Alert archive / Colorado / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 280, NWS Pueblo, CO

August 21, 2026Bent County, Kiowa County, Otero County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 21, 2026, 9:01 PM MDT for Bent County, Kiowa County, Otero County, Colorado. It was in force for 29 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 21, 2026, 9:01 PM MDT (03:01 UTC)
Expired
Aug 21, 2026, 9:30 PM MDT
In force
29 min
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Bent County, CO, Kiowa County, CO, Otero County, CO

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm 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

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 3.0 hours before the alert went out and 302 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, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 2026-08-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1448 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 2026-08-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -18 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
1448 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-110 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2563 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
35 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-18 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
42 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

506 
WUUS55 KPUB 220301
SVRPUB
COC011-061-089-220330-
/O.NEW.KPUB.SV.W.0280.260822T0301Z-260822T0330Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
901 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northeastern Otero County in southeastern Colorado...
  Southwestern Kiowa County in southeastern Colorado...
  Northwestern Bent County in southeastern Colorado...

* Until 930 PM MDT.

* At 900 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Blue Lake, or
  26 miles northeast of North La Junta, moving southwest at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Las Animas, Blue Lake, and Arlington.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3837 10330 3836 10314 3806 10320 3817 10349
TIME...MOT...LOC 0300Z 025DEG 22KT 3830 10325 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Moore
2 follow-up statements
475 
WWUS55 KPUB 220317
SVSPUB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
917 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

COC089-220326-
/O.CAN.KPUB.SV.W.0280.000000T0000Z-260822T0330Z/
Otero CO-
917 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN OTERO COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of 
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

&&

LAT...LON 3837 10330 3836 10314 3811 10319 3825 10339
TIME...MOT...LOC 0316Z 022DEG 6KT 3829 10326 

$$

COC011-061-220330-
/O.CON.KPUB.SV.W.0280.000000T0000Z-260822T0330Z/
Kiowa CO-Bent CO-
917 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM MDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN KIOWA AND NORTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES...

At 916 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Blue Lake, or
26 miles northeast of North La Junta, moving south at 5 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Blue Lake and Arlington.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3837 10330 3836 10314 3811 10319 3825 10339
TIME...MOT...LOC 0316Z 022DEG 6KT 3829 10326 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Moore
691 
WWUS55 KPUB 220324
SVSPUB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
924 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

COC011-061-220333-
/O.EXP.KPUB.SV.W.0280.000000T0000Z-260822T0330Z/
Kiowa CO-Bent CO-
924 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN KIOWA AND
NORTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM MDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However, small
hail, gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this
thunderstorm.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3837 10330 3836 10314 3811 10319 3825 10339
TIME...MOT...LOC 0323Z 025DEG 13KT 3830 10326 

$$

Moore

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 21, 5:42 PM MDT, 3 hours 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Monsoon moisture strengthens slightly through most of next week with daily chances for showers and thunderstorms over the region.
  • Flooding and flash flooding will be possible each day over the Aspen Acres and 24 burn scars, urban areas, and over regions with saturated soils.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 21, 5:42 PM MDT, 3 hours 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
542 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Monsoon moisture strengthens slightly through most of next
  week with daily chances for showers and thunderstorms over
  the region.

- Flooding and flash flooding will be possible each day over the
  Aspen Acres and 24 burn scars, urban areas, and over regions
  with saturated soils.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 211 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Thunderstorm coverage will continue to be more isolated late this
afternoon and evening. The primary risks will be gusty outflow winds
of up to 40 MPH - so keep an eye out for virga which would be an
indicator of strong winds. Underneath the core of the thunderstorm
will be locally heavy rainfall. At this point in time, there is no
hail in the forecast. As for flash flooding risks this afternoon, it
is fairly low - one cannot rule out an isolated storm that develops
over the burn scar in which we'll have to issue a Flash Flood
Warning, but the chances are low (<20%).

Overnight low temperatures will be in the low 60s across the plains
and the 50s over mountain valleys.

The stronger monsoonal tap returns once again tomorrow as the upper
level high pressure center building today compresses allowing a
westerly moist flow reach Colorado. The main question is if to issue
a Flash Flood Watch for tomorrow for the Aspen Acres Burn Scar. I
cannot say right now with 50% certainty or higher that the burn scar
will have a flash flood tomorrow, therefore I will hold off on the
Watch for this forecast cycle. Check back with the overnight
crew.

