Severe Thunderstorm Warning 4, NWS Pueblo, CO

745 
WWUS55 KPUB 210113
SVSPUB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
713 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

COC071-210130-
/O.CON.KPUB.SV.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260521T0130Z/
Las Animas CO-
713 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM MDT
FOR CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTY...

At 713 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Model, or 16
miles northeast of Trinidad, moving east at 30 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...
Model.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3725 10436 3735 10435 3742 10406 3719 10405
TIME...MOT...LOC 0113Z 266DEG 26KT 3731 10427 

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

$$

Simcoe

747 
WWUS55 KPUB 210130
SVSPUB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
730 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

COC071-210140-
/O.EXP.KPUB.SV.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260521T0130Z/
Las Animas CO-
730 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTY HAS
EXPIRED...

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 has been allowed to expire.  However, small
hail and gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3725 10436 3735 10435 3742 10406 3719 10405
TIME...MOT...LOC 0130Z 266DEG 26KT 3732 10414 

$$

Simcoe

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
544 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered showers and storms through the late evening.

- Strong to severe storms Thursday afternoon and evening across
  the southeast plains.

- Continued chances of afternoon showers and storms, especially
  over and near the higher terrain, with a gradual warming trend
  into the weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 115 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

Current water vapor imagery and upper air analysis continues to
indicate moderate southwest flow aloft with broad upper trough digging
across the Rockies at this time. Water vapor imagery is also indicating
more short wave energy translating across the Pacific Northwest and
Intermountain West at this time. Regional radars are indicating showers
developing across the higher terrain, best coverage across the Central
Mtns, with spc meso-analysis indicating SB CAPE of 250-500 j/g at this
time across the higher terrain. Further east across the I-25 Corridor,
clouds and upslope flow have kept temperatures in the the 40s and 50s at
this time, with breaks in the clouds leading to current readings in the
50s and 60s across the rest of the plains, with readings in the 40s, 50s
and 60s across the higher terrain at this time.

Latest high res models continue to indicate mean cape of 400-800 j/kg over
and near the higher terrain through the early evening, with scattered showers
and storms over the higher terrain pushing east across the I-25 Corridor into
the southeast plains through the evening, with a developing low level jet
helping to keep activity ongoing into the late night hours, before storms
continue into western Kansas overnight. Despite modest instability, strong
deep layer shear could produce a few stronger storms producing gusty outflow
winds to near 50 mph, small hail and locally heavy rainfall. Otherwise, will
see decreasing clouds with overnight lows in the 20s and 30s and over the
higher terrain, with overnight lows mainly in the 40s across the plains, where
stratus will redevelop overnight.

Heading into Thursday, latest model data supports severe storm development
across southeast Colorado, with expected strong deep layer shear in place
again, as the aforementioned Intermountain West shortwave, translates across
the region through the afternoon and evening. Said short wave will aid in
storm development across the higher terrain through the late morning and
afternoon, with storms pushing east into a much more favorable storm
environment across the plains, with the latest HREF indicating mean cape
of 1000-1500 j/kg. Latest model data supports developing lee low across the
plains, with increasing Storm Relative Helicity through the afternoon and
early evening, supporting supercell development and the potential for storms
producing large hail of 1 to 2 inches in diameter, damaging winds in excess
of 60 mph, and the possibility for tornadoes across the plains on Thursday.
With that said, the latest SPC Outlook has the far southeast plains in a
Slight Risk, with the rest of southeast Colorado east of the I-25 Corridor
in a Marginal Risk for severe storms.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 115 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

The passing wave sends a front across the plains Thursday night into
early Friday morning, with developing easterly upslope keeping the best
chances of afternoon showers and storms over and near the higher terrain
Friday and Saturday, as latest model data indicates more embedded short
waves translating through the west to northwest flow aloft across the
region. This will also keep temperatures at to slightly below seasonal
levels into the early weekend, with high in the 60s to low 70s across
the plains and mainly in the 50s and 60s across the higher terrain.

A warming and drying trend remains in the offing for the later portion
of the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, with upper level ridging progged
across the region into early next week. This will allow for temperatures
to warm back to above seasonal levels, with continued though more limited
chances of afternoon showers generally over the higher terrain.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 534 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

VFR conditions have settled in at all sites at this time, while
latest radar imagery showing any showery development staying
away from the terminals. VFR and dry conditions will persist
throughout the entire period for ALS with the gustier southwest
winds observed today returning once again on Thursday.

