A powerful upper-level disturbance moved through the Rockies on June 6, 2020, producing widespread damaging winds across southern Colorado.
Every event with a place to put it; 14 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 powerful upper-level disturbance moved through the Rockies on June 6, 2020, producing widespread damaging winds across southern Colorado.
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 Jun 6, 2:43 AM MST, 6 hours 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 343 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 342 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 ...Potentially Dangerous Weather Conditions Will Likely Affect the Region Today... An intense short wave trough will barrel through the region today. There are very strong winds associated with this system and there is sufficient moisture to allow for thunderstorms to develop, likewise rotating convection is likely today. The best forcing will occur in the mountains, so the highest potential for severe thunderstorm activity will be over the mountains, all of the valleys and possibly the I-25 corridor region, especially across El Paso county. The primary threat will be very strong surface winds, but isolated tornadoes will be possible. It needs to be emphasized that the greatest severe weather threat, including a tornado or two, will be in the mountains and valleys. Winds gusting to 60 to 100 mph cannot be ruled out, especially in the higher elevations of the mountains. CAPES in the mtns/valleys will be between 1000 - 1500 J/KG and deep shear will be 60 to 80 knts. SPC has our higher elevations in SLIGHT risk with hatched area for winds. There is a 2% TOR prob for the mtns and SLV. the slight risk also includes most of El Paso county. The overall best forcing will be located over the 4 corners around 18 UTC today (noon local), over the greater Salida/Pikes Peak region round 21 UTC (3 pm local) and into NE CO at 00 UTC (6 pm local). For the plains, the greatest threat will be fire weather. Although we may not technically verify Red Flag conditions (RH values will likely stay above 15% all of today), the combination of the strong winds (synoptically gusting to 60 mph, with stronger gusts in thunderstorm) and drought conditons warrant the Red Flag Warning. Cloud to ground lightning strikes will have the potential to cause new fire starts over all of the region today. Any new fire start will have the potential to rapidly spread. Significant amounts of blowing dust are likely today over the plains. The strongest storms on the plains will occur along the I-25 corridor (especially El Paso county), with the storms weakening as you go east. Given the synoptic situation, There is a good chance that either a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch will be issued for parts of the region by late morning or early afternoon. High winds warnings and Red Flag warnings are already in effect for parts of the region for today. \/Hodanish .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 342 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 ...Widespread Critical Fire Weather Conditions are Expected Sunday... Sunday...As the disturbance that affects us for Saturday continues to propagating into Canada, another upper-level trough is expected to translate from the Pacific Northwest into the Intermountain West region. As it does, increasing southwest flow aloft is expected to keep temperatures relatively hot and usher in much drier air. At the surface, strong south to southwesterly winds of 25-35 mph with gusts to around 50 mph are expected to develop by around midday and continue into the evening. The strong winds and very low relative humidities will create critical fire weather conditions for much of the area. Latest guidance continues to indicate a dryline will be set up near the Kansas border, but the dry air should penetrate far enough into the eastern most counties to warrant a Red Flag Warning. Therefore, have not made any changes to the current Red Flag Warning. Monday and Tuesday...The upper-level trough is expected to continue propagating eastward through Colorado and into the Great Plains by Tuesday evening. Strong south to southwesterly winds are expected once again Monday as the trough continues to approach the region, though guidance is indicating that the winds will not be quite as strong as Sunday. The trough is also expected to send a couple of cold fronts through the plains on Monday. The initial cold front is anticipated to propagate across the plains Monday morning, but uncertainty remains on just how far south this front will make it before stalling out as lee troughing develops over the southeastern plains. The front is anticipated to bring a chance for isolated showers to the Palmer Divide and central mountains through the day Monday. Additionally, the cold front should aid in keeping relative humidity values slightly higher across portions of the plains. A reinforcing front is expected to move through Monday night into Tuesday, which will bring gusty northerly winds, refreshingly cooler temperatures to the plains, and continued chances for isolated showers to the Palmer Divide and central mountains. In fact, it may become cold enough for a few snow showers across these areas Tuesday morning. Critical fire weather conditions are still expected for Monday, but with the uncertainty of just how far south the initial cold front propagates before it stalls out and the numerous weather hazards for Saturday and Sunday, will continue to hold off on issuing any highlights to avoid adding confusion to the already complicated mix. With the gusty north winds and drier air moving back in on Tuesday, there is potential for critical fire weather conditions once again. Wednesday through Friday...Ridging moves back into the area for the second half of the week, which is expected to bring an uptick in temperatures and lighter winds to south central and southeastern Colorado. An embedded weak disturbance brings a chance for precipitation to the area on Friday, mainly for the mountains and high valleys. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday morning) Issued at 342 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 Synoptic strong winds will occur today at all of the TAF sites. Severe thunderstorms, capable of producing damaging winds, will also be possible, with the greatest threat of damaging winds at KCOS and KALS. The thunderstorms activity will likely affect the KALS area during the early to mid afternoon time period, and the KCOS area after 21 UTC. Winds will decrease during the early evening hours. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning from noon today to 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ084>089-093>099. Red Flag Warning from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ226>237. Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 9 PM MDT Sunday for COZ220>222- 224>237. High Wind Warning from 10 AM this morning to 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ069>071. && SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...CARLBERG AVIATION...HODANISH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 608 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 COZ058>089-093>099-071215- 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- 608 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Severe thunderstorms are forecast to develop over all of the mountains, the valleys and the I-25 corridor region today. The greatest severe weather threat will be straight line winds gusting to 60 to 80 mph. However, in the mountains and valleys (especially the San Luis Valley), a tornado or two will be possible. The greatest risk of severe thunderstorms over the interior mountains and valleys will be between 11 AM and 4 PM today. The greatest risk for severe thunderstorms along the southern mountains and I-25 corridor will be between 3 pm and 7 PM. In addition to the severe thunderstorm threat, all of southeast and south central Colorado will see strong gusty winds occur most of today and early this evening. Winds gusting to 40 to 60 mph will be common. RED FLAG WARNINGS are in effect for all of the lower elevations today. Cloud to ground lightning strikes over the region today will have the potential to cause additional new fires over the area. If you see smoke, immediately call 911. Be prepared to evacuate quickly if a fire starts near your area, as the strong winds will cause any fire to spread rapidly. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Critical fire weather conditions are expected for most of south central and southeast Colorado on Sunday and Monday as windy conditions continue into early week. However, there is some uncertainty with the extent of critical fire weather conditions on Monday as a cold front could aid in raising relative humidity values above critical thresholds. Critical fire weather conditions will once again be possible Tuesday as gusty north winds and drier air move back into the region. Some light snow showers are possible over and near the Palmer Divide and central mountains Tuesday morning. Later in the week, isolated thunderstorms are possible on Friday, mainly for the mountains and high valleys. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be required today into early this evening. Activation may start as early as late morning and last into the evening. 34/29
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
14 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Automated Weather Observing System.
Automated Weather Observing System KCWN Cheyenne Mountain Air force Station.
Automated Surface Observing System station KSPD 8 miles south of Springfield.
Rampart sensor.
Mesonet station RDDC2 red creek.
Automated Weather Observing System station KCPW Wolf Creek Pass.
Automated Surface Observing System KALS Alamosa Airport.
Station 3CO4 4 miles south of Weston.
Trinidad airport.
Estimated gust.
Automated Surface Observing System KAFF peak wind gust.
Estimated gust.
Estimated gust.
Cadet chapel reported 87 mph wind gust within showers.
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, June 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: 904647, 904648, 904649, 904650, 904651, 904652, 903403, 904653, 904654, 904842, 904843, 904844, 904845, 904846.