Hail, Las Animas
- When
- September 17, 2:51 PM MST to 2:56 PM MST
- Where
- Las Animas County, 4.78 mi SE of Ville Green
- Measured
- 1.5 in hail
- Reported by
- Storm Chaser
- Coordinates
- 37.250, -103.460
Hail in Colorado, September 17, 2017
A severe storm produced hail up to ping pong ball size.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 1
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.
What happened
The episode as NWS PUB wrote it up.
A severe storm produced hail up to ping pong ball size.
What forecasters said that day
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 Sep 17, 2:18 PM MST, 33 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 17, 2:18 PM MST, 33 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 318 PM MDT Sun Sep 17 2017 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Monday) Issued at 318 PM MDT Sun Sep 17 2017 Will keep discussion brief due to ongoing active meteorological conditions with near-short range meteorological issues continuing to be temperatures, pops and thunderstorm intensity potential. CWFA currently experiencing areas of showers and thunderstorms, with some stronger storms over southern sections in combination with afternoon temperatures running below mid-September climatological averages. Latest PV analysis, real-time data, computer simulations and forecast model soundings indicate that relatively active meteorological conditions will continue into this evening(with some stronger to possibly marginally severe storms possible over primarily southern and southeastern sections of the forecast district as evidenced by Severe Thunderstorm Watch #486 which is in effect until 10 PM MDT). In addition, minimum temperatures tonight are projected to run near to slightly above mid-September seasonal averages. For Monday, expect generally tranquil, dry and warmer conditions over the forecast district as dry zonal to southwesterly upper flow develops over the forecast district, which will allow maximum temperatures to climb above seasonal averages by Monday afternoon. .LONG TERM...(Monday night through Sunday) Issued at 318 PM MDT Sun Sep 17 2017 Monday night-Tuesday...Westerly flow increases across the region Monday night and Tuesday, as another embedded wave translates across the Northern Rockies. Increasing westerly flow will lead to a breezy to windy conditions across the higher terrain, with the downslope flow developing lee troughing across the I-25 corridor, leading to breezy conditions developing overnight along and west of I-25. Lee trough kicks out across the eastern plains through the day Tuesday, with breezy south to southwest winds of 15 to 30 mph expected across the lower elevations Tuesday afternoon. This, along with dry and above seasonal temperatures in the 80s to lower 90s, will lead to elevated fire danger on Tuesday, and depending on fuel status, may need fire weather highlights for portions of the area. Tuesday night-Thursday...Westerly flow aloft moderates through Wednesday with southwest flow aloft expected to slowly increase once again on Thursday, ahead of a deep upper trough digging into the Great Basin. Passing Northern Rockies system sends a dry cold front across the eastern Plains Tuesday night, with slightly cooler temperatures expected on Wedensday. Dry weather and warming temperatures expected on Thursday, with high back to above seasonal levels. Friday-Sunday...A cooler and more unsettled weather pattern takes shape across the area, with longer range models continuing to differ on timing and strength of the upper trough/low digging into the Great Basin on Friday, and its ejection across the Rockies through the weekend. Although this remains well into the future, the pattern supports the potential for severe weather across the eastern Plains early in the period, along with the potential for higher elevation snowfall and cooler temperatures area wide later in weekend. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday evening) Issued at 318 PM MDT Sun Sep 17 2017 From this afternoon into this evening the KCOS, KPUB and KALS taf sites have the potential of experiencing showers or thunderstorms with meteorological conditions then expected to improve after midnight with VFR conditions becoming prominent on Monday. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...77 LONG TERM...MW AVIATION...77
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 17, 10:13 AM MST, 4 hours 38 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1113 AM MDT Sun Sep 17 2017 COZ058>089-093>099-181715- 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- 1113 AM MDT Sun Sep 17 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Scattered thunderstorms are expected over the mountains and high valley locations this afternoon and evening, with isolated to scattered thunderstorms over the southeast plains into the late night hours. There will be the possibility of severe storms, mainly over southern Pueblo, southern Otero, Huerfano and Las Animas counties. These areas could see hail an inch in diameter or larger, and wind gusts around 60 mph. However, an isolated brief tornado cannot be ruled out. All storms will have the threat of lightning and gusty outflow winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday On Tuesday and Thursday, fire danger will be elevated over much of the area as gusty winds and low humidities combine to produce near critical fire weather conditions. Friday and Saturday, an early fall storm system will move into the region from the Pacific Northwest. This system could bring strong thunderstorms to the plains on Friday and some snow to the mountains by Saturday. Additionally, temperatures could drop to near freezing in the mountains Saturday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be possible this afternoon and evening, especially over southern Pueblo, southern Otero, Huerfano and Las Animas counties.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Sep 17, 12:30 PM MST, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 130 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017 COZ074-087-088-172000- 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- 130 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN HUERFANO AND WEST CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTIES UNTIL 200 PM MDT... At 130 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Gulnare, or 21 miles northwest of Trinidad, moving northeast at 35 mph. Dime size hail, wind gusts up to 50 mph brief heavy rain will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Walsenburg, Aguilar and Gulnare. 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. && LAT...LON 3726 10480 3732 10493 3767 10475 3754 10446 TIME...MOT...LOC 1930Z 211DEG 40KT 3737 10479 mw
Special weather statement, Sep 17, 12:35 PM MST, 2 hours 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
135 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017
COZ074-088-172100-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
135 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
UNTIL 300 PM MDT...
At 134 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a developing strong
thunderstorm 10 miles southwest of Segundo, or 24 miles southwest of
Trinidad, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Dime size hail and wind gusts around 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Trinidad, Cokedale, Starkville, Boncarbo, Segundo, Hoehne and Weston.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3704 10506 3749 10451 3714 10410 3699 10462
3699 10502
TIME...MOT...LOC 1934Z 236DEG 20KT 3702 10491Special weather statement, Sep 17, 12:54 PM MST, 1 hour 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 154 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017 COZ067-068-071-074-075-172130- Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO- Southern San Luis Valley CO- Eastern San Juan Mountains Above 10000 Ft CO- Upper Rio Grande Valley/Eastern San Juan Mountains Below 10000 Ft CO- Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Ft CO- 154 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017 ...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT... At 153 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a developing strong thunderstorm 11 miles northeast of Chama, moving east-northeast at 30 mph. Half inch hail and winds around 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Manassa, Sanford, La Jara, Antonito, San Luis, Romeo, Jaroso, San Pablo, Sanchez Reservoir, Mesita, San Acacio, Fort Garland, Conejos, Cumbres Pass, Bountiful, Ortiz, Chama and Garcia. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. 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. && LAT...LON 3699 10647 3708 10654 3745 10542 3700 10525 TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 248DEG 32KT 3700 10643
Special weather statement, Sep 17, 1:10 PM MST, 1 hour 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 210 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017 COZ074-088-172145- Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO- Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO- 210 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY UNTIL 345 PM MDT... At 208 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a developing strong thunderstorm near Cokedale, or 5 miles west of Trinidad, moving northeast at 25 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts around 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Trinidad, Cokedale, Starkville, Boncarbo, Model, Hoehne and Tyrone. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. 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. 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. && LAT...LON 3724 10473 3768 10406 3708 10406 3699 10454 TIME...MOT...LOC 2008Z 231DEG 22KT 3718 10462
Special weather statement, Sep 17, 2:25 PM MST, 26 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
325 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017
COZ094-172215-
Eastern Las Animas County CO-
325 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
UNTIL 415 PM MDT...
At 324 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 19
miles west of Kim, or 39 miles north of Des Moines, moving northeast
at 30 mph.
Nickel size hail, wind gusts up to 50 mph and brief heavy
rainfall will be possible with this storm.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern Las
Animas County.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3719 10371 3734 10385 3763 10356 3764 10317
3732 10312
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 234DEG 26KT 3732 10369
mwSpecial weather statement, Sep 17, 2:51 PM MST, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 351 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017 COZ074-088-172245- Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO- Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO- 351 PM MDT SUN SEP 17 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY UNTIL 445 PM MDT... At 350 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a developing strong thunderstorm near Segundo, or 13 miles southwest of Trinidad, moving northeast at 30 mph. Dime size hail and wind gusts around 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Trinidad, Cokedale, Starkville, Boncarbo, Model, Segundo, Hoehne, Tyrone and Raton Pass. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. 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. && LAT...LON 3717 10481 3753 10406 3700 10405 3699 10483 TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 239DEG 26KT 3708 10473
The radar
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
Event by event
1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
What these are
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Texas, September 17, 2017
- Damaging Wind in Oklahoma, September 17, 2017
- Damaging Winds in Oklahoma, September 17, 2017
- Frost and Freeze in Montana, September 17, 2017
- Hail in Texas, September 17, 2017
- Hail in Texas, September 17, 2017
- Damaging Wind in Colorado, September 17, 2017
- Hail in New Mexico, September 17, 2017
More
Every storm in Colorado in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, September 2017
Sources
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: 714751.