Alert archive / Colorado / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 280, NWS Pueblo, CO
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.
- 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
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
$$
Moore2 follow-up statements
475
WWUS55 KPUB 220317
SVSPUB
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
917 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026
COC089-220326-
/O.CAN.KPUB.SV.W.0280.000000T0000Z-260822T0330Z/
Otero CO-
917 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN OTERO COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 3837 10330 3836 10314 3811 10319 3825 10339
TIME...MOT...LOC 0316Z 022DEG 6KT 3829 10326
$$
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
$$
Moore691 WWUS55 KPUB 220324 SVSPUB Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 924 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026 COC011-061-220333- /O.EXP.KPUB.SV.W.0280.000000T0000Z-260822T0330Z/ Kiowa CO-Bent CO- 924 PM MDT Fri Aug 21 2026 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN KIOWA AND NORTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM MDT... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, small hail, gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service Pueblo. && LAT...LON 3837 10330 3836 10314 3811 10319 3825 10339 TIME...MOT...LOC 0323Z 025DEG 13KT 3830 10326 $$ 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
SimcoeSpecial 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
MooreSpecial 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
MooreThe office that day
Everything else NWS Pueblo, CO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 7:31 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | Kiowa | 29 min |
| Aug 21, 7:35 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PUB | Kiowa | 40 min |
| Aug 21, 8:14 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PUB | Kiowa | 46 min |
| Aug 21, 8:20 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | El Paso | 25 min |
| Aug 22, 11:14 AM MDT | Flash Flood Watch | PUB | Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Pueblo | 31 hr |
| Aug 22, 3:38 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | Huerfano | 37 min |
| Aug 22, 3:58 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | Teller | 32 min |
| Aug 22, 4:16 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | Pueblo | 29 min |
| Aug 22, 4:40 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | Teller | 35 min |
| Aug 22, 4:43 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | Pueblo | 32 min |
| Aug 22, 5:28 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | Pueblo | 32 min |
| Aug 22, 5:56 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | Teller | 34 min |
| Aug 22, 5:58 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | PUB | Teller | 32 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.