Alert archive / Colorado / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 12, NWS Pueblo, CO

September 20, 2026El Paso County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this tornado warning at Sep 20, 2026, 9:21 PM MDT for El Paso County, Colorado. It was in force for 24 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
Sep 20, 2026, 9:21 PM MDT (03:21 UTC)
Expired
Sep 20, 2026, 9:45 PM MDT
In force
24 min
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
2.0 in

County El Paso County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 16 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:25 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 tornado 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
Sep 20, 9:01 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Grand Junction, CO (KGJT), launched 00:00Z, 3.4 hours before the alert went out and 379 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, Grand Junction, CO at 00:00Z on 2026-09-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Grand Junction, CO at 00:00Z on 2026-09-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -7 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2280 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-7 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
50 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

169 
WFUS55 KPUB 210321
TORPUB
COC041-210345-
/O.NEW.KPUB.TO.W.0012.260921T0321Z-260921T0345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
921 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern El Paso County in east central Colorado...

* Until 945 PM MDT.

* At 921 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 7 miles south of Truckton, or 29 miles northeast of
  Pueblo Airport, moving south at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  southeastern El Paso County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3865 10423 3866 10414 3853 10406 3853 10424
TIME...MOT...LOC 0321Z 357DEG 12KT 3863 10418 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

kam
1 follow-up statement
588 
WWUS55 KPUB 210342
SVSPUB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
942 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

COC041-210352-
/O.EXP.KPUB.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260921T0345Z/
El Paso CO-
942 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN EL PASO COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
945 PM MDT...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.  However,
small hail and gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM MDT for
east central Colorado.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Pueblo.

&&

LAT...LON 3865 10423 3866 10414 3853 10406 3853 10424
TIME...MOT...LOC 0342Z 357DEG 12KT 3856 10418 

$$

kam

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Sep 20, 5:20 PM MDT, 4 hours 1 minute earlier. Its key messages:

  • Strong to severe storms possible from late this afternoon and especially later this evening into the early Monday morning hours over the plains.
  • Unsettled weather from late Monday into late week, then drier and warmer for the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 20, 5:20 PM MDT, 4 hours 1 minute before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
520 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to severe storms possible from late this afternoon and
especially later this evening into the early Monday morning hours
over the plains.

- Unsettled weather from late Monday into late week, then drier
  and warmer for the weekend.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 350 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now in effect through 9 PM for
Kiowa and Prowers Counties. A supercell thunderstorm located
near Boyero will continue to drop southeast towards Kiowa and
Prowers counties this evening. Large hail 1.5 to 2 inches in
diameter, wind gusts in excess of 70 mph and an isolated tornado
threat will be possible with this storm. Elsewhere, the
forecast remains on track, with convection developing in the
9-11 PM time frame along the HWY 50 corridor. A couple could
become strong to severe with large hail and damaging winds.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 1230 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

Main concern in the short term will be the likelihood of strong to
severe storms affecting the plains from late this afternoon through
early tomorrow morning. An isolated severe threat will occur mainly
over northern El Paso county and possibly Kiowa county late this
afternoon into early evening. A more substantial threat will develop
form mid evening into early tomorrow morning over the plains as a
strong boundary pushes across the plains assisted by a short wave at
mid levels. 1000-2000 J/kg of CAPE and 40 knts of shear will be
sufficient for severe storm development as the upslope flow develops
after the front goes by. Large hail to 2", damaging winds of 60 mph
and and isolated tornado will be possible. There is also a low risk
of heavy rain developing over the Aspen Acres burn scar as the front
pushes into the mtns. There is some uncertainty if convection will
occur as the boundary hit the mtns/plains interface later this
evening.

Showers and storms will last into the overnight hours and locally
heavy rain will be possible over the far eastern plains during this
period. Showers will likely still be going after sunrise tomorrow
over the far eastern plains.

A brief reprieve in precip is expected tomorrow afternoon and early
evening, but another round of showers and storms develops tomorrow
evening over the mtns/plains interface extending over the eastern
plains. The storms are not expected to be strong tomorrow.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1230 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

From Tuesday into Wednesday, another round of moist southwest flow
will develop over the region, and this will bring another round of
showers and storms to the region, with most of the heavier showers
falling south of US highway 50. The overall best chance of more
widespread heavier precip will occur wednesday afternoon with a
heavier band of precip over the far eastern plains Wed evening.

Thursday and Friday will remain unsettled over the region with
scattered showers and thunderstorms expected during the two day
period.

For the weekend, it will be drier and warmer, with only isolated
showers and storms expected. Temps for the weekend will be in the
mid 80s plains and 70s valleys.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 518 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

KALS...VFR conditions through the next 24 hours.

KCOS and KPUB...expect showers and thunderstorms to fill in
behind a boundary mid this evening, with low CIGS and gusty
outflow winds the main concerns. Thunderstorm potential winds
down late tonight with low CIGS at both terminals near 2 kft
well into the morning hours. Improvements to CIGS are not
expected until Monday afternoon.

&&

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

&&

UPDATE...MOZLEY
SHORT TERM...HODANISH
LONG TERM...HODANISH
AVIATION...MOZLEY
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 20, 11:00 AM MDT, 10 hours 21 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1100 AM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

COZ058>089-093>099-211700-
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-
1100 AM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated to scattered strong to severe storms will be possible
from late this afternoon across norther El Paso county.

A greater threat for strong to severe storms will occur this
evening into the early morning hours of Monday across nearly all
of the plains, including the cities along the I-25 corridor, as a
strong frontal boundary surges across the plains. All severe
weather threats will be possible, including hail up to 2 inches
in diameter and wind gusts to 60 mph. An isolated tornado could
also occur, mainly from La Junta eastward to the Kansas border.

There is also a risk for flash flooding over the Aspen Acres burn
scar this evening, although the risk is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

The area will see a lull in activity during the day on Monday, with
daily showers and thunderstorms expected the rest of this week.
Precipitation will become more widespread thanks to returning
monsoon moisture, with the best focus over the Continental Divide
and the New Mexico border.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

34/34

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 20, 6:52 PM MDT, 2 hours 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
652 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

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

0504 PM     Hail             5 N Eads                38.55N 102.79W
09/20/2026  E2.75 Inch       Kiowa              CO   Public

            Report from mPING: Baseball (2.75 in.).

0633 PM     Hail             9 E Queens Reservoir    38.27N 102.47W
09/20/2026  E1.50 Inch       Kiowa              CO   Public

            Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50
            in.).

&&
Local storm report, Sep 20, 6:54 PM MDT, 2 hours 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
654 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

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

0610 PM     Hail             9 S Brandon             38.32N 102.43W
09/20/2026  M3.10 Inch       Kiowa              CO   Public

            Picture of measurement from social media.

&&

MG
Local storm report, Sep 20, 6:55 PM MDT, 2 hours 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
655 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

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

0626 PM     Hail             9 S Brandon             38.32N 102.43W
09/20/2026  M3.10 Inch       Kiowa              CO   Public

            Corrects previous hail report from 9 S
            Brandon. Picture of measurement from social
            media.

&&

MG
Local storm report, Sep 20, 7:18 PM MDT, 2 hours 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
718 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

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

0504 PM     Hail             5 N Eads                38.55N 102.79W
09/20/2026  E2.75 Inch       Kiowa              CO   Public

            Report from mPING: Baseball (2.75 in.).

0626 PM     Hail             9 S Brandon             38.32N 102.43W
09/20/2026  M3.10 Inch       Kiowa              CO   Public

            Corrects previous hail report from 9 S
            Brandon. Picture of measurement from social
            media.

0633 PM     Hail             9 E Queens Reservoir    38.27N 102.47W
09/20/2026  E1.50 Inch       Kiowa              CO   Public

            Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50
            in.).

&&
Special weather statement, Sep 20, 8:39 PM MDT, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
839 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

COZ084-085-210330-
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-
839 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN EL PASO COUNTY THROUGH
930 PM MDT...

At 839 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Yoder, or 29 miles east of Colorado Springs, moving southeast at 10
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...
Truckton, Yoder, Ellicott, and Rush.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3882 10405 3871 10405 3858 10423 3888 10448
      3902 10436
TIME...MOT...LOC 0239Z 317DEG 9KT 3882 10427

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

kam
Special weather statement, Sep 20, 9:09 PM MDT, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
909 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

COZ085-086-210345-
Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below
7400 Ft CO-
909 PM MDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL EL PASO AND NORTH
CENTRAL PUEBLO COUNTIES THROUGH 945 PM MDT...

At 909 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hanover, or 19 miles southeast of Colorado Springs, moving east at 15
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Fountain and Hanover.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM MDT for
southeastern and east central Colorado.

&&

LAT...LON 3861 10472 3875 10450 3861 10427 3840 10447
TIME...MOT...LOC 0309Z 287DEG 12KT 3865 10454

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

kam

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 20, 6:29 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPUBKiowa, Prowers46 min
Sep 20, 8:39 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso51 min
Sep 20, 8:53 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso37 min
Sep 20, 9:09 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso36 min
Sep 20, 9:23 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPUBEl Paso, Pueblo37 min
Sep 20, 9:39 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatPUBCrowley, El Paso, Pueblo51 min
Sep 20, 9:43 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBFremont, Pueblo32 min
Sep 20, 9:54 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso, Pueblo36 min
Sep 20, 10:12 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBFremont, Pueblo33 min
Sep 20, 10:20 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPUBBent, Crowley, Otero, Pueblo40 min
Sep 20, 10:23 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBPueblo37 min
Sep 20, 10:50 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBKiowa25 min
Sep 20, 10:51 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBPueblo39 min
Sep 20, 10:53 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBEl Paso52 min
Sep 20, 10:56 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPUBBent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero49 min
Sep 20, 11:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBKiowa50 min
Sep 20, 11:15 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBPueblo11 min
Sep 20, 11:30 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBPueblo30 min
Sep 20, 11:42 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCrowley48 min
Sep 20, 11:59 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBKiowa31 min
Sep 21, 12:27 AM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBOtero33 min
Sep 21, 1:02 AM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBent, Otero58 min
Sep 21, 2:02 AM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBProwers43 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Colorado, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.