Scattered thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon and early evening time frame on this day, primarily affecting locations along the I-25 corridor. Hail was the main hazard observed this day, though burn scar flash flooding also occurred.
Every event with a place to put it. 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.
Scattered thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon and early evening time frame on this day, primarily affecting locations along the I-25 corridor. Hail was the main hazard observed this day, though burn scar flash flooding also occurred.
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 Aug 15, 2:02 PM MST, 28 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 302 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday) Issued at 249 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 Thunderstorms continue to percolate across the southern Sangre De Cristo range and Raton Mesa region this afternoon where a couple of strong to near severe storms have developed. Given light flow aloft within the ridge, deep layer shears are likely weaker for southern portions of our area. Still awaiting erosion of the cap across the plains though HRRR suggests convective development will occur along the Palmer and Raton Mesa late this afternoon into the evening. Stout MLCAPE of 1500 J/kg along the I-25 corridor increases to 2500+ J/kg near the eastern border this afternoon which would be supportive of a severe thunderstorm or two with large hail up to the size of golf balls and damaging winds. Deep layer shears should be a little stronger for northern and eastern portions of the plains with values around 25-35 kts. This area is also where thunderstorm develop may be more conditional. So still lots of uncertainty on how this will play out. Lots of potential but high res models continue to show storm coverage will be more isolated with lack of strong forcing. If storms can maintain, they may form a cluster or two as they move into KS this evening and encounter a strengthening low level jet. For now have maintained isolated to scattered pops across the southern mountains and southeast plains. For Sunday, another round thunderstorms will develop across the southeast mountains and plains. Dew points look a little lower, though cap may be more easily broken given more surface based heating. One or two strong to severe storms will be possible and will have to watch the burn scars in the southeast mountains for another round of potential flash flooding. As for smokey hazy skies...experimental HRRR keeps the haze and smoke around for another day and have included this in the grids. -KT .LONG TERM...(Sunday night through Saturday) Issued at 249 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 There are only minor changes from the previous forecasts as the upper-level ridge of high pressure is expected to stay centered over the Great Basin region through the upcoming week. Sunday night...Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to be ongoing over the region into the overnight hours, with some guidance indicating that precipitation could linger into early Monday morning near the Kansas border. A strong to marginally severe thunderstorm remains possible over the far eastern plains into the evening hours, but that risk diminishes after sunset. Monday through Saturday...The ridge of high pressure over the Great Basin remains relatively in the same location through the period, keeping us in north to northwest flow aloft. However, the ridge is expected to edge slightly southward midweek. Guidance then has the ridge potentially flattening somewhat late week, but there is some uncertainty in how much the ridge flattens if at all, which is the main change in the latest guidance for the long-term forecast. This flattening will depend on whether a trough moving through southern Canada ends up being far enough south to affect the ridge over the western U.S. For sensible weather, daily chances for isolated to scattered PM showers and thunderstorms are anticipated through the forecast period. The higher terrain has the better chance to see precipitation each day with mainly isolated storms over the lower elevations. However, Monday does look to be mainly dry across the plains. If the Canadian trough does take a little more of a southerly track, the plains will likely have a better chance of precipitation Thursday afternoon and evening than the rest of the forecast period. High temperatures are expected to remain relatively similar through the week with the plains seeing highs in the upper 80s to mid 90s and mid 80s to around 90 in the high valleys. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening) Issued at 249 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 Isolated thunderstorms will be possible at the TAF sites though very spotty coverage will keep mention of VCTS out of KPUB and KALS. KCOS stands the best chance for VCTS. If storms do develop, large hail and erratic gusty winds will be possible. Thunderstorms will diminish or move east of the TAF sites by 02z with light winds and hazy skies overnight. Some patchy MVFR clouds may develop over KCOS and KPUB but northerly winds off the Palmer Divide may keep a firm ceiling from developing. Another round of thunderstorms will develop over the mountains and drift off into the adjacent plains on Sunday. Winds will generally be diurnally driven with speeds under 15 kts except near afternoon thunderstorms. -KT && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...KT LONG TERM...CARLBERG AVIATION...KT