For COS and PUB anticipate a period of showers to remain
possible through mid evening before conditions dry out. At this
time, any thunderstorm development Thursday afternoon looks to
stay away from the terminals, and don't have any confidence to
include in the TAFs at this time. The MVFR ceilings will return
late this evening and likely remain in place through mid
morning. Do think there is a possibility for IFR ceilings at COS
but with low confidence at this time, have opted to leave out of
the TAF. Additionally, some potential for the lower ceilings to
continue slightly longer than currently forecast, and will allow
later forecasts to update as needed.

With several outflow boundaries in place this evening, wind
direction and speed may start out somewhat erratic at the start
of the period for COS and PUB. A trends to the northeast should
occur for COS through mid evening, while a wind shift to the
east occurs at PUB. Lighter east southeast winds return later
tonight, before these winds increase once again during the day
on Thursday.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...MW
LONG TERM...MW
AVIATION...RODRIGUEZ

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1026 AM MDT Wed May 20 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-211630-
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-
1026 AM MDT Wed May 20 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms look to develop over the
higher terrain through the early afternoon, and then push out
across the plains through the mid afternoon hours, where storms
could last through the late evening. The main storm threats today
include gusty outflow winds to around 45 mph, small hail up to
1/2 inch in diameter and locally heavy rainfall, with the
strongest storms.

One or two inches of snow will be possible across the highest
elevations of the central mountains, and across Pikes Peak.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected over the plains on
Thursday. The combination of sufficient instability, increasing
deep shear and a strong disturbance aloft moving towards the
region will allow for thunderstorms to initiate over the
mountains, which will move over the plains during the afternoon
and evening. Given the moderate shear that will be in place across
the plains, rotating supercell thunderstorms will be possible,
which will be capable of producing damaging hail, winds to 60 to
70 mph and possibly an isolated tornado.

For the remainder of the period, isolated showers and thunderstorms
will be possible during the afternoon and evening hours. Temperatures
will gradually increase back to at and slightly above seasonal levels
through the period.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

23/34

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
238 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

COZ088-202115-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
238 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
THROUGH 315 PM MDT...

At 237 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles northeast of Aguilar, or 25 miles north of Trinidad, moving
east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central Las
Animas County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3746 10448 3756 10453 3772 10421 3748 10407
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 251DEG 23KT 3753 10445

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Simcoe

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
353 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

COZ093-097-202230-
Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County CO-La Junta Vicinity/Otero County CO-
353 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN OTERO AND
SOUTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM MDT...

At 353 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Timpas, or 17 miles southwest of La Junta, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
La Junta, North La Junta, Higbee, and Timpas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3767 10379 3773 10384 3780 10385 3799 10352
      3777 10328
TIME...MOT...LOC 2153Z 246DEG 35KT 3777 10372

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Simcoe

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
516 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

COZ088-093-094-097-202345-
Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County CO-Eastern Las Animas County CO-
La Junta Vicinity/Otero County CO-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
516 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN OTERO...CENTRAL LAS
ANIMAS AND WESTERN BENT COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM MDT...

At 516 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 12 miles south of Timpas to
8 miles southeast of Thatcher to 10 miles southeast of Model.
Movement was east 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.

Locations impacted include...
Higbee.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3781 10334 3750 10357 3720 10373 3719 10412
      3749 10403 3765 10393 3776 10365
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 254DEG 15KT 3763 10377 3746 10394 3726 10406

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

Simcoe

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
552 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

COZ093-094-097-210015-
Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County CO-Eastern Las Animas County CO-
La Junta Vicinity/Otero County CO-
552 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN OTERO...NORTHEASTERN
LAS ANIMAS AND SOUTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES THROUGH 615 PM MDT...

At 552 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles southeast of Timpas
to 16 miles southwest of Higbee to 20 miles southeast of Thatcher.
Movement was east at 30 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.

Locations impacted include...
Higbee.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3799 10319 3766 10320 3726 10338 3726 10383
      3761 10373 3784 10364
TIME...MOT...LOC 2352Z 257DEG 25KT 3777 10364 3758 10363 3733 10380

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

Simcoe

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
649 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

COZ088-210115-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
649 PM MDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
THROUGH 715 PM MDT...

At 649 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hoehne, or 10 miles north of Trinidad, moving northeast at 30 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.

Locations impacted include...
Model and Hoehne.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3723 10453 3733 10460 3752 10428 3730 10409
TIME...MOT...LOC 0049Z 246DEG 24KT 3731 10448

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

Simcoe