Special Weather Statement, NWS Pueblo, CO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
525 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to severe storm potential this afternoon/evening across the
 far southeast Plains.

- Warmer and breezy today, with continued critical and near critical
  fire weather conditions over and near the higher terrain.

- Trending cooler and unsettled for the late weekend into early
  next week before a warming trend midweek.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 445 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

Update to the forecast package for issuance of Severe
Thunderstorm Watch #323, covering Bent, Prowers and Las Animas
and Baca counties this evening until midnight MDT. Main threats
will be large hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter and wind gusts
up to 80 mph.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 233 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

A stubborn upper level trough continues to linger over the northern
plains. Shortwave disturbances are rippling down from this flow.
These disturbances are causing an increase in westerly flow aloft
leading to critical fire weather conditions due to dry and windy
conditions for the mountains and the foothills near the I-25
corridor. At the same time, a stationary front is meandering into
the forecast area along the CO/NM boarder. Dew points along this
front will cause dryline to develop in the SE corner of the state
this evening. Ample moisture and upper level shear will allow any
thermal updrafts to reach into upper level instability of about 750-
1250j/kg of CAPE over the eastern plains. Storms have the potential
to form in the Raton Mesas before veering towards the corner of
Baca, Bent, Prowers county. Threats for any storms that do form will
be damaging wind gusts of 60-80 mph, large hail up to 1.5 inches.
The latest convective allowing models also support the very slight
probability of tornadoes with increasing Helicity along the
southeastern boarder with OK and KS.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 233 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

Tomorrow, temperatures will be ever so slightly cooler in the mid
80s to mid 90s for the plains. A plume of fairly moist air with dew
points in the 40s will enter the area from the north tomorrow. This
air could help initiate thunderstorm development for the terrain on
the Rampart and Wet mtns with the potential for development on the
Sangre de Cristo and Mosquito mtns as well. Late Saturday afternoon,
a shortwave disturbance will infiltrate the region causing a strong
cool down through Sunday and Monday. Increased chances for showers
exists Sunday as moist air fills into the region creating above
average PWAT values for the entire region. A warming trend sets in
midweek as temperatures rebound back into above normal. Wednesday
even has the potential to reach into the 90s for the foothills and
even possibly the 100s farther east and in the lower Arkansas
Valley.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 524 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

VFR conditions anticipated across the forecast area over the next 24
hours, including the three main TAF sites of KCOS, KPUB and KALS.
Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across the far
eastern plains this evening until 06z, though they are not expected
to affect KCOS or KPUB. Main threats from any storms that develop
will be large hail and very strong wind gusts.

A weak northerly surge expected across the eastern plains later this
evening, affecting KCOS and KPUB, then a stronger cold front is
forecast to push south across the Palmer Divide by midday Saturday.
This will produce wind gusts in the 20-25 kt range across all of the
eastern plains beginning between 14-16z, as well as thickening and
lowering cloud deck.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 235 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

Critical fire weather conditions remain today for many zones due to
strong winds with gusts over 30mph and relative humidities as low as
the single digits. Red Flag warnings were added to COZ229 and 230
due to increased confidence in gap winds for 229 and the potential
for dry lightning and gusty outflow winds down in zone 230 as storms
pass to the east of the zone.

Tomorrow shows a decreased area of critical fire weather as strong
northerly winds push into the region carrying fairly moist air over
the eastern portions of the forecast area. Pueblo County seems to be
in the perfect mix of receiving many of these strong winds yet still
remaining in critical RH values during the daytime hours. The Upper
Arkansas Valley will also experience critical weather as gap and
foehn winds cause Red Flag conditions for zone COZ220.

A cold front passing Sunday will decrease the fire weather risk
early next week yet more critical conditions are forecasted to
return mid next week as a strong warming trend takes effect.

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ220-
222>224-229-230.
Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 7 PM MDT Saturday for COZ220-
228.

&&

UPDATE...MOORE
SHORT TERM...DS
LONG TERM...DS
AVIATION...MOORE
FIRE WEATHER...DS

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1204 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-131815-
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-
1204 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 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 severe storms are possible this afternoon across the
southeast Plains, especially east of US-350. Storm threats
include damaging wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph, large hail up to 1.5
inches in diameter, along with the very slight but non-zero
potential for a tornado in the southeast corner of Colorado.

Elsewhere, dry and windy critical fire weather conditions will
develop across portions of the forecast area. A Red Flag Warning
is in place until 8 PM across the Central and Southwest
mountains, the San Luis Valley and into the gap flow areas of the
middle Arkansas River Valley, Fremont county as well as for the
I-25 corridor in Huerfano and Las Animas County.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

A passing front increases the chances of showers and storms
across Eastern Colorado on Saturday. Dry and breezy conditions
continue to create critical fire weather conditions across the
Central mountains and into the middle Arkansas River Valley once
again.

Much cooler and unsettled weather is predicted for Sunday into
early next week. Warmer and drier conditions return for the entire
area by the middle and end of next week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

DS/DS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
304 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

COZ074-088-122130-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
304 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
THROUGH 330 PM MDT...

At 304 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Cokedale, or 13 miles southwest of Trinidad, moving
east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Trinidad, Starkville, and Raton Pass.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3708 10480 3721 10435 3699 10427 3699 10480
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 261DEG 30KT 3703 10467

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KTS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
356 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

COZ074-088-122230-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
356 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
THROUGH 430 PM MDT...

At 355 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Raton Pass, or 9 miles north of Raton, moving east at 25 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...
Raton Pass.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3708 10459 3720 10419 3700 10413 3699 10457
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 256DEG 20KT 3702 10448

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

KTS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
456 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

COZ094-122330-
Eastern Las Animas County CO-
456 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
THROUGH 530 PM MDT...

At 455 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles east of Branson, or 24 miles northeast of Des Moines, moving
northeast at 25 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.

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

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 3713 10373 3731 10342 3700 10323 3700 10369
TIME...MOT...LOC 2255Z 243DEG 23KT 3707 10364

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

Moore

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
545 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

COZ093-094-097-130015-
Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County CO-Eastern Las Animas County CO-
La Junta Vicinity/Otero County CO-
545 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN OTERO...EAST
CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS AND SOUTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES THROUGH 615 PM
MDT...

At 545 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Higbee, or 24 miles south of North La Junta,
moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Otero,
east central Las Animas and southwestern Bent Counties.

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 3755 10344 3771 10345 3779 10311 3750 10310
TIME...MOT...LOC 2345Z 269DEG 17KT 3765 10337

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Moore

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
615 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

COZ094-097>099-130045-
Springfield Vicinity/Baca County CO-Lamar Vicinity/Prowers County CO-
Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County CO-Eastern Las Animas County CO-
615 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN PROWERS...
NORTHWESTERN BACA...EASTERN LAS ANIMAS AND SOUTHEASTERN BENT COUNTIES
THROUGH 645 PM MDT...

At 615 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 23
miles south of John Martin Reservoir, or 31 miles southeast of North
La Junta, moving east at 45 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...
Two Buttes Reservoir.

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 3760 10311 3780 10315 3802 10273 3761 10256
TIME...MOT...LOC 0015Z 250DEG 38KT 3775 10302

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

Moore

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
621 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

COZ099-130045-
Springfield Vicinity/Baca County CO-
621 PM MDT Fri Jun 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL BACA COUNTY
THROUGH 645 PM MDT...

At 620 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Campo, or 22 miles south of Springfield, moving northeast at 35 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...
Campo.

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 3700 10278 3713 10283 3734 10245 3700 10226
      3699 10255
TIME...MOT...LOC 0020Z 245DEG 29KT 3708 10270

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

Moore