flow aloft across
Colorado. Showers and thunderstorms will be highly dependent upon
energy embedded in the flow. Temperatures will also warm through
midweek with 90s across the Plains for highs.  Mozley

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening)
Issued at 301 PM MDT Wed May 30 2018

Expect VFR conditions late this afternoon and evening, with isolated
to scattered thunderstorms moving eastward across the plains. Will
continue to carry VCTS at KCOS and KPUB until 01z-02z with erratic
gusty winds, brief VFR Cigs/MVFR Vis and localized heavy
rainfall/small hail the primary threats. Best potential will be at
KCOS. Still appears storms will stay north and east of KALS and
won't include a TS in the TAF for now. Thunderstorms should move
east of the terminals by 01-02z with activity decreasing through
late evening. VFR conditions overnight and through the day on Thu,
as redevelopment of stratus for KCOS and KPUB tonight looks unlikely
as winds aloft become more westerly. Chances for tsra on Thu will be
very low, with only an isolated weak storm possible along the
Continental Divide late in the afternoon.

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Thursday for COZ220-
223>225-230.

Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening
for COZ220>230.

&&

SHORT TERM...PETERSEN
LONG TERM...MOZLEY
AVIATION...PETERSEN

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1139 AM MDT Wed May 30 2018

COZ058>089-093>099-311745-
Western Mosquito Range/East Lake County Above 11000 Feet-
Leadville Vicinity/Lake County Below 11000 Feet-
Eastern Sawatch Mountains Above 11000 Feet-
Western Chaffee County Between 9000 and 11000 Feet-
Central Chaffee County Below 9000 Feet-
Western Mosquito Range/East Chaffee County Above 9000 Feet-
Saguache County West of Continental Divide Below 10000 Feet-
Saguache County East of Continental Divide Below 10000 Feet-
La Garita Mountains Above 10000 Feet-
Upper Rio Grande Valley/Eastern San Juan Mountains Below
10000 Feet-Eastern San Juan Mountains Above 10000 Feet-
Del Norte Vicinity/Northern San Luis Valley Below 8500 Feet-
Alamosa  Vicinity/Central San Luis Valley Below 8500 Feet-
Southern San Luis Valley-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 8500 And 11000 Feet-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Feet-
Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Feet-
Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Feet-
Northwestern Fremont County Above 8500 Feet-
Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Feet-
Wet Mountain Valley Below 8500 Feet-
Wet Mountains between 6300 and 10000 Feet-
Wet Mountains Above 10000 Feet-
Teller County/Rampart Range Above 7500 Feet/Pikes Peak Between
7500 And 11000 Feet-Pikes Peak Above 11000 Feet-
Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County-
Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below
7500 Feet-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range
Below 7400 Feet-Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet-
Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Feet-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Feet-
Crowley County-La Junta Vicinity/Otero County-
Eastern Las Animas County-Western Kiowa County-
Eastern Kiowa County-Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County-
Lamar Vicinity/Prowers County-Springfield Vicinity/Baca County-
1139 AM MDT Wed May 30 2018

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east
central...south central and southeast Colorado.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

One or two strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible across
the I-25 corridor and southeast plains today, with the primary storm
risks being hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter, wind gusts over 60
mph, dangerous lightning, and locally heavy rain. Locations at
greatest risk for severe weather today will be across Las Animas
and Baca counties where an isolated tornado will also be possible.

The mountains and valleys will also see the potential for isolated
to scattered thunderstorms this afternoon with the primary risks
being gusty winds up to 50 mph, brief moderate to heavy rainfall,
and lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

High fire danger is expected over the mountains and interior
valleys on Thursday, then over much of the region on Friday as
hot, dry and windy conditions develop.

Isolated to scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms are
anticipated Saturday and Sunday with the primary threats being
wind gusts around 45 mph, hail up to 1/2 inch in diameter and
lightning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION...

Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be
possible this afternoon and evening across the southeast
Colorado plains.

10/77

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
407 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

COZ083-086-302245-
Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO-
Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County CO-
407 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL FREMONT AND
NORTHWESTERN PUEBLO COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM MDT...

At 407 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Penrose, or 18 miles northwest of Pueblo, moving southeast at 15 mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Pueblo West, Pueblo Reservoir and Penrose.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3833 10504 3850 10495 3842 10464 3822 10473
TIME...MOT...LOC 2207Z 292DEG 12KT 3839 10492

ep

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
413 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

COZ081-084-085-302300-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below
7400 Ft CO-
Teller County/Rampart Range above 7500fT/Pike's Peak Between 7500 And
11000 Ft CO-
Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below 7500 Ft
CO-
413 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN EL PASO COUNTY UNTIL
500 PM MDT...

At 413 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Gleneagle, or 12 miles north of Colorado Springs, moving east at 15
mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Northern Colorado Springs, Monument, Air Force Academy, Black Forest
and Gleneagle.

LAT...LON 3899 10450 3895 10478 3896 10494 3908 10496
      3913 10482 3913 10451
TIME...MOT...LOC 2213Z 278DEG 12KT 3902 10483

Skelly

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
421 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0421 PM     HAIL             4 ENE AIR FORCE ACADEMY 39.03N 104.80W
05/30/2018  M0.75 INCH       EL PASO            CO   PUBLIC

&&

RMG

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
425 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

COZ083-086-302315-
Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO-
Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County CO-
425 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN FREMONT AND NORTHWESTERN
PUEBLO COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM MDT...

At 424 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Pueblo West, or 15 miles northwest of Pueblo, moving
east at 15 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Pueblo West, Pueblo Reservoir and Penrose.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If on or near Pueblo Reservoir, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3831 10498 3848 10490 3842 10458 3817 10470
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 284DEG 13KT 3838 10486

ep

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
442 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0440 PM     HAIL             1 ESE PUEBLO WEST       38.31N 104.74W
05/30/2018  M0.88 INCH       PUEBLO             CO   NWS EMPLOYEE

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
444 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

COZ086-302330-
Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO-
444 PM MDT WED MAY 30 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN PUEBLO COUNTY UNTIL
530 PM MDT...

At 444 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Pueblo West, or 7 miles northwest of Pueblo, moving southeast at 20
mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Northwestern Pueblo, Pueblo West and Pueblo Reservoir.

LAT...LON 3827 10486 3848 10471 3842 10452 3825 10462
TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 293DEG 21KT 3836 10470

ep