Hail, El Paso
- When
- July 21, 3:02 PM MST to 3:03 PM MST
- Where
- El Paso County, 3.2 mi NNW of Schriever Afb
- Measured
- 1.25 in hail
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 38.840, -104.550
Half-dollar size hail reported.
Flash Flooding and Hail in Colorado, July 21 to 23, 2019
Slow moving storms coming out of the high terrain of the Rampart Range and the Wet Mountains produced very heavy rainfall on the evening of Jul 21st. 0 inches of rain were reported across the hardest hit areas, Monument, and Beulah.
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
- 11
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.
Slow moving storms coming out of the high terrain of the Rampart Range and the Wet Mountains produced very heavy rainfall on the evening of Jul 21st. Several reports of over 1.5 to 3.0 inches of rain were reported across the hardest hit areas, Monument, and Beulah. Roads were closed in Custer County as the old Beulah burn scar helped produce flash flooding and debris flows across area roadways.
One of the storms became severe over eastern El Paso County producing half dollar size hail near Schreiver AFB.
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 Jul 21, 2:17 PM MST, 45 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 2:17 PM MST, 45 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 317 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Monday) Issued at 314 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 Currently... Upper air analysis and water vapor imagery shows a broadening upper ridge centered near the Four Corners region. No disturbances are discernible within the weak westerly to northwesterly flow over Colorado. Moisture is seen beginning to wrap around the western part of the ridge, but TPW is still only 50%-75% of normal over the Continental Divide. Further east, easterly to southeasterly flow maintains moist air over the plains and eastern slopes of the eastern mountains, with surface dew points in the 60s and TPW 100%- 125% of normal. MLCAPE is in the 500-1500 j/kg range across the plains, while EBSHEAR is generally less than 30 knots considering weak flow aloft. Cu have formed over most mountain areas, with weak thunderstorms present over the Pikes Peak region and the far southern Sangres. Temperatures are notably cooler, with 80s observed over the plains and high valleys. Tonight... Thunderstorms will continue to develop and expand in coverage this evening, with the best coverage expected over the eastern mountains and I-25 corridor. Storm coverage and strength will be less further west due to a lack of moisture, shear, and instability. Over the far eastern plains, storm coverage will be less due to a lack of large scale forcing and steering flow to move storms into the area. Storm development over the I-25 corridor will be driven by outflow boundaries emanating from western storms and easterly upslope surface flow. Weak westerly mid level flow may also be capable of steering storms east slowly. Heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding will be the main threat with storms developing today considering anomalously high moisture. Therefore, burn scars and urban areas will be at threat for flash flooding. The Flash Flood Watch for the Spring, Hayden Pass, and Junkins scars remains in effect until 3 AM. While CAPE will be favorable for strong updrafts, weak shear will limit the severe threat. Still, there is the potential for isolated hail to the size of 1" in diameter, as well as winds gusting to 60 mph. SPC maintains a marginal risk for severe over much of the eastern mountains and the I-25 corridor. The wind threat does not look as good as yesterday, however, given cooler surface temperatures and resulting weaker low level lapse rates. Latest hi-res guidance indicates widespread storm coverage across the eastern plains and I-25 corridor after 6 PM, with storms lasting through early morning and dissipating thereafter. The severe threat will wane considerably after 9 PM as the atmosphere stabilizes. Overnight lows will be around 60 across the plains, and span the 40s and 50s in the high valleys. Tomorrow... The ridge of high pressure continues to build over the Four Corners region, increasing mid to upper level moisture into Colorado, bringing TPW to near or above normal levels across the whole forecast area. Moist easterly flow continues at the surface across the plains, maintaining dew points at least in the mid 50s. Scattered to widespread thunderstorms are expected to develop over all of the high terrain during the early afternoon, lasting through the early evening. With the ridge amplifying, flow over Colorado will become weaker and more northerly. Therefore, it appears even less likely that storms will advance too far east onto the lower elevations. Outflow boundaries could initiate isolated to scattered storms over the I-25 corridor, but coverage further east will likely remain isolated at best. CAPE should be enough to support strong updrafts, but very weak shear under weak upper flow will negate severe chances. High levels of atmospheric moisture means locally heavy rainfall and burn scar flash flooding will be the primary threats with these storms, once again. Temperatures will be at their low point tomorrow, with highs expected to only be around 80 across the plains and high valleys. Enjoy! .LONG TERM...(Monday night through Sunday) Issued at 314 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 An upper level ridge will be centered near the Four Corners Tue and Wed, and then the center is forecast to shift southward. On Tue and Wed, showers/tstms are expected to mainly be found over the mtns and high valleys. Temps on Tue will be below average, with highs in the 80s over the plains, and in the upper 70s to lower 80s in the high valleys. Highs on Wed will be warmer and closer to average, with readings in the upper 80s and lower 90s across the plains, and in the lower and mid 80s in the high valleys. Thu temps look similar to those on Wed, and showers/tstms should mostly affect areas from around the I-25 corridor and westward. Fri and Sat the upper ridge center is expected to move into southern AZ, and then shifts into southern CA by Sun. A tap of moisture from the south is expected to be streaming over CO on Fri and Sat, with good chances for precip over the mtns and high valleys to continue, with precip moving across the plains in the evening. Also, a passing disturbance to the north on Sat could help push storm over the plains in the evening. Sun looks a little drier, especially over the mtns and high valleys, while a dry line may set up over the far southeast plains. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday evening) Issued at 314 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 Periodic showers and thunderstorms are expected tonight through 09Z over and near KCOS and KPUB. Storms will be capable of producing brief heavy rainfall which could temporarily reduce conditions to MVFR. Gusty and erratic winds will also be possible under and near thunderstorms. Showers and thunderstorms will be less likely at KALS, with only vicinity coverage expected. Thunderstorms will develop over the mountains again tomorrow afternoon, but chances over KCOS and KPUB will be less. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected at the TAF sites with winds less than 15 knots. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch until 3 AM MDT Monday for COZ072>075-079-080- 087. && SHORT TERM...LINE LONG TERM...28 AVIATION...LINE
