Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020

Flash Flood Warning 2, NWS Pueblo, CO

May 29, 2020Costilla County, Huerfano County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this flash flood warning at May 29, 2020, 5:40 PM MDT for Costilla County, Huerfano County, Colorado. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report 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
May 29, 2020, 5:40 PM MDT (23:40 UTC)
Expired
May 29, 2020, 8:45 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

Counties Costilla County, CO, Huerfano County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 123 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:40 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
May 29, 6:25 PM MDTHEAVY RAIN 0.564 Ese La Veta Pass, COFELL IN A 45 MINUTE PERIOD.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 12:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 297 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, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 2020-05-29Temperature 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 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 2020-05-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 0 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1015 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
0 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
0 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

593 
WGUS55 KPUB 292340
FFWPUB
COC023-055-300245-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FF.W.0002.200529T2340Z-200530T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
540 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  West central Huerfano County in southeastern Colorado...
  Northeastern Costilla County in south central Colorado...

* Until 845 PM MDT.

* At 538 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain over Spring Burn Scar north of Highway 160. The 
  thunderstorm is moving east at 5 mph. Up to one half inch of rain 
  has already fallen.
  Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing 
           flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, 
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Spring Burn Scar north of Highway 160 and Farisita. 

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow 
moving through the South Oak, Yellowstone Creeks and North Abeyta 
Creek. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and 
other loose materials.

This includes the following areas, South Abeyta Creek near County
Road 442 and North Abeyta Creek near Highway 160.
  
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of
creeks, roads and normally dry arroyos is likely. The heavy rains
will likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep
terrain, especially in and around these areas.

&&

LAT...LON 3778 10497 3755 10499 3754 10507 3757 10516
      3757 10517 3762 10519 3760 10524 3772 10526

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...0.75 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

KT
4 follow-up statements
868 
WGUS75 KPUB 292347
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
547 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

COC023-055-300245-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200530T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Huerfano CO-Costilla CO-
547 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM MDT FOR
WEST CENTRAL HUERFANO AND NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA COUNTIES...

At 544 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain across the Spring burn scar. Up to one half inch of rain has 
already fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash 
         flooding.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, 
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow 
moving through the South Oak, Yellowstone and North and South Abeyta 
Creeks. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and 
other loose materials.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Spring Burn Scar north of Highway 160.

This includes the following areas, South Abeyta Creek near County
Road 442.
  
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of 
creeks, roads and normally dry arroyos is likely. The heavy rains 
may likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep 
terrain, especially in and around these areas.

&&

LAT...LON 3770 10499 3756 10500 3754 10507 3757 10516
      3757 10517 3762 10519 3760 10524 3770 10526

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1 INCH IN 1 HOUR

$$

KT
838 
WGUS75 KPUB 300025
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
625 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

COC023-055-300245-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200530T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Huerfano CO-Costilla CO-
625 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM MDT FOR
WEST CENTRAL HUERFANO AND NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA COUNTIES...

At 620 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain has moved off the 
northeast side of the Spring Burn Scar. Doppler radar estimated up 
to 0.7 inches of rain has fallen. Flash flooding is already 
occurring and will continue until the water recedes.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash 
         flooding.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, 
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow 
moving through the South Oak, Yellowstone, and North and South 
Abeyta Creeks. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation 
and other loose materials.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Spring Burn Scar north of Highway 160.

This includes the following areas, South Abeyta Creek near County
Road 442.
  
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.
Arroyos, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a
matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.

Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of
creeks, roads and normally dry arroyos is likely. The heavy rains
will likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep
terrain, especially in and around these areas.

&&

LAT...LON 3766 10499 3759 10500 3756 10502 3754 10507
      3757 10516 3757 10517 3762 10519 3760 10524
      3770 10526 3769 10499

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

KT
967 
WGUS75 KPUB 300134
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
734 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

COC023-300137-
/O.CAN.KPUB.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200530T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Costilla CO-
734 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to
heed any remaining road closures.

LAT...LON 3757 10517 3762 10519 3762 10520 3763 10521
      3762 10523 3770 10526 3769 10499 3766 10499
      3759 10504 3756 10505 3754 10507

$$

COC055-300245-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200530T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Huerfano CO-
734 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM MDT FOR
WEST CENTRAL HUERFANO COUNTY...

At 727 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain has ended across 
the Spring Burn scar. Radar estimated up to 0.70 inches of rain has 
fallen across the upper reaches of North Abeyta Creek on the Spring 
Burn Scar and the lower portions of South Abeyta Creek on the 
eastern edge of the burn scar. Up to 0.50 inches of rain has fallen 
on the South Oak and Yellowstone Creek drainages as well. Flash 
flooding will continue until the water has time to recede.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash 
         flooding.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, 
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow 
moving through the North Abeyta Creek, Yellowstone Creek and South 
Oak Creek. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and 
other loose materials.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Spring Burn Scar north of Highway 160.

Little to no additional rainfall is expected in the warned area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of 
creeks, roads and normally dry arroyos is likely. The heavy rains 
may trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep terrain, 
especially in and around these areas.

&&

LAT...LON 3757 10517 3762 10519 3762 10520 3763 10521
      3762 10523 3770 10526 3769 10499 3766 10499
      3759 10504 3756 10505 3754 10507

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

KT
593 
WGUS75 KPUB 300245
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
845 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

COC055-300254-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200530T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Huerfano CO-
845 PM MDT Fri May 29 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL HUERFANO COUNTY WILL
EXPIRE AT 845 PM MDT...

Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed any remaining road closures.

LAT...LON 3757 10517 3762 10519 3762 10520 3763 10521
      3762 10523 3770 10526 3769 10499 3766 10499
      3759 10504 3756 10505 3754 10507

$$

KT

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 28, 6:40 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBAlamosa35 min
May 29, 1:39 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBRio Grande36 min
May 29, 2:29 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso31 min
May 29, 4:36 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCuster24 min
May 29, 5:56 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPUBHuerfano3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2020Every flash flood warning in 2020

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.