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1102 AM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 COZ058>089-093>099-161715- 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- 1102 AM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible over the I-25 corridor and eastern plains this afternoon and evening. The main storm risks will be hail up to the size of golf balls, and wind gusts up to 70 mph. An isolated tornado or landspout will also be possible. Thunderstorms will also be capable of producing locally heavy rainfall, which could cause flash flooding on burn scars should they be directly impacted. The Spring, Junkins, and Hayden Pass burn scars will be most at risk today. Isolated thunderstorms will be possible across the southwest mountains and San Luis Valley this afternoon and evening. These may produce gusty winds up to 45 mph, lightning, and spotty light rainfall amounts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms are expected across the mountains and eastern plains Sunday. One or two of the storms may become strong to severe, with the primary risks from these storms being lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph and hail up to one inch in diameter. For Monday through Friday, isolated to scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms will be mainly confined to the higher terrain. The primary risks with any storms will be lightning and gusty outflow winds, but a few of the stronger storms may also produce small hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be possible this afternoon and evening over the southeast mountains and plains. 31/29
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1226 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 COZ074-088-151900- Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO- Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO- 1226 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY UNTIL 100 PM MDT... At 1225 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Gulnare, or 16 miles northwest of Trinidad, moving southeast at 5 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Cokedale, Gulnare and Boncarbo. 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 3726 10490 3740 10476 3729 10449 3707 10470 TIME...MOT...LOC 1825Z 308DEG 6KT 3729 10477 Heavener
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1258 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 COZ074-088-151945- Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO- Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO- 1258 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY UNTIL 145 PM MDT... At 1258 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7 miles southeast of Stonewall, or 24 miles west of Trinidad, moving south at 10 mph. Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern Las Animas County. LAT...LON 3707 10500 3711 10488 3700 10473 3699 10497 TIME...MOT...LOC 1858Z 344DEG 7KT 3706 10494 Heavener
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
246 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020
COZ074-088-152115-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
246 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
UNTIL 315 PM MDT...
At 245 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Stonewall, or 20 miles southeast of the Spring Burn Scar, moving
southeast at 25 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Segundo, Stonewall and Weston.
LAT...LON 3721 10506 3730 10491 3710 10458 3699 10473
3699 10491
TIME...MOT...LOC 2045Z 319DEG 21KT 3719 10494
29Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 254 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 COZ094-152130- Eastern Las Animas County CO- 254 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY UNTIL 330 PM MDT... At 253 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12 miles north of Branson, or 29 miles north of Des Moines, moving northeast at 15 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Las Animas County. 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. 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 3707 10388 3723 10400 3742 10372 3719 10354 TIME...MOT...LOC 2053Z 237DEG 14KT 3719 10386 29
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 311 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 COZ074-087-088-152145- 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- 311 PM MDT Sat Aug 15 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN HUERFANO AND WEST CENTRAL LAS ANIMAS COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM MDT... At 310 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Aguilar, just west Interstate 25, moving southeast at 20 mph. Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Aguilar and Gulnare. 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 3751 10488 3759 10471 3739 10436 3722 10471 TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 323DEG 17KT 3747 10471 29
The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 140 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:29 UTC.
12 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Highway 12 was temporarily closed for a flash flood and minor debris flow off of the Spring burn scar.
Trained spotter reported large hail, 1 inch.
Storm chaser reported large hail, 1 inch.
Reported at Black Forest and Woodman, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Trained spotter reported large hail, 1 inch.
Trained spotter reported large hail, 1 inch.
Trained spotter reported large hail, 1 inch.
Report via picture on social media.
Report via picture on social media.
Trained spotter reported large hail, 1.25 inches.
Reported by observer at Colorado Springs Airport.
Trained spotter reported large hail, 1.5 inches.
Trained spotter reported large hail, 1.25 inches.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, August 2020
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: 919461, 919462, 919463, 919465, 919466, 919468, 919470, 919472, 919473, 919474, 919475, 919478, 919479.