Special Weather Statement, NWS Pueblo, CO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
112 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall and flash
  flooding continue through Sunday with a few strong to severe
  thunderstorms across the southeast plains both days.

- Thunderstorm activity a little less widespread for Monday as
  drier air works in from the west.

- Warmer and drier for the rest of next week with isolated
  thunderstorms over the mountains most days.

- A cool front brings an uptick in thunderstorms, with the
  potential for strong to severe storms for the southeast
  mountains and plains Wed and Thu.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 1213 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

Monsoon moisture with embedded disturbances continues to stream
up from the southwest across southern CO. Many areas receive
rainfall across the plains on Friday with a broad swath of 1 to
2 inch rainfall amounts across Las Animas, Otero, Bent, Prowers
and Kiowa counties. Another area of 1-2 inch rainfall amounts
fell across northern Teller and El Paso counties. With more
rainfall possible today, opted to expand Flash Flood Watches
across most of the southeast plains except Baca county where
rainfall the past couple days has been much lighter.

Thunderstorms will continue into the evening and overnight hours
across the southeast plains with one or more thunderstorm clusters
developing and advancing east southeastward off the Palmer
Divide and Raton Mesa regions. Mean CAPE off HREF ranges from up
to 1000 J/kg along the I-25 corridor to close to 2000 J/kg
across the far eastern plains with stronger deep layer shears
(30-35kts) vs yesterday. This should support a few more severe
thunderstorms with gusty outflow winds around 60 mph or greater
and hail up to around 1 inch in diameter. Heavy rainfall will
also be a concern, especially for burn scars, urban areas and
locations with already saturated soil conditions. Kept pops
going well into the night as most CAMS suggest thunderstorm
regeneration along the southeast mountains pushing off into the
adjacent plains. Confidence is greatest for persistent
thunderstorm regeneration to the north of highway 50 and out
across Baca county along a reinforcing surge of a cold front.
Kept low temperatures on the warmer side of guidance.

A similar scenario will play out for Sunday though the axis of
higher CAPE will push westward to along the I-25 corridor where
enhanced easterly upslope flow will keep dew points in the upper
50s to close to 60. With monsoon moisture still over the region
combined with a stronger focus for thunderstorm develop across
the southeast mountains, Sunday looks like another high end day
(perhaps higher risk than today) for flash flooding of the Aspen
Acres Burn scar. Have issued another Flash Flood Watch for this
area. Thunderstorms will push eastward across the plains where
higher CAPE and better shear will reside, resulting in another
round of strong to severe thunderstorms, this time favoring the
I-25 corridor and adjacent plains. Large hail and damaging winds
will be the most likely threats.  A cap farther east may take a
little longer to erode on Sunday, but it still looks like
sufficient surface heating will take place for thunderstorms to
spread eastward into the evening with some regeneration possible
after dark along the I-25 corridor as a disturbance aloft moves
through the flow. -KT

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1213 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

A drying trend commences on Monday though southern and eastern
areas will see one more round of heavy rain producing
thunderstorms. A few strong storms will be possible across the
plains where shears will range from 25 to 35 kts in the
afternoon. Flash Flooding of Aspen Acres burn scar still looks
possible though thunderstorm coverage may be a little less which
may reduce the risk some.

The upper high expands westward for Tuesday then amplifies
across the western U.S. through mid week as a shortwave trough
passes by to the north and east on Wednesday. Hot temperatures
and mostly dry conditions will return for Tuesday with highs
rebounding into the mid to upper 90s across the plains. A cold
front brings another uptick in thunderstorms to the southeast
mountains and plains Wednesday and possibly Thursday. With
southeasterly low level flow beneath northwest flow aloft, shear
will be sufficient for strong to severe thunderstorms as long
as low level moisture and sufficient CAPE is maintained. There
is some drying coming in from the north on Thursday which could
shunt the strong to severe storm potential to south of highway
50 on Thursday.

Otherwise...warmer weather returns for Friday into the weekend
with a southerly moisture tap out west recirculating through
the upper high bringing another gradual moistening along with
increasing thunderstorm chances across the mountains next
weekend. -KT

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1115 AM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

Thunderstorms will develop over the mountains around 18z and
spread off into KCOS and KPUB after 20-21z. Some brief MVFR
cigs/vis will be possible with any stronger storms should
they impact the terminals, along with gusty outflow winds up
to 50 kts. Some small hail and torrential rainfall could
also accompany the stronger cells. Storms will pull east of the
terminals by 00-01z but another round will move off the
mountains during the evening affecting KCOS and possibly KPUB
through 06z-07z. Confidence is greatest at KCOS where a PROB30
group will cover this potential. Less confidence exists for
KPUB so kept this a prevailing VCSH for now.  Winds will become
dominated by thunderstorm outflows and further AMDs may be
needed to capture timing of wind shifts through the evening.
Otherwise, winds will settle into a north to northwest component
under 10 kts overnight and increase from the southeast at both
terminals on Sun with another round of showers and thunderstorms
during the late afternoon and evening.

Thunderstorms will be possible to the north of KALS but are
less likely to impact the terminals. North winds will spread
into KALS between 00-01z from decaying thunderstorm outflows
with speeds around 10-15 kts.  Clearing skies and light winds
will return by 06z. -KT

&&

.PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flash Flood Watch until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ079-080-
086.
Flash Flood Watch from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening
for COZ079-080-086.
Flood Watch until 10 PM MDT this evening for COZ081-082-084-
085-087>089-093>098.

&&

SHORT TERM...KT
LONG TERM...KT
AVIATION...KT

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1134 AM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-161745-
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-
1134 AM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms will develop
across most of southern Colorado today and tonight. Thunderstorms
will initiate across the higher terrain, and spread eastward
across the Plains by late afternoon into the early overnight hours.
Thunderstorms will be efficient rain producers, and flash
flooding will be possible, especially on burn scars, urban areas
or over locations with saturated soil conditions from recent heavy
rains. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the Aspen Acres burn
scar and most of the southeast plains. As storms spread east into
the Plains, a few may become strong to severe, with hail to one
inch in diameter and wind gusts in excess of 60 mph. The risk for
severe thunderstorms will be greatest between 2 PM and 10 PM
today.

Showers and thunderstorms will linger into the overnight hours
across northern portions of the southeast plains with locally
heavy rainfall and lightning possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Thunderstorms will be possible across southern Colorado Sunday and
Monday. Locally heavy rainfall will accompany thunderstorms, with
a continued flash flood risk, especially on area burn scars. As
storms move into the Plains, a couple may become strong to severe
with hail near 1 inch in diameter and wind gusts near 60 mph. The
greatest risk appears on Sunday, with a more limited potential for
severe storms on Monday.

High pressure builds across the west for mid to late week with
drier and hotter temperatures. More isolated shower and
thunderstorm activity is possible Tuesday through Friday, with
lightning and outflow wind gusts the main storm risks.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

31/31

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1224 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

COZ074-087-088-151900-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO-
Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Ft CO-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
1224 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL HUERFANO AND WEST
CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTIES THROUGH 100 PM MDT...

At 1224 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Spanish Peaks, or 24 miles northwest of Trinidad, moving northeast at
20 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...
Aguilar.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3736 10487 3741 10491 3760 10474 3738 10452
TIME...MOT...LOC 1824Z 242DEG 16KT 3741 10484

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

KTS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1242 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

COZ060-062-065-069-072-073-077-151915-
Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Ft CO-
Central Chaffee County Below 9000 Ft CO-
Saguache County East of Continental Divide below 10000 Ft CO-
Del Norte Vicinity/Northern San Luis Valley Below 8500 Ft CO-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 8500 And 11000 Ft CO-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains above 11000 Ft CO-
Eastern Sawatch Mountains above 11000 Ft CO-
1242 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN CHAFFEE...WESTERN
FREMONT AND NORTHEASTERN SAGUACHE COUNTIES THROUGH 115 PM MDT...

At 1241 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bonanza, or 47 miles east of Gunnison, moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph, heavy rain 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...
Travelers on Highway 285 into Poncha Pass.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3832 10612 3840 10616 3850 10600 3845 10594
      3836 10591
TIME...MOT...LOC 1841Z 240DEG 12KT 3839 10608

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

mw

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1251 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

COZ074-088-151915-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
1251 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
THROUGH 115 PM MDT...

At 1251 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Segundo, or 20 miles west of Trinidad, moving northeast 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...
Cokedale, Segundo, Boncarbo, and Weston.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3706 10492 3711 10496 3728 10475 3709 10457
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 245DEG 12KT 3711 10486

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

KTS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
121 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

COZ062-063-065-069-072-073-076-077-152000-
Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Ft CO-
Central Chaffee County Below 9000 Ft CO-
Saguache County East of Continental Divide below 10000 Ft CO-
Del Norte Vicinity/Northern San Luis Valley Below 8500 Ft CO-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 8500 And 11000 Ft CO-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains above 11000 Ft CO-
Northwestern Fremont County  Above 8500Ft CO-
Western Mosquito Range/East Chaffee County above 9000Ft CO-
121 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CHAFFEE...
NORTHWESTERN FREMONT AND NORTH CENTRAL SAGUACHE COUNTIES THROUGH 200
PM MDT...

At 120 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Swissvale, or 53 miles east of Gunnison, moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Heavy rain, wind gusts up to 45 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...
Swissvale, Howard, and Waugh Mountain.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3830 10599 3840 10607 3868 10585 3863 10569
      3844 10558
TIME...MOT...LOC 1920Z 233DEG 23KT 3843 10594

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

mw