Alert archive / Colorado / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 65, NWS Pueblo, CO

June 22, 2026Bent County, Las Animas County, Otero County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 22, 2026, 6:53 PM MDT for Bent County, Las Animas County, Otero County, Colorado. It was in force for 52 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
Jun 22, 2026, 6:53 PM MDT (00:53 UTC)
Expired
Jun 22, 2026, 7:45 PM MDT
In force
52 min
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Possible
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
2.5 in
Wind
70.0 mph

Counties Bent County, CO, Las Animas County, CO, Otero County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 92 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:54 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 22, 1:30 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC10 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 0.9 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, Dodge City, at 00:00Z on 2026-06-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 444 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 2026-06-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 26 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
444 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-291 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
966 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
26 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
132 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

231 
WUUS55 KPUB 230053
SVRPUB
COC011-071-089-230145-
/O.NEW.KPUB.SV.W.0065.260623T0053Z-260623T0145Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
653 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southeastern Otero County in southeastern Colorado...
  Northeastern Las Animas County in southeastern Colorado...
  Southwestern Bent County in southeastern Colorado...

* Until 745 PM MDT.

* At 653 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles west of
  Higbee, or 12 miles south of La Junta, moving southeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tennis ball size hail and 70 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail 
           damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect 
           considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to 
           mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

* Locations impacted include...
  Higbee.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

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

Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside
should move immediately to shelter inside a strong building. Stay
away from windows.

&&

LAT...LON 3781 10377 3797 10364 3778 10321 3753 10347
TIME...MOT...LOC 0053Z 314DEG 17KT 3781 10361 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

KT
2 follow-up statements
791 
WWUS55 KPUB 230101
SVSPUB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
701 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

COC011-071-089-230145-
/O.CON.KPUB.SV.W.0065.000000T0000Z-260623T0145Z/
Otero CO-Las Animas CO-Bent CO-
701 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM MDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN OTERO...NORTHEASTERN LAS ANIMAS AND SOUTHWESTERN
BENT COUNTIES...

At 701 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Higbee, or 15
miles south of North La Junta, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable 
         tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, 
         roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Higbee.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3780 10371 3792 10358 3778 10321 3753 10347
TIME...MOT...LOC 0101Z 318DEG 20KT 3776 10354 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

KT
613 
WWUS55 KPUB 230116
SVSPUB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
716 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

COC011-071-089-230145-
/O.CON.KPUB.SV.W.0065.000000T0000Z-260623T0145Z/
Otero CO-Las Animas CO-Bent CO-
716 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM MDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN OTERO...NORTHEASTERN LAS ANIMAS AND SOUTHWESTERN
BENT COUNTIES...

At 716 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Higbee, or 18
miles south of North La Junta, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable 
         tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, 
         roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Higbee.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3775 10367 3787 10353 3778 10321 3753 10347
TIME...MOT...LOC 0116Z 313DEG 15KT 3771 10348 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

KT

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 Jun 22, 5:25 PM MDT, 1 hour 28 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Severe thunderstorms likely on the plains next several days over the plains.
  • RED FLAG Warnings in effect over parts of the region today and tomorrow over the interior mountains.
  • Moisture should increase over the mountains Thursday and Friday.
  • Hot and Dry (Critical fire wx conditions) will once again develop Sunday into early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 22, 5:25 PM MDT, 1 hour 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
525 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Severe thunderstorms likely on the plains next several days over
the plains.

- RED FLAG Warnings in effect over parts of the region today and
tomorrow over the interior mountains.

- Moisture should increase over the mountains Thursday and Friday.

- Hot and Dry (Critical fire wx conditions) will once again
  develop Sunday into early next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 101 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

For today, severe thunderstorms are once again likely over the
plains this afternoon into this evening. All areas at the lower
elevations could see severe storms today, with the best chance over
the far eastern plains where the better moisture and shear are
located. The primary threat will be very large damaging hail. In the
short term, best chance of strong/severe storms will be from El
Paso county east-southeast towards Lamar. Additional storms
will be possible later this afternoon and into this evening.

For tomorrow, the severe threat will be a bit more farther north and
east, with the best chances of strong to severe storms from roughly
Pueblo to Kim. Areas south of this line are expected to dry
out, decreasing the threat of storms over this region. North of
this line severe storms will be possible in the afternoon. Some
of the guidance shows storms may for later in the day.

In the interior mountains for today and tomorrow it will be
hot, dry and breezy. Red Flag conditions are likely both days.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 101 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

Tomorrow night...

Guidance shows that storms, some strong to severe, will linger well
into the night time hours Tuesday evening into the early morning
hours of Wednesday. POPs from the initial NBM were categorical for
most of the plains between 06 - 12 UTC Wed, and these values
looked well overdone. However, I believe it we will see showers
and storms and kept relatively high pops ongoing through the
above mentioned  time period above.

Wednesday, strong to severe storms will be possible, but believe
storms will likely form much later in the day as I suspect the
boundary layer over the region will be rather stable in the morning.
Once again, all types of severe weather will be possible on
wednesday.

For the mtns on Wednesday, Red Flag conditions will once again
be possible over the interior mtns.

Thursday, severe weather threat will be much further north this day
as the better flow will push poleward. However believe we will still
see a threat of stronger storms this day over the region.
Additionally, a moisture plume should move into the mtns and this
should put an end to the red flag conditions, and we may see some
wetting rains over the higher terrain. Unfortunately. we will likely
see some lightning which may produce new fire starts.

