Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 62, NWS Pueblo, CO

July 21, 2021Costilla County, Huerfano County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this flash flood warning at Jul 21, 2021, 7:00 PM MDT for Costilla County, Huerfano 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: Jul 21, 2021, 7:00 PM MDT (01:00 UTC)
Expired: Jul 21, 2021, 10:00 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), 135 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:59 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 00:00Z, 1.0 hours before the alert went out and 303 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 382 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -40 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 2554 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 9 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -60 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: -19 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

012 
WGUS55 KPUB 220100
FFWPUB
COC023-055-220400-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FF.W.0062.210722T0100Z-210722T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
700 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  The Spring Burn Scar in...
  Northeastern Costilla County in south central Colorado...
  South Central Huerfano County in southeastern Colorado...

* Until 1000 PM MDT.

* At 700 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain over the Spring Burn Scar. Up to 0.5 inches of rain 
  have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 0.5 to 1.5 inches in 1 
  hour. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in 
  the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
  shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar may result in debris flow 
moving through the North Abeyta, Middle Creek and Wagon Creek 
drainages. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and 
other loose materials.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding in and around the Spring Burn
           Scar.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around
           the Spring Burn Scar.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Huerfano county, Spring 
  Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Costilla county, Indian Creek on 
  the southeastern Spring Burn Scar and Spring Burn Scar north of 
  Highway 160.

This includes the following high risk locations...
Sulphur Springs on Indian Creek, County Road 421 near Indian Creek, 
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...

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause 
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks...streams...and 
ditches in the Spring Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be 
anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in 
places. If you encounter flood waters...climb to safety.

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 3743 10517 3743 10522 3745 10526 3747 10526
      3749 10530 3752 10529 3753 10525 3756 10523
      3758 10523 3760 10523 3761 10516 3764 10514
      3763 10509 3761 10507 3757 10505 3754 10509
      3751 10508 3749 10505 3741 10512

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...0.5-1.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

KT

3 follow-up statements

083 
WGUS75 KPUB 220145
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
745 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

COC023-055-220400-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0062.000000T0000Z-210722T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Costilla CO-Huerfano CO-
745 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE SPRING BURN SCAR REMAINS IN EFFECT 
UNTIL 10 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA AND SOUTH 
CENTRAL HUERFANO COUNTIES...

At 745 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain over the Spring Burn Scar. Up to 1.5 inches of rain have 
fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 0.5 to 1.5 inches in 1 hour. 
Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in the warned 
area, primarily over the Indian and Price Creek drainages. Flash 
flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar may result in debris flow 
moving through the Middle Creek and Indian Creek drainages. The 
debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose 
materials.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding in and around the Spring Burn Scar.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around
         the Spring Burn Scar.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Huerfano county, Spring 
  Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Costilla county, Indian Creek on 
  the southeastern Spring Burn Scar and Spring Burn Scar north of 
  Highway 160.

This includes the following high risk locations...
Sulphur Springs on Indian Creek, County Road 421 near Indian Creek, 
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...

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause 
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks...streams...and 
ditches in the Spring Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be 
anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in 
places. If you encounter flood waters...climb to safety.

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 3743 10517 3743 10522 3745 10526 3747 10526
      3749 10530 3752 10529 3753 10525 3756 10523
      3758 10523 3760 10523 3761 10516 3764 10514
      3763 10509 3761 10507 3757 10505 3754 10509
      3751 10508 3749 10505 3741 10512

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...0.5-1.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

KT

510 
WGUS75 KPUB 220314
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
914 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

COC023-055-220400-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0062.000000T0000Z-210722T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Costilla CO-Huerfano CO-
914 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE SPRING BURN SCAR REMAINS IN EFFECT 
UNTIL 10 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA AND SOUTH 
CENTRAL HUERFANO COUNTIES...

At 914 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain have ended over the Spring Burn Scar. Up to 1.5 inches of rain 
have fallen. Flash flooding is expected to continue until the water 
has a chance to recede.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar may result in debris flow 
moving through the Middle Creek and Indian Creek drainages. The 
debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose 
materials.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding in and around the Spring Burn Scar.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around
         the Spring Burn Scar.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Huerfano county, Spring 
  Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Costilla county, Indian Creek on 
  the southeastern Spring Burn Scar and Spring Burn Scar north of 
  Highway 160.

This includes the following high risk locations...
Sulphur Springs on Indian Creek, County Road 421 near Indian Creek, 
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...

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause 
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks...streams...and 
ditches in the Spring Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be 
anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in 
places. If you encounter flood waters...climb to safety.

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 3743 10517 3743 10522 3745 10526 3747 10526
      3749 10530 3752 10529 3753 10525 3756 10523
      3758 10523 3760 10523 3761 10516 3764 10514
      3763 10509 3761 10507 3757 10505 3754 10509
      3751 10508 3749 10505 3741 10512

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

$$

KT

490 
WGUS75 KPUB 220358
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
958 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

COC023-055-220408-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FF.W.0062.000000T0000Z-210722T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Costilla CO-Huerfano CO-
958 PM MDT Wed Jul 21 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE SPRING BURN SCAR WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM 
MDT THIS EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN COSTILLA AND SOUTH CENTRAL 
HUERFANO COUNTIES...

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

LAT...LON 3743 10517 3743 10522 3745 10526 3747 10526
      3749 10530 3752 10529 3753 10525 3756 10523
      3758 10523 3760 10523 3761 10516 3764 10514
      3763 10509 3761 10507 3757 10505 3754 10509
      3751 10508 3749 10505 3741 10512

$$

KT

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 21, 6:19 PM MDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	PUB	Costilla, Huerfano	3 hr
Jul 21, 6:51 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Conejos	39 min
Jul 21, 6:59 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Costilla	46 min
Jul 22, 2:42 AM MDT	Flood Watch	PUB	Chaffee, Conejos, Lake, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache	6 min
Jul 22, 2:54 AM MDT	Flash Flood Watch	PUB	Chaffee, Conejos, Lake, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache	18 hr
Jul 22, 1:43 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Rio Grande	62 min
Jul 22, 2:59 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Saguache	46 min
Jul 22, 3:30 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Mineral	60 min
Jul 22, 3:46 PM MDT	Flash Flood Warning	PUB	Costilla	3 hr
Jul 22, 3:51 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Saguache	54 min
Jul 22, 3:55 PM MDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PUB	Saguache	35 min
Jul 22, 4:11 PM MDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PUB	Saguache	19 min
Jul 22, 4:29 PM MDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	PUB	Fremont, Saguache	3 hr
Jul 22, 4:44 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Custer	46 min
Jul 22, 4:58 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Saguache	32 min
Jul 22, 5:06 PM MDT	Flash Flood Warning	PUB	Las Animas	3 hr
Jul 22, 5:21 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Alamosa	39 min
Jul 22, 5:41 PM MDT	Flash Flood Warning	PUB	Saguache	3 hr
Jul 22, 5:59 PM MDT	Special Weather Statement	PUB	Alamosa	46 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2021 Every flash flood warning in 2021

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.