High temperatures tomorrow will be in the mid to upper 60s
across the plains and in the upper 80s to low 90s over the
mountain valleys.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 211 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Monsoon moisture will be present throughout most of the week. Sunday
afternoon and evening has the strongest flooding signal for the
Aspen Acres burn scar with enough confidence for thunderstorm
development further south across the region. The 500hPa high is
compressed enough in response to a wave passing to the north of the
high to allow these storms to develop. So keep an eye out for a
Flash Flood Watch for Sunday afternoon.  Monday through Wednesday
has a lot of similarities, however. The high is centered south of
Colorado and allows that monsoonal moisture over the west to advect
over southern Colorado, so there will be daily chances for showers
and thunderstorms over our mountains, mountain valleys, and plains.
We'll need to be on higher alert for flooding and flash flooding
over urban areas, regions with saturated soils, and over our burn
scars, including the Aspen Acres burn scar.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 541 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

VFR conditions are expected across much of the forecast area over
the next 24 hrs, including the three main TAF sites of KCOS, KPUB
and KALS. Maintained mention of VCSH for TAF sites through 02z,
with a PROB30 for -TSRA at KALS through 02z. Brought in VCTS
for KALS and KCOS starting around 19z-20z tomorrow, while KPUB
will likely see developing convection beyond forecast period.

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

SHORT TERM...SKELLY
LONG TERM...SKELLY
AVIATION...MOORE
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 21, 2:21 PM MDT, 6 hours 40 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
221 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-222030-
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-
221 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are anticipated
across the higher terrain and nearby adjacent plains this afternoon
through early evening, with the main threats being cloud to ground
lightning and wind gusts to 50 mph. If a storm happens to move
over the Aspen Acres burn scar, flash flooding could occur.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

There will be a daily shot of showers and thunderstorms, initiating
over the higher terrain by midday, then spreading across the I-25
Corridor and adjacent plains through the evening hours. Main threats
will be wind gusts to 50 mph, cloud to ground lightning, periods of
moderate to heavy rainfall and small hail. There are indications of
possibly some stronger storms near the Kansas border Sunday
afternoon and evening.

The threat for flash flooding, particularly for area burn scars,
increases starting Saturday and remains elevated each day through
Tuesday due to the potential coverage and frequency of
thunderstorms.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

SKELLY/SKELLY

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 21, 3:58 PM MDT, 5 hours 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
358 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

COZ084-085-212230-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below
7400 Ft CO-
Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below 7500 Ft
CO-
358 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL EL PASO COUNTY THROUGH
430 PM MDT...

At 358 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Schriever Space Force Base, or 15 miles east of Colorado Springs,
moving southeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea 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...
Schriever Space Force Base.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3884 10461 3889 10451 3879 10433 3871 10459
TIME...MOT...LOC 2158Z 328DEG 8KT 3884 10454

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Simcoe
Special weather statement, Aug 21, 7:31 PM MDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
731 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

COZ095-220200-
Western Kiowa County CO-
731 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN KIOWA COUNTY
THROUGH 800 PM MDT...

At 730 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles northeast of Haswell, or 38 miles west of Cheyenne Wells,
moving south at 20 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 hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Haswell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 3843 10319 3861 10315 3862 10288 3844 10282
TIME...MOT...LOC 0130Z 358DEG 16KT 3861 10302

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

Moore
Special weather statement, Aug 21, 8:20 PM MDT, 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
820 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

COZ084-085-220245-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below
7400 Ft CO-
Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below 7500 Ft
CO-
820 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN EL PASO COUNTY
THROUGH 845 PM MDT...

At 820 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ramah, or 30 miles southwest of Limon. This thunderstorm was nearly
stationary.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Calhan, Yoder, and Rush.

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 3910 10406 3891 10405 3880 10406 3883 10439
      3911 10429
TIME...MOT...LOC 0220Z 329DEG 4KT 3905 10419

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Moore

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 21, 7:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBKiowa29 min
Aug 21, 7:35 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBKiowa40 min
Aug 21, 8:14 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBKiowa46 min
Aug 21, 8:20 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso25 min
Aug 22, 11:14 AM MDTFlash Flood WatchPUBCuster, Fremont, Huerfano, Pueblo31 hr
Aug 22, 3:38 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBHuerfano37 min
Aug 22, 3:58 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBTeller32 min
Aug 22, 4:16 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBPueblo29 min
Aug 22, 4:40 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBTeller35 min
Aug 22, 4:43 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBPueblo32 min
Aug 22, 5:28 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBPueblo32 min
Aug 22, 5:56 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBTeller34 min
Aug 22, 5:58 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBTeller32 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Colorado, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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.