Friday into Saturday...we should see a good chance of afternoon
and evening storms both days over the entire region this day.

Sunday into next week. an strong trough will develop over the
Pacific northwest and this will bring rather strong and dry mid
level flow over the region, Temps will warm up significantly
and 100s should return to the plains. Critical fire weather
conditions will likely ramp up once again. \/Hodanish

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 522 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

KALS...VFR conditions through the next 24 hours. Gusty winds out
of the west are forecast for Tuesday afternoon.

KCOS and KPUB...gusty northeast to easterly winds will continue
this evening due to outflow from thunderstorms to the east, with
gusts near 30 kts likely. Winds will dissipate later this
evening, becoming northerly overnight. Easterly winds will
increase through Tuesday morning, with thunderstorms developing
near KCOS by late afternoon.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 101 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

Red Flag conditions will occur today and tomorrow over the
interior mountains and valleys. For tomorrow, critical
conditions will push into Fremont county. Critical fire weather
conditions will once again be possible Wednesday.

Some moisture may move into the mtns Thursday and Friday. It
dries out and once again become hot and windy Sunday into early
next week.

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ220-223-
224.
Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Tuesday for COZ220-
222>224.

&&

SHORT TERM...HODANISH
LONG TERM...HODANISH
AVIATION...MOZLEY
FIRE WEATHER...HODANISH
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 22, 11:38 AM MDT, 7 hours 15 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1138 AM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-231745-
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-
1138 AM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected this
afternoon into this evening. Storms will move off of the Palmer and
surrounding areas, moving southeast and intensifying over time. Some
strong to severe storms are expected. Given the supportive
environment, damaging hail up to the size of 2 inches and winds
to 65 mph will be the main threats, though a tornado or two can't
be ruled out.

Meanwhile, critical fire weather conditions are expected throughout
the afternoon over the interior mountains and the San Luis Valley,
with dry surface conditions and breezy west winds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

More strong to severe storms are expected to return each afternoon
over the eastern plains through Thursday. The area will continue
seeing plenty of low-level moisture, wind shear, and supportive lift
from some passing disturbances aloft. For Tuesday, the
thunderstorm activity may form later in the day across the region,
and may last into the early morning hours of Wednesday. All severe
weather hazards are possible the next few days, including large
to very large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes.

Meanwhile, critical fire weather conditions will continue over
the interior mountains and San Luis Valley each afternoon, with
low RH and breezy west winds coupled with warm temperatures. This
will continue each day through Wednesday. Some increase in
moisture should return to all of the mountains Thursday, and last
into Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

Hodanish

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 22, 5:11 PM MDT, 1 hour 42 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
511 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

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

0510 PM     Funnel Cloud     Fowler                  38.13N 104.02W
06/22/2026                   Otero              CO   Law Enforcement

&&
Local storm report, Jun 22, 5:13 PM MDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
513 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

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

0512 PM     Hail             3 NNE Olney Springs     38.21N 103.93W
06/22/2026  M2.25 Inch       Crowley            CO   Storm Chaser

&&
Local storm report, Jun 22, 5:17 PM MDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
517 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

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

0510 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     6 N Pueblo Depot        38.40N 104.32W
06/22/2026  E65 MPH          Pueblo             CO   Amateur Radio

&&
Local storm report, Jun 22, 5:23 PM MDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
523 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

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

0522 PM     Tornado          1 W Fowler              38.13N 104.05W
06/22/2026                   Otero              CO   Law Enforcement

&&
Local storm report, Jun 22, 5:37 PM MDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
537 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

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

0535 PM     Hail             Fowler                  38.13N 104.03W
06/22/2026  M1.50 Inch       Otero              CO   Trained Spotter

&&
Special weather statement, Jun 22, 6:33 PM MDT, 20 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
633 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

COZ081-084-230100-
Teller County/Rampart Range above 7500fT/Pike's Peak Between 7500 And
11000 Ft CO-
Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below 7500 Ft
CO-
633 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN EL PASO COUNTY
THROUGH 700 PM MDT...

At 633 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Monument, or 18 miles north of Colorado Springs, moving east at 30
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...
Monument, Air Force Academy, Palmer Lake, Black Forest, and
Gleneagle.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3896 10462 3904 10497 3913 10496 3913 10454
TIME...MOT...LOC 0033Z 285DEG 26KT 3910 10489

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

KT

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 22, 6:05 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPUBCrowley, Otero40 min
Jun 22, 6:20 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPUBBent, Otero40 min
Jun 22, 6:33 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso27 min
Jun 22, 7:39 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBent, Las Animas, Otero51 min
Jun 22, 8:00 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBent, Las Animas45 min
Jun 22, 8:44 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBaca46 min
Jun 23, 12:03 AM MDTFire Weather WatchPUBAlamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Lake, Rio Grande and 1 more14 hr
Jun 23, 2:04 PM MDTRed Flag WarningPUBAlamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Lake, Rio Grande and 1 more29 hr
Jun 23, 4:08 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso37 min
Jun 23, 4:16 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso44 min
Jun 23, 4:26 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso49 min
Jun 23, 4:50 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso40 min
Jun 23, 5:02 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso43 min
Jun 23, 5:10 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso, Pueblo50 min
Jun 23, 5:22 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso18 min
Jun 23, 5:57 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBCrowley, El Paso, Pueblo48 min
Jun 23, 5:58 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso, Pueblo47 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.