Strong winds associated with an upper level system and surface trough moved across the region during the late afternoon and evening on this day. This resulted in high winds across southern Colorado, especially the southeast plains where gusts up to 60 to 70 mph were observed.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 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.
Strong winds associated with an upper level system and surface trough moved across the region during the late afternoon and evening on this day. This resulted in high winds across southern Colorado, especially the southeast plains where gusts up to 60 to 70 mph were observed.
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 Apr 6, 10:44 AM MST, 2 hours 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1144 AM MDT Tue Apr 6 2021 .UPDATE... Issued at 921 AM MDT Tue Apr 6 2021 Updated forecast to expand Red Flag Warning to include the Wets and Sangre De Cristo mountains where fuels are now deemed critical below 7000 feet. Also upgraded high wind watches and expanded them to include the southeast corner of the state for this afternoon and evening. High winds will be forced due to a combination of strong synoptic scale forcing as the closed low moves southeastward and its upper jet along its southern periphery translates eastward across the San Luis Valley, southeast mountains and adjacent plains. Gusts to around 60 mph will be possible across the San Luis Valley and I-25 corridor this afternoon with high res models showing a core of strong winds spreading across this region along and behind the upper trough axis. This then spreads eastward into the I-25 corridor and adjacent plains from mid to late afternoon with winds being enhanced by any high based convective showers, if sufficient high based moisture survives as it transverses the mountains. This won't produce rain at the surface but will only help translate momentum down. Secondary round of high winds will be across the plains with the cold front which surges southward late this afternoon and evening. Again, gusts to 60 mph or greater will be possible behind the front where it is more likely that convectively enhanced wind gusts from thunderstorms along the front will occur. Will carry all of these high wind warnings until 9 PM for now...though suspect eastern counties may need to be extended into tomorrow due to strong winds on the back side of the system. Will interrogate 12z models before making that decision with the afternoon package. -KT && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 426 AM MDT Tue Apr 6 2021 ...Extreme Fire Weather Conditions Today... Currently...satellite imagery early this morning shows a strengthening upper level low over northern Utah. This will be our weather maker for the next 24 hours as it moves across the state. Ahead of the upper low, southwesterly flow is increasing, with area observations showing increased winds west of I-25. Temperatures have remained quite mild with 40s to mid 50s, with only a few degrees more of cooling expected through daybreak. Today and tonight...where to begin! Models are in good agreement with the upper level low strengthening as it drops east southeast into Central Colorado by this afternoon. Overnight the upper low will slowly make its way into western Kansas. This will set the stage for several weather threats for today, including extreme fire weather conditions and the potential for high winds, blowing dust, thunderstorms and light snow over the Palmer Divide. Southwesterly flow will increase this morning across the region as the upper low approaches. Humidity values will start out low, and fall through this morning into this afternoon. Strong winds, gusting in excess of 50 mph will combine with humidity values in the single digits to produce extreme fire weather conditions. Areas over the San Luis Valley, and along the New Mexico border will see dangerous conditions develop this morning, and prevail through this evening. Further north, generally along the Highway 50 corridor, winds will increase by late morning to early afternoon. Frontal timing remains in question, with most high-res guidance this morning and high-res ensembles showing a delay, with the front dropping south around 4 PM, then surging south through 7 PM. Ahead of this front, winds will be strong and humidity values low. The Red Flag Warning for the Highway 50 corridor looks good at this time. Those with outdoor burning activities should postpone until another day given the expected conditions. The potential will also exist for high winds this afternoon, over the San Luis Valley, much of the I-25 corridor and stretching into Kiowa