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 21, 10:11 AM MST, 4 hours 51 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1111 AM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 COZ058>089-093>099-221715- 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- 1111 AM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon through tonight across the southeast mountains and adjacent plains. The main threat with thunderstorms today will be locally heavy rainfall with the potential to cause flash flooding, especially for susceptible burn scars such as Junkins, Spring and Hayden Pass. A Flash Flood Watch has been posted for this afternoon through late tonight for these more susceptible burn scars. Other locations which received heavy rainfall yesterday will also be prone to more localized flash flooding should they receive additional heavy rainfall this afternoon or tonight. One or two thunderstorms across the southeast mountains and plains could become severe this afternoon and evening with the potential to produce hail up to the size of half dollars, wind gusts up to 70 mph and lightning. Isolated thunderstorms will be possible across the western mountains today where gusty winds and lightning will be the primary storm threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Isolated to numerous primarily afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms, favoring higher terrain locations, will be possible each day from Monday into Saturday. The primary threats with thunderstorms will be locally heavy rainfall, lightning, and wind gusts around 50 mph. There will also be a risk for flash flooding on recent burn scars such as Spring, Junkins and Hayden Pass. Finally, any stronger storms will be capable of generating hail to around the size of nickels. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be possible across the southeast mountains and plains this afternoon and tonight. 12/12
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 21, 1:44 PM MST, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 244 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 COZ084-085-212115- 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- 244 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL EL PASO COUNTY UNTIL 315 PM MDT... At 243 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over southeastern Colorado Springs, moving south at 10 mph. Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Southeastern Colorado Springs, Fountain, Schriever AFB, Peterson AFB, Security-Widefield and Cimarron Hills. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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 3887 10473 3892 10454 3872 10439 3864 10471 TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 341DEG 7KT 3883 10462 29
Special weather statement, Jul 21, 1:50 PM MST, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 250 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 COZ074-087-088-212115- 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- 250 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN HUERFANO AND WEST CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM MDT... At 249 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles south of Walsenburg, or 17 miles east of Indian Creek on the southeastern Spring Brun Scar, moving northeast at 5 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Walsenburg, Aguilar and Gulnare. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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 3733 10475 3751 10497 3772 10479 3747 10449 TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 225DEG 6KT 3749 10480 29
Special weather statement, Jul 21, 2:17 PM MST, 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 317 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 COZ084-085-212145- 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- 317 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL EL PASO COUNTY UNTIL 345 PM MDT... At 316 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over southeastern Colorado Springs. This storm was nearly stationary. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Colorado Springs, Fountain, Stratmoor, Schriever AFB, Fort Carson, Security, Peterson AFB, Security-Widefield and Cimarron Hills. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential 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 3888 10476 3890 10449 3863 10439 3860 10481 TIME...MOT...LOC 2116Z 351DEG 4KT 3883 10464 29
Special weather statement, Jul 21, 2:42 PM MST, 20 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 342 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 COZ085-086-212215- Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO- Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below 7400 Ft CO- 342 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL EL PASO AND NORTH CENTRAL PUEBLO COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM MDT... At 342 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Fountain, or 15 miles southeast of Colorado Springs, moving south at 20 mph. Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Fountain, Security-Widefield and Hanover. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3871 10475 3872 10455 3848 10444 3845 10479 TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 351DEG 16KT 3864 10465 29
Special weather statement, Jul 21, 2:44 PM MST, 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 344 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 COZ084-085-212215- 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- 344 PM MDT Sun Jul 21 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL EL PASO COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM MDT... At 344 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Schriever AFB, or 13 miles east of Colorado Springs, moving east at 10 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Southeastern Colorado Springs, Schriever AFB, Ellicott and Cimarron Hills. LAT...LON 3877 10469 3891 10470 3897 10438 3869 10434 TIME...MOT...LOC 2144Z 271DEG 10KT 3884 10457 29
Local storm report, Jul 21, 3:02 PM MST, 0 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
402 PM MDT SUN JUL 21 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0402 PM HAIL 3 NW SCHRIEVER AFB 38.84N 104.55W
07/21/2019 M1.25 INCH EL PASO CO TRAINED SPOTTER
&&The radar
The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 53 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:00 UTC.
Event by event
6 heavy rain, 3 flash flood, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Flash Flood, El Paso
- When
- July 21, 7:36 PM MST to 8:36 PM MST
- Where
- El Paso County, 1.28 mi ENE of Monument to 1.51 mi ENE of Monument
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 39.090, -104.860
At least 6 inches of water covering several roads in Monument.
Flash Flood, El Paso
- When
- July 21, 7:44 PM MST to 8:44 PM MST
- Where
- El Paso County, 6.04 mi ESE of (Aff)usaf Acdmy Colo to 6.08 mi ESE of (Aff)usaf Acdmy Colo
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 38.940, -104.770
Nearly 6 inches of running water encroaching on several roadways towards the medians.
Heavy Rain, El Paso
- When
- July 21, 7:46 PM MST to 8:46 PM MST
- Where
- El Paso County, 3.86 mi NE of Colorado Spgs
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 38.870, -104.770
Spotter reported 1.5 inches of rain fell within 30 minutes.
Flash Flood, Pueblo
- When
- July 21, 7:55 PM MST to 8:55 PM MST
- Where
- Pueblo County, 0.88 mi NW of Beulah to 0.63 mi NE of Beulah
- Cause
- Heavy Rain / Burn Area
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 38.090, -104.990
Emergency Management reports a few roads impacted and closed north of Beulah due to heavy rains and flash flooding. Northcreek Cutoff Rd is closed due to an area being washed out near a culvert.
Heavy Rain, Custer
- When
- July 21, 8:00 PM MST to 9:00 PM MST
- Where
- Custer County, 2.14 mi SSW of Wetmore
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 38.210, -105.100
Spotter reported over 1.5 inches of rain fell within an hour.
Heavy Rain, El Paso
- When
- July 21, 8:16 PM MST to 9:16 PM MST
- Where
- El Paso County, 2.69 mi W of Falcon
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 38.930, -104.670
Spotter reported 1.25 inches of rain fell within 45 minutes.
Heavy Rain, Pueblo
- When
- July 21, 8:54 PM MST to 9:54 PM MST
- Where
- Pueblo County, 0.69 mi S of Beulah
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 38.070, -104.980
Two inches of rain fell within 90 minutes over topping the rain gauge.
Heavy Rain, El Paso
- When
- July 21, 9:10 PM MST to 10:10 PM MST
- Where
- El Paso County, 3.81 mi NNW of Peterson Afb
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 38.880, -104.740
Nearly one inch of rain has fallen in less than an hour.
Heavy Rain, Pueblo
- When
- July 21, 9:48 PM MST to 10:48 PM MST
- Where
- Pueblo County, 0.69 mi S of Beulah
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 38.070, -104.980
Over 3 inches of rain fell within 90 minutes.
Hail, Teller
- When
- July 23, 4:55 PM MST to 4:56 PM MST
- Where
- Teller County, Divide
- Measured
- 1 in hail
- Reported by
- Amateur Radio
- Coordinates
- 38.940, -105.160
Quarter size hail reported by Pikes Peak ARES.
What these are
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
- Flash Flood
- Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
- Heavy Rain
- Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Heat in Arizona, July 21 to 26, 2019
- Flash Flooding in Ohio, July 21 to 22, 2019
- Damaging Wind and Lightning Strike in Florida, July 21, 2019
- Excessive Heat and Heat in Maryland, July 21, 2019
- Heat in Arizona, July 21, 2019
- Wildfire in Arizona, July 21 to 31, 2019
- Flash Flood and Flood in Missouri, July 21 to 22, 2019
- Flash Flooding in Mississippi, July 21, 2019
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, July 21, 2019
- Damaging Winds in Arizona, July 21, 2019
- Flash Flooding and Lightning Strike in Kentucky, July 21 to 22, 2019
- Lightning Strike in Georgia, July 21, 2019
More
Every storm in Colorado in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, July 2019
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: 848160, 848157, 848158, 848163, 848159, 848162, 848164, 848165, 848166, 848167, 848161.