A powerful upper-level disturbance moving through the Rockies sparked the development of a line of thunderstorms that brought widespread damaging winds across southern Colorado. Given the scope and intensity of the damaging winds, the storm system was classified as a derecho.
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.
A powerful upper-level disturbance moving through the Rockies sparked the development of a line of thunderstorms that brought widespread damaging winds across southern Colorado. Given the scope and intensity of the damaging winds, the storm system was classified as a derecho.
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, 10:22 AM MST, 1 hour 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1122 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 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon) Issued at 1118 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 Southerly winds will increase quickly around the start of the TAF period with wind gusting to 50 kts at all three terminals during the afternoon. Thunderstorms will be possible through early evening which could enhance surface wind gusts to around 60 kts near thunderstorms, along with producing a hail threat. TAFs will cover this probability through 22z for KALS and through 24z for both KCOS and KPUB. Thunderstorms should move east of the terminals by early evening with winds gradually decreasing overnight. They will increase again Sunday morning with gusts to around 35-40 kts by the afternoon. -KT && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ084>089- 093>099. Red Flag Warning until 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 until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ069>071. && SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...CARLBERG AVIATION...KT
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1037 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 COZ058>089-093>099-071645- 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- 1037 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 will develop over the mountains, valleys and portions of the I-25 corridor region today. The greatest severe weather risk will be straight line winds gusting to 60 to 80 mph. However, large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter and even an isolated tornado will be possible, particularly across the mountains and San Luis Valley. The timing of severe thunderstorms today will be from late morning through mid afternoon across the western mountains and San Luis Valley. Severe thunderstorms will spread into the eastern mountains and I-25 corridor after noon and continue through early evening. All of south central and southeast Colorado will see strong southerly winds gusting to between 40 and 60 mph this afternoon. This will result in strong cross winds on north south oriented roads and cause poor visibility in blowing dust, particularly across the plains. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for all of the southeast plains today due to a combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry vegetation. Any cloud to ground lightning strikes over the region have the potential to ignite new fires, and weather conditions will be favorable for rapid rates of fire growth and spread. If you see smoke, immediately call 911. Be prepared to evacuate quickly if a fire starts near your area. .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 next week. However, there is some uncertainty with the areal extent of critical fire weather conditions on Monday as a cold front could aid in raising relative humidity values above critical thresholds across northern portions of the southeast plains. 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 likely across the mountains and interior valleys late this morning through this afternoon, and across the southeast plains and this afternoon through early evening. 31/31
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1116 AM MDT SAT JUN 6 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1114 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 WSW AIR FORCE ACADEMY 38.99N 104.92W
06/06/2020 M62 MPH EL PASO CO AWOS
RAMPART SENSOR GUSTED TO 61 MPH.
&&
GHSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1118 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 COZ079-083-086-087-061800- Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO- Wet Mountains between 6300 and 10000Ft CO- Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Ft CO- Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County CO- 1118 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL HUERFANO... SOUTHEASTERN FREMONT AND WESTERN PUEBLO COUNTIES UNTIL NOON MDT... At 1116 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorms along the eastern slopes of the Wet Mountains, out into the Interstate 25 corridor south of Pueblo, moving north at 40 mph. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Pueblo, Pueblo Reservoir, Salt Creek, Pueblo West, Penrose, Rye, Colorado City and Beulah. LAT...LON 3779 10472 3785 10498 3847 10498 3844 10452 TIME...MOT...LOC 1716Z 189DEG 33KT 3785 10483 kam
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1149 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020
COZ074-075-079-085>088-061830-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO-
Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO-
Wet Mountains between 6300 and 10000Ft CO-
Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Ft CO-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below
7400 Ft CO-
Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Ft CO-
1149 AM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN HUERFANO...SOUTH CENTRAL
EL PASO...WESTERN LAS ANIMAS AND PUEBLO COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 PM MDT...
At 1147 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking thunderstorms from the
New Mexico border, through Pueblo, moving north at 50 mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pueblo, Walsenburg, Aguilar, Boone, Cokedale, Pueblo Reservoir, Salt
Creek, Gulnare, Stonewall, Pueblo Depot, Pinon, Spanish Peaks,
Blende, Boncarbo, Avondale, Pueblo West, Segundo, Colorado City and
Weston.
LAT...LON 3700 10508 3858 10475 3841 10411 3699 10461
3699 10507
TIME...MOT...LOC 1747Z 201DEG 44KT 3746 10474
kamPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1213 PM MDT SAT JUN 6 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1158 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 5 ESE WETMORE 38.21N 105.00W
06/06/2020 M71 MPH PUEBLO CO MESONET
MESONET STATION RDDC2 RED CREEK.
&&
GHSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1231 PM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 COZ086>089-093-061915- Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet CO- Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Ft CO- Crowley County CO-La Junta Vicinity/Otero County CO- Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft CO- 1231 PM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN OTERO...EASTERN HUERFANO...NORTHWESTERN LAS ANIMAS...SOUTHWESTERN CROWLEY AND SOUTHEASTERN PUEBLO COUNTIES UNTIL 115 PM MDT... At 1230 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms 8 miles northeast of Aguilar, or 22 miles north of Trinidad, moving north at 55 mph. Pea size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Eastern Pueblo, Fowler, Aguilar, Olney Springs, Boone, Avondale, Hoehne and Pueblo Depot. LAT...LON 3725 10434 3744 10475 3834 10447 3816 10387 TIME...MOT...LOC 1830Z 201DEG 49KT 3749 10455 kam
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
1242 PM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020
COZ064>069-061930-
La Garita Mountains Above 10000 Ft CO-
Saguache County East of Continental Divide below 10000 Ft CO-
Del Norte Vicinity/Northern San Luis Valley Below 8500 Ft CO-
Upper Rio Grande Valley/Eastern San Juan Mountains Below 10000 Ft CO-
Eastern San Juan Mountains Above 10000 Ft CO-
Saguache County West of Continental Divide Below 10000 Ft CO-
1242 PM MDT Sat Jun 6 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN RIO GRANDE...WESTERN
SAGUACHE...MINERAL AND NORTHWESTERN CONEJOS COUNTIES UNTIL 130 PM
MDT...
At 1242 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles west of Creede, or 49 miles south of Gunnison, moving northeast
at 50 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
South Fork, North Pass, Creede, Wagon Wheel Gap and Wolf Creek Pass.
LAT...LON 3794 10714 3796 10707 3796 10700 3843 10700
3842 10649 3741 10648 3736 10668 3741 10668
3739 10712
TIME...MOT...LOC 1842Z 218DEG 43KT 3784 10712
KTSThe Grand Junction radar (KGJX), 218 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:09 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Wind gust report from 2 South Wolf Creek Pass. AWOS Station Wolf Creek Pass.
Numerous trees down, broken branches across Canon City.
Estimated wind gust.
Large barn and tack house knocked over intersection of hwy 94 and antelope drive. Doppler estimated winds of 60-65 mph.
Automated Surface Observing System KCOS Colorado Springs Airport.
Roof peeled off a trailer home near the El Paso County fairgrounds. Time estimated per Doppler radar signatures. Doppler radar estimates 70-75 mph winds.
Automated Surface Observing System Pueblo Airport.
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: 902918, 903396, 902924, 902925, 902927, 902928, 903397, 903398, 903399, 903401.