Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 69, NWS Pueblo, CO

August 19, 2026Custer County, Pueblo County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this flash flood warning at Aug 19, 2026, 6:42 PM MDT for Custer County, Pueblo County, Colorado. It was in force for 93 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
Aug 19, 2026, 6:42 PM MDT (00:42 UTC)
Expired
Aug 19, 2026, 8:15 PM MDT
In force
93 min
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

Counties Custer County, CO, Pueblo County, CO

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Grand Junction, CO (KGJT), launched 00:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 323 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, Grand Junction, CO at 00:00Z on 2026-08-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 829 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Grand Junction, CO at 00:00Z on 2026-08-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -12 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
829 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-2 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3553 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
7 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-12 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-5 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

918 
WGUS55 KPUB 200042 RRA
FFWPUB
COC027-101-200345-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FF.W.0069.260820T0042Z-260820T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
642 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  The Northern Aspen Acres Burn Scar in...
  Eastern Custer County in southeastern Colorado...
  West Central Pueblo County in southeastern Colorado...

* Until 945 PM MDT.

* At 642 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain over the Northern Aspen Acres Burn Scar. The expected
  rainfall rate is 0.5 to 0.75 inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is
  ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Excessive rainfall over the
  burn scar will result in debris flow moving through the Red Creek,
  Peck Creek and Rock 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 Northern Aspen Acres Burn
           Scar.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the
           Northern Aspen Acres Burn Scar.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Stream crossings and county roads within and immediately downstream
  of the burn scar.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This is a life-threatening situation for in and around the northern
Aspen Acres Burn Scar. Move away and to higher ground immediately.

&&

LAT...LON 3814 10507 3816 10509 3820 10510 3823 10505
      3820 10499 3818 10490 3815 10493 3813 10491
      3810 10492 3811 10498 3813 10498 3814 10503

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...0.5-0.75 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$
1 follow-up statement
335 
WGUS75 KPUB 200215
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
815 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

COC027-101-200225-
/O.CAN.KPUB.FF.W.0069.000000T0000Z-260820T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Custer CO-Pueblo CO-
815 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE NORTHERN ASPEN ACRES BURN SCAR IS
CANCELLED FOR EASTERN CUSTER AND WEST CENTRAL PUEBLO COUNTIES...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3814 10507 3816 10509 3820 10510 3823 10505
      3820 10499 3818 10490 3815 10493 3813 10491
      3810 10492 3811 10498 3813 10498 3814 10503

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Pueblo, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 19, 5:20 PM MDT, 1 hour 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Burn scar flash flooding and marginally severe storms possible this evening.
  • Daily afternoon showers and storms will continue into early next week, along with slowly warming temperatures.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 19, 5:20 PM MDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
520 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Burn scar flash flooding and marginally severe storms possible
this evening.

- Daily afternoon showers and storms will continue into early
  next week, along with slowly warming temperatures.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1246 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

Currently...

A few showers have already formed over the higher terrain as of 1pm.
Latest mesoanalysis shows 2000+ J/kg of surface-based CAPE along and
east of the mountains, though there is a bit of a cap in place that
may keep things from intensifying for a few more hours. Meanwhile,
30-40 knots of effective bulk shear is in place, though with the
best conditions just slightly north of our area.

Rest of Today and Tonight...

Storms will continue forming over and near the mountains this
afternoon, before spreading southeast and intensifying into tonight.
Main concern will initially be flash flooding, particularly over the
Aspen Acres burn scar, due to heavy rain. As storms move east, they
will enter more unstable air and intensify, becoming strong to
severe. Outflow winds to 60 mph and hail to 1.5 inches will be
possible, along with heavy rain and flash flooding for urban and low-
lying areas. Storms will continue for a few hours after sunset,
though most of the CAMs have the last of the activity dissipating by
around midnight. That could push a bit longer if we get any stronger
outflow interactions, but at this time the chance isn't very high.

Thursday...

Upper ridge will continue building in over the region on Thursday.
The plains will be a bit warmer, with highs in the mid-90s, while
the valleys remain in the 80s. Less available moisture and a lack of
large-scale forcing will keep afternoon convection tied to the
mountains, with mostly scattered POPs aside from the San Juans and
southern Sangres, which show better potential for some localized
upsloping. Moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible at times, so
we will have to continue monitoring the burn scars for flash
flooding potential.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1246 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

The pattern for the long-term forecast remains consistent with
previous model runs. The upper ridge will continue dominating the
region, with the center of the high slowly shifting east through the
weekend. Temperatures will remain warm, with some areas over the
eastern plains creeping back into triple digits. Daily showers and
thunderstorms will continue each day as moisture moves around the
upper high. Most convection will be over the mountains, but the
eastern plains will see isolated to scattered storms each day as
well.

Flash flooding will still be a concern over the burn scars, as even
a brief period of moderate to heavy rainfall can cause major
impacts in these areas.

As of now, this pattern looks to persist into early next week,
though model solutions begin to diverge quickly after about Monday.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 520 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

Showers and thunderstorms will continue across the forecast area
through 02z-03z, affecting main TAF sites of KCOS, KPUB and KALS.
Variable gusty outflow winds up to 30-35 kts possible with any
storms in the vcnty. After 03z, and def by 05z, VFR conditions
anticipated across the forecast area through the remainder of the
period. SE surface flow reestablishing around 18z tomorrow for all
three sites, with VCTS mentioned for KALS after 22z.

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flash Flood Watch until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ079-080-
086.

&&

SHORT TERM...GARBEROGLIO
LONG TERM...GARBEROGLIO
AVIATION...MOORE
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 19, 11:27 AM MDT, 7 hours 15 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1127 AM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-201730-
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-
1127 AM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Strong to marginally severe thunderstorms will be likely this
afternoon and into the early evening hours, extending from the
mountains-plains interface to the Kansas border. The best chance for
storms overall will be along the mountains-plains interface
southeastward to the Raton Mesa region. Storms today will be capable
of heavy rain, hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter and wind gusts to
60 mph. Since thunderstorms capable of heavy rain will be possible
over the Aspen Acres burn scar, significant, highly impactful flash
flooding will once again be possible across all of this burn scar
region.

Storms today will generally move from northwest to southeast.

Folks living in the Aspen Acres burn scar region should be on high
alert for flash flooding once again this afternoon. The best chance
for heavy rain will be between 2 pm and 8 pm this evening. More than
one round of heavy rain will be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

With the monsoon plume over the region and the large area of high
pressure remaining the COlorado region, Showers and thunderstorms
will be possible every afternoon and evening across all of the
region. The best chance for storms will be over the mountains with
more isolated activity over the plains.
The rain over the mountains may be heavy at times.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

34/34

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 19, 5:21 PM MDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
521 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

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

0408 PM     Flash Flood      San Isabel              37.99N 105.05W
08/19/2026                   Custer             CO   Emergency Mngr

            6 to 8 inches of running water across
            Highway 165 at mile marker 18 with debris
            and water flowing.

&&

kam
Special weather statement, Aug 19, 5:30 PM MDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
530 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

COZ086-200000-
Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO-
530 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL PUEBLO COUNTY THROUGH
600 PM MDT...

At 530 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
northwestern Pueblo, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Pueblo, Pueblo Airport, Salt Creek, and Blende.

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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Pueblo.

&&

LAT...LON 3830 10473 3837 10459 3822 10439 3809 10464
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 324DEG 18KT 3828 10462

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Moore
Local storm report, Aug 19, 5:39 PM MDT, 1 hour 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
539 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

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

0538 PM     Flash Flood      San Isabel              37.99N 105.05W
08/19/2026                   Custer             CO   Emergency Mngr

            CR 378 damaged end to end, homes mildly
            impacted. Flash flooding likely occurred
            around 4:15 PM.

&&

kam
Special weather statement, Aug 19, 5:57 PM MDT, 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
557 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

COZ077>079-083-200030-
Wet Mountains between 6300 and 10000Ft CO-
Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Ft CO-
Wet Mountain Valley Below 8500 Ft CO-
Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County CO-
557 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL FREMONT AND NORTH
CENTRAL CUSTER COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM MDT...

At 556 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Royal Gorge, or 38 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, moving south
at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Canon City and Royal Gorge.

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.

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.

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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Pueblo.

&&

LAT...LON 3847 10541 3847 10521 3824 10517 3825 10549
TIME...MOT...LOC 2356Z 003DEG 19KT 3843 10532

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Moore
Special weather statement, Aug 19, 6:10 PM MDT, 32 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
610 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

COZ086-089-200045-
Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO-Crowley County CO-
610 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN CROWLEY AND EAST CENTRAL
PUEBLO COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM MDT...

At 610 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Boone, or 18 miles east of Pueblo Airport, moving south at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of western Crowley and
east central Pueblo Counties.

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.

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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Pueblo.

&&

LAT...LON 3826 10425 3831 10410 3818 10399 3811 10423
TIME...MOT...LOC 0010Z 338DEG 11KT 3825 10417

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Moore
Special weather statement, Aug 19, 6:21 PM MDT, 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
621 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

COZ086-093-200045-
Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO-
La Junta Vicinity/Otero County CO-
621 PM MDT Wed Aug 19 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL OTERO AND
SOUTHEASTERN PUEBLO COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM MDT...

At 621 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles southwest of Manzanola, or 23 miles west of La Junta, moving
south at 5 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of west central Otero
and southeastern Pueblo Counties.

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.

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.

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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Pueblo.

&&

LAT...LON 3797 10407 3801 10393 3787 10381 3782 10406
TIME...MOT...LOC 0021Z 348DEG 6KT 3795 10398

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Moore

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 19, 6:02 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningPUBPueblo91 min
Aug 19, 6:05 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBCuster, Fremont25 min
Aug 19, 6:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCrowley35 min
Aug 19, 6:21 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBOtero24 min
Aug 19, 6:42 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPUBCuster, Pueblo92 min
Aug 19, 6:47 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBOtero28 min
Aug 19, 7:34 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso30 min
Aug 20, 12:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBRio Grande29 min
Aug 20, 2:01 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCuster29 min
Aug 20, 2:20 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBTeller25 min
Aug 20, 2:43 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBPueblo32 min
Aug 20, 3:07 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningPUBFremont, Pueblo3 hr
Aug 20, 3:14 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBFremont31 min
Aug 20, 3:18 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBPueblo42 min
Aug 20, 3:36 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBSaguache24 min
Aug 20, 4:06 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBFremont24 min
Aug 20, 4:09 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBTeller36 min
Aug 20, 4:37 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBTeller23 min
Aug 20, 4:51 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBTeller39 min
Aug 20, 5:17 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBaca, Bent28 min
Aug 20, 5:24 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPUBPueblo3 hr
Aug 20, 5:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBTeller44 min
Aug 20, 5:45 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso30 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.