A potent winter storm produced snow and high winds across in I-25 corridor and plains. Some of the higher reported wind gusts included: near 60 mph at Cheraw (Otero County) and Colorado Springs, Fountain, Truckton, Peterson AFB (El Paso County), 60 to 70 mph near Colorado City (Pueblo County), La Veta (Huerfano County), Thatcher and Hoehne (Las Animas County), Springfield (Baca County), Finally,…
Every event with a place to put it; 12 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS PUB wrote it up.
A potent winter storm produced snow and high winds across in I-25 corridor and plains. Some of the higher reported wind gusts included: near 60 mph at Cheraw (Otero County) and Colorado Springs, Fountain, Truckton, Peterson AFB (El Paso County), 60 to 70 mph near Colorado City (Pueblo County), La Veta (Huerfano County), Thatcher and Hoehne (Las Animas County), Springfield (Baca County), Finally, wind gusts of around 75 mph were observed near Campo (Baca County) and Blende (Pueblo County).
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Mar 23, 10:45 PM MST, 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1145 PM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017 .UPDATE... Issued at 800 PM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017 Updated for expiration of Red Flag Warning. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday) Issued at 247 PM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017 ...Intense Storm to Move through Southern Colorado Tonight and Friday... Still a slight chance for strong to sever storms over the far southeast corner early this evening. Watching that. Also, Red Flag Warning continues plains through the afternoon. Blizzard expected for northern El Paso County late tonight into Friday morning with a period of heavy, blowing snow and near zero visibilities. Winter Storm conditions for Teller County for the same period with a little bit less wind due to terrain blockage but still good amounts of snow. Snow and Blowing Snow Advisories elsewhere in the mountains and also along the southern I-25 corridor across Huerfano and Las Animas Counties for fairly light snow accumulations but some periods of blowing snow and poor visibilities for a spell late tonight and early Friday. High Valleys, including the San Luis Valley, could also see a little bet of wet snow overnight but accumulations should be pretty light. Elsewhere across the plains, below about 6000 feet, mostly just a good rain but also some brief wet snow possible late tonight and early Friday. Everything shifts east pretty quickly during the afternoon, with rain possibly mixed with wet snow at times, lingering into the mid afternoon hours over the far eastern plains. Other major weather happening late tonight and tomorrow will be the wind across the plains. Very strong sustained winds and gusts expected to develop in the wake of a strong cold front moving south late tonight and Friday. Widespread 40 mph winds gusting over 65 mph possible just about everywhere over the east. Be prepared. All weather hazards should be winding down by the time Friday evening rolls around. That's it for the discussion today. Too many other products to worry about. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday) Issued at 247 PM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017 Models in decent agreement with an active weather pattern through the extended period. There is some disagreement in the finer details of storm tracks, but wet weather will be expected across Southern Colorado. Friday night through Saturday...the large upper level system over the region will continue to move east into the Missouri Valley with high pressure over Utah spreading into Colorado. Gusty winds will subside Friday evening as the gradient eases across the Plains. Overnight lows will fall into the upper 20s to lower 30s across the Plains, so protective measures may be needed for plants. High pressure aloft will transit the region on Saturday and move into the Central Plains by the afternoon. Highs will warm into the 60s over the lower elevation. The next upper level storm system will begin to move into the Continental Divide by late afternoon and persist through Saturday night. Snow will be confined to elevations above 9 kft through Sunday morning. Sunday...a quick moving shortwave trough is forecast to move across Colorado on Sunday. A cold front will arrive early in the day with northerly winds developing across the Plains. Models in good agreement with an band of precipitation dropping south off the Palmer Divide and down the I-25 corridor during the morning and early afternoon. At this time, snow looks to remain confined to elevations above 7 kft, with rain expected in the lower elevations. This quick moving system will transition east into the Central Plains by Sunday night with dry conditions by Monday morning as the next upper ridge moves out of Utah. Monday...the next upper ridge will move across Colorado on Monday with dry conditions expected to prevail. Afternoon highs will rise into the lower 60s across the Plains. Tuesday through Thursday...the next upper level storm system is forecast to dig down the west coast into the Desert Southwest mid week. Prolonged moist southerly flow along with several embedded disturbances will lead to periods of higher elevation snowfall and lower elevation rain through this time frame. The GFS and ensembles are taking this upper system along the U.S.-Mexican border while the ECMWF is quite a bit further north. Precipitation chances will highly depend on how this upper system tracks across the region. Mozley && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night) Issued at 1145 PM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017 Strong cold front continues to push south across the eastern plains with strong northerly winds of 30-40kts gusting to 60kts expected at COS and PUB for the rest of the night through mid morning Friday, before diminishing through the afternoon. Echoes starting to fill in across El Paso County and will see MVFR and local IFR conditions in rain and mixed snow showers at COS through the morning hours with precipitation diminishing through the late morning. Could see slushy accumulations of around 1 inch at the terminal, with rain/snow line between 6000-7000ft. Could see rain showers at PUB through the early morning hours, with precipitation chances diminishing through the mid to late morning hours. MVFR and IFR conditions in snow showers remain possible a ALS through the early morning hours, with up to an inch of slushy accumulations possible at the terminal. VFR conditions and generally light northerly winds expected at all terminals by 00Z Sat. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning from 3 AM to 5 PM MDT Friday for COZ087-088- 093>099. High Wind Warning until 5 PM MDT Friday for COZ085-086-089. Winter Weather Advisory until noon MDT Friday for COZ079-080-085- 087-088-094. Winter Weather Advisory until 9 AM MDT Friday for COZ058-060-066- 068. Winter Weather Advisory until noon MDT Friday for COZ072>075. Winter Storm Warning until noon MDT Friday for COZ081-082. Blizzard Warning until noon MDT Friday for COZ084. && UPDATE...28 SHORT TERM...LW LONG TERM...MOZLEY AVIATION...MW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1104 PM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017 COZ058>089-093>099-250515- Western Mosquito Range/East Lake County Above 11000 Ft- Leadville Vicinity/Lake County Below 11000 Ft- Eastern Sawatch Mountains above 11000 Ft- Western Chaffee County Between 9000 and 11000 Ft- Central Chaffee County Below 9000 Ft- Western Mosquito Range/East Chaffee County above 9000Ft- Saguache County West of Continental Divide Below 10000 Ft- Saguache County East of Continental Divide below 10000 Ft- La Garita Mountains Above 10000 Ft- Upper Rio Grande Valley/Eastern San Juan Mountains Below 10000 Ft- Eastern San Juan Mountains Above 10000 Ft- Del Norte Vicinity/Northern San Luis Valley Below 8500 Ft- Alamosa Vicinity/Central San Luis Valley Below 8500 Ft- Southern San Luis Valley- Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 8500 And 11000 Ft- Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains above 11000 Ft- Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft- Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Ft- Northwestern Fremont County Above 8500Ft- Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Ft- Wet Mountain Valley Below 8500 Ft- Wet Mountains between 6300 and 10000Ft- Wet Mountains above 10000 Ft- Teller County/Rampart Range above 7500fT/Pike's Peak Between 7500 And 11000 Ft-Pikes Peak above 11000 Ft- Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County- Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below 7500 Ft- Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below 7400 Ft-Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet- Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Ft- Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft- 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- 1104 PM MDT Thu Mar 23 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...Tonight Snow will continue along the Continental Divide tonight through Friday morning. Gusty winds will produce areas of blowing snow and difficult travel conditions over high mountain passes. A strong cold front will continue dropping south through the plains tonight and into Friday morning. Very strong northerly winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts exceeding 65 mph are likely. These winds will produce hazardous travel conditions on east to west highways, especially for high profile vehicles. In addition, winds may take down power lines and trees, knock out power and cause property damage. Snow will be found over the Palmer Divide tonight with blizzard conditions expected through the morning commute. The very strong winds will produce poor visibilities, snow covered roads and difficult travel along Interstate 25 over Monument Hill and Highway 24 between Colorado Springs and Limon. In addition, the strong winds, and heavy wet nature of the snowfall may produce power outages and cause tree damage where spring leafing has occurred. There is less confidence in snow accumulations over southern El Paso County where the rain and snow line will exist. Current thinking is that snow will likely remain above 6000 feet over Colorado Springs, with a tight gradient of snow, from none on the south end of the city, to around 5 or 6 inches on the north end. Snow is also expected over the Eastern Mountains and Raton Ridge areas including the southern Interstate 25 corridor late tonight into Friday morning. Mountain areas will likely see 4 to 8 inches of snowfall, while the lower elevations of the Raton may see 1 to 3 inches. Snow in this area will depend on the rain snow line as well, with confidence not as high in how much will fall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Blizzard conditions will continue across northern El Paso county Friday morning. Travel across northern El Paso county will likely be difficult at best due to the heavy, wet, wind-driven snow. Winds gusts of 50 to 65 mph will be possible. The overall strongest winds and heaviest snow will subside through the late morning hours into the early afternoon. Periods of heavy snow will be possible Friday morning across all of the southern mountains, including the Wet Mountain Valley, the Wet Mountains and Sangre de Cristo mountains. The heaviest snow will occur above 7000 feet, with less snowfall over the Raton region. Damaging winds, with gusts to 65 to 70 mph, will be possible across all of the southeast plains on Friday. The winds will decrease slowly from west to east during the late afternoon. Another Pacific storm will affect all of the region Saturday night into Sunday. This system may bring accumulating snow to the mountains, and some light accumulations to the higher elevations of the plains, especially areas above 6500 feet. A third storm may affect the region midweek. There is still quite a bit of disagreement on the storm track occuring to the computer simulations. However, there is a chance of significant accumulating snow for the mountains and possibly the higher elevations of the plains during the midweek time period. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be likely across much of south central and southeast Colorado tonight. 28/28
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
625 PM MDT THU MAR 23 2017
COZ098-099-240115-
Springfield Vicinity/Baca County CO-Lamar Vicinity/Prowers County CO-
625 PM MDT THU MAR 23 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN PROWERS AND
NORTHEASTERN BACA COUNTIES UNTIL 715 PM MDT...
At 624 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Two Buttes, or 19 miles northwest of The Saunders Elevator, moving
northeast at 55 mph.
Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Holly, Two Buttes and Two Buttes Reservoir.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle. Lightning may also lead to
wildfires due to the persistent dry conditions. Report all fire
starts to local law enforcement.
&&
LAT...LON 3738 10238 3762 10258 3824 10206 3820 10204
3759 10204
TIME...MOT...LOC 0024Z 210DEG 47KT 3761 10235
kamSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 810 PM MDT THU MAR 23 2017 COZ099-240230- Springfield Vicinity/Baca County CO- 810 PM MDT THU MAR 23 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN BACA COUNTY UNTIL 830 PM MDT... At 809 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11 miles northwest of Elkhart, moving north at 80 mph. Dime size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Baca County. LAT...LON 3699 10212 3707 10218 3715 10204 3700 10204 TIME...MOT...LOC 0209Z 196DEG 71KT 3710 10206 28
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1102 PM MDT THU MAR 23 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1055 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 4 NE BLENDE 38.28N 104.52W
03/23/2017 M61 MPH PUEBLO CO OFFICIAL NWS OBS
.
1040 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 S PETERSON AFB 38.80N 104.70W
03/23/2017 M65 MPH EL PASO CO ASOS
.
&&
NWS PUEBLO CO
IRIS SYSTEMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1103 PM MDT THU MAR 23 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1058 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 W FOUNTAIN 38.68N 104.76W
03/23/2017 M68 MPH EL PASO CO AWOS
.
&&
NWS PUEBLO CO
IRIS SYSTEMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1107 PM MDT THU MAR 23 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1102 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 5 NE BLENDE 38.29N 104.50W
03/23/2017 M67 MPH PUEBLO CO OFFICIAL NWS OBS
.
&&
NWS PUEBLO CO
IRIS SYSTEMThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
12 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, March 2017
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 683882, 683883, 683887, 683884, 683886, 683888, 683893, 683894, 683895, 683896, 683897, 683898.