Flash Flood Warning 52, NWS Pueblo, CO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
307 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday)
Issued at 305 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

.Through Tonight...Severe storms have developed with widely
scattered supercells capable of producing large hail, destructive
winds, and a few tornadoes. The backing low level flow with
rapidly increasing mid level flow is now showing higher increases
in helicity. This is concerning as it will support the above
mentioned increased tornado risk, which includes all of the I-25
corridor.

By late afternoon, most of the storms are expected to move to the
eastern plains, though some guidance continues additional
development across parts of the Pikes Peak region and I-25
corridor during this time. Given the high amount of instability
and moisture, don't see any reason why the severe threat won't
continue in these areas later in the afternoon into the evening.
For the eastern plains, have changed previous thoughts on these
storms congealing into a line and transitioning the main risk to a
wind risk. Latest guidance now supports the continued development
of more discrete supercells capable of all hazards including the
risk of tornadoes. So, while destructive winds are still possible,
the expected trend will be for supercells to continue moving
across the eastern plains later this afternoon into the evening.
Once again, an increased tornado risk due to similar backing low
level flow and increasing flow aloft.

By mid to late evening, focus for additional thunderstorm
development looks to be over the far eastern plains where the low to
mid level trough looks to stall. This will then support an
increasing flash flood risk, where the current Flash Flood Watch is
in effect. Closer to the midnight time frame, development should
begin to really diminish, though a few storms capable of producing
heavy rain will remain possible over the eastern plains.
--RODRIGUEZ/PGW--

.Friday...More quiet day with best chances for stronger
convection confined to near the New Mexico border. Upslope flow
strengthened by outflow from convection to the east will bring
some lower clouds and onto the eastern plains and eastern
mountains in the morning. HREF shows mean CAPE values generally
below 750 J/kg over much of the plains with a cap in place. CAPE
values are higher along the southern I25 corridor and Sangre de
Cristo Mountains near the New Mexico border. SPC has a marginal
risk extending northward into extreme southern Colorado where the
CAPE values are high and cap is weaker. With northwest flow aloft,
any convection that develops would tend to move to the south or
southeast into New Mexico. Further north over the eastern
mountains, daytime heating of the elevated terrain will result in
some afternoon and early evening convection which will weaken as
it moves towards the southeast and off of the higher terrain. The
mid level moisture will make it into the eastern San Juans for an
increase chance for diurnal convection while further to the north
convection will have less coverage. --PGW--

.LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday)
Issued at 305 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

Key messages:

1) Best chances for convection Saturday near New Mexico border
over the mountains

2) Plume of modest monsoon moisture moving into the region next
week.

3) Warm to hot weather through the period.

.Saturday...Weak surface high pressure moves southward into
northeast New Mexico with low level moisture advecting westward
into northern New Mexico. Some of this moisture may move into
extreme south central Colorado for increased chances for afternoon
convection over the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains and
southern San Juan Mountains, especially close to the New Mexico
border. WPC Day 3 excessive rainfall outlook has the marginal
risk nosing into southern Colorado. Upper ridge starts to build to
the west of Colorado with dry air aloft over the region with
convection decreasing towards the north over the mountains. On the
plains, lower levels begin to dry with the atmosphere being
capped. Any convection that develops over the mountains will
weaken as it moves east with only silent PoPs on the plains.
Warming trend begins on the plains with temperatures returning to
near normal.

Sunday through Thursday...Upper ridge build to the west of the
region. Ensemble mean PWATs are 60 to 90 percent of normal on
Sunday. The ensemble means have PWATs modestly increasing to near
normal to above normal throughout the week. GFS has a tendency to
moisten the mid levels too much with the monsoon flow and ENS
looks more reasonable with PWAT near normal. WPC Day 4 and 5
excessive rain outlook has a marginal risk for portions of the
eastern San Juan mountains. Slow storm motion could lead to some
locally heavy downpours.  On the plains, do not see any
indications of any front passages to advect low level moisture
from the east until maybe late next week. Ensemble means are
fairly stingy with CAPE on the plains next week with ensembles
showing low probabilities of CAPE > 1000 J/kg on the plains. As a
result, the general weather pattern will be for warm to hot
weather with diurnal convection mostly confined to over and near
the mountains. Monday looks to be the hottest day on the plains
with HeatRisk suggesting heat advisories may be needed.  The
storms will tend to be higher based with the main threats being
lightning and gusty winds. QPF with the storms are expected to be
modest with the absence of any indication of a strong influx of
mid level monsoon moisture into the region. Slow storm motion over
the eastern San Juans could result in locally heavy downpours.
--PGW--

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Friday evening)
Issued at 305 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

KCOS and KPUB...Outflows may allow for convection to linger into
Thursday evening. With a moist airmass over the region and weak
upslope, lower cloud deck will likely develop tonight with VFR
ceilings expected. Lower clouds will dissipate by mid morning with
isolated to scattered afternoon convection.

KALS...VFR. There could be a period of easterly winds overnight
as easterly flow shoots through the gaps in the mountains to the
east. Diurnal convection will develop during the afternoon.
Coverage of convection will be greater than Thursday due to
increased moisture. --PGW--

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 2 AM MDT Friday for COZ089-093>099.

&&

SHORT TERM...RODRIGUEZ/PGW
LONG TERM...PGW
AVIATION...PGW

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1229 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

COZ058>089-093>099-211830-
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-
1229 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will develop over the mountains
by early afternoon, spreading eastward across the I-25 corridor
during the afternoon and evening hours. From I-25 eastward across
the plains, numerous severe storms are expected, with wind gusts
of 60 to 75 mph, hail from golfball to baseball size and an
increased risk of a few tornadoes under the strongest storms.
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are also possible, especially
across the southeast plains where heavy rainfall occurred last
night.

To the west of Interstate 25 over the mountains and interior
valleys, lightning and gusty winds of 50 to 60 mph will be the main
storm risks, and a few of the stronger storms may also produce some
small hail and brief heavy rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday,
mainly over the eastern mountains and along the I-25 corridor.
Some of these storms may contain hail greater than an inch in
diameter, and wind gusts of 60 mph or greater.

On Saturday, a few thunderstorms will develop during the
afternoon and evening over the higher terrain, and an isolated
thunderstorm or two could move over into the adjacent plains and
over the southern I-25 corridor. There will be a better chance
for afternoon and evening thunderstorms on Sunday over the higher
terrain, with a few storms possibly moving out into the plains.

Thunderstorm activity will begin to ramp back up again beginning
early next week and through the rest of the week over the inner
mountain west, with increasing chances of thunderstorms each day
over the Continental Divide as the monsoonal pattern becomes more
pronounced.

Thunderstorm chances over the plains for next week look to be
more favorable as the week progresses, as there will be increasing
thunderstorm coverage with better westerly flow aloft.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will
be likely over portions of the region.

RODRIGUEZ

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
450 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

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

0448 PM     Hail             2 NNE Olney Springs     38.19N 103.93W
07/20/2023  M1.00 inch       Crowley            CO   Trained Spotter

&&

mw

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
450 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

COZ085-202315-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below
7400 Ft CO-
450 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern El Paso
County through 515 PM MDT...

At 450 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Truckton, or 33 miles northeast of Pueblo Airport, moving southeast
at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of eastern El Paso
County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
east central Colorado.

&&

LAT...LON 3871 10405 3855 10405 3855 10406 3864 10420
      3873 10414
TIME...MOT...LOC 2250Z 297DEG 25KT 3866 10411

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Simcoe

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
501 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

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

0442 PM     Hail             2 E Fowler              38.13N 103.99W
07/20/2023  M1.75 inch       Otero              CO   Public

            Relayed via social media.

&&

mw

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
511 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

COZ093-210000-
La Junta Vicinity/Otero County CO-
511 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Otero County
through 600 PM MDT...

At 510 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles west of Timpas, or 22 miles west of La Junta, moving northeast
at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph, torrential rainfall, and nickel
         size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Timpas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
southeastern Colorado.

&&

LAT...LON 3774 10397 3789 10401 3807 10379 3784 10346
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 244DEG 20KT 3787 10393

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Ehr

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
619 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

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

0609 PM     Hail             5 N Ordway              38.30N 103.75W
07/20/2023  E1.00 inch       Crowley            CO   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&

mw

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
621 PM MDT Thu Jul 20 2023

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

0618 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NNE Las Animas        38.10N 103.21W
07/20/2023  E70 MPH          Bent               CO   Trained Spotter

&&

mw