Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020

Flash Flood Warning 34, NWS Pueblo, CO

July 21, 2020Costilla County, Huerfano County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this flash flood warning at Jul 21, 2020, 1:53 PM MDT for Costilla County, Huerfano County, Colorado. It was in force for 119 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 21, 2020, 1:53 PM MDT (19:53 UTC)
Expired
Jul 21, 2020, 3:52 PM MDT
In force
119 min
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), 133 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:53 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, 7.9 hours before the alert went out and 306 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 2020-07-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 10 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 2020-07-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 2 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
10 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-323 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2109 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
11 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
2 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
63 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

393 
WGUS55 KPUB 211953
FFWPUB
COC023-055-212245-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FF.W.0034.200721T1953Z-200721T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
153 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2020

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a

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

* Until 445 PM MDT.

* At 150 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Around 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 south of Highway 160 in Costilla county,
  northwestern Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Huerfano
  county and southern Spring Burn Scar north of Highway 160.

Excessive rainfall will result in debris flow moving through the 
drainages in the western portion of the Spring Burn Scar in Costilla 
County. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and 
other loose materials.

This includes the following areas, South Abeyta Creek near County
Road 443, South Abeyta Creek near County Road 442, and South Abeyta
Creek near County Road 441.
  
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 3754 10511 3749 10513 3750 10523 3757 10527
      3761 10520 3757 10511

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...0.50-1 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

ep
3 follow-up statements
727 
WGUS75 KPUB 212019
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
219 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2020

COC023-055-212245-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0034.000000T0000Z-200721T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Huerfano CO-Costilla CO-
219 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM MDT FOR
CENTRAL HUERFANO AND NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA COUNTIES...

At 216 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area. Around 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 may produce debris flows, especially over the 
western portion of the burn scar in Costilla County. The debris flow 
can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Costilla county,
northwestern Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Huerfano county
and southern Spring Burn Scar north of Highway 160.

This includes the following areas, South Abeyta Creek near County
Road 443, South Abeyta Creek near County Road 442, and South Abeyta
Creek near County Road 441.
  
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 3754 10511 3749 10513 3750 10523 3757 10527
      3761 10520 3757 10511

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...0.50-1 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

ep
163 
WGUS75 KPUB 212101
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
301 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2020

COC023-055-212245-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0034.000000T0000Z-200721T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Huerfano CO-Costilla CO-
301 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM MDT FOR
CENTRAL HUERFANO AND NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA COUNTIES...

At 300 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
mainly light rain across the warned area. Between one half inch and 
one 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 south of Highway 160 in Costilla county,
northwestern Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Huerfano county
and southern Spring Burn Scar north of Highway 160.

This includes the following areas, South Abeyta Creek near County
Road 443, South Abeyta Creek near County Road 442, and South Abeyta
Creek near County Road 441.
  
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 3754 10511 3749 10513 3750 10523 3757 10527
      3761 10520 3757 10511

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...0.30-0.50 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

ep
234 
WGUS75 KPUB 212152
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
352 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2020

COC023-055-212201-
/O.CAN.KPUB.FF.W.0034.000000T0000Z-200721T2245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Huerfano CO-Costilla CO-
352 PM MDT Tue Jul 21 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR CENTRAL HUERFANO AND NORTHEASTERN
COSTILLA COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed any remaining road closures.

LAT...LON 3754 10511 3749 10513 3750 10523 3757 10527
      3761 10520 3757 10511

$$

ep

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 20, 6:06 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUB24 min
Jul 20, 6:18 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBent, Prowers42 min
Jul 20, 6:21 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBaca, Las Animas39 min
Jul 20, 6:58 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBaca, Bent, Las Animas35 min
Jul 20, 7:02 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBProwers28 min
Jul 20, 7:32 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBProwers28 min
Jul 20, 8:15 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBaca, Prowers30 min
Jul 20, 8:29 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBaca31 min
Jul 21, 1:07 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCuster23 min
Jul 21, 2:20 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBLas Animas25 min
Jul 21, 2:24 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBTeller36 min
Jul 21, 2:30 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCuster45 min
Jul 21, 2:54 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso, Teller23 min
Jul 21, 3:09 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBLas Animas51 min
Jul 21, 3:12 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBLas Animas48 min
Jul 21, 3:33 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso27 min
Jul 21, 4:24 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso36 min
Jul 21, 4:36 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCuster24 min
Jul 21, 4:51 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso24 min
Jul 21, 5:06 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBHuerfano24 min
Jul 21, 5:17 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBPueblo13 min
Jul 21, 5:18 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCrowley27 min
Jul 21, 5:37 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningPUBPueblo113 min
Jul 21, 5:58 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBPueblo17 min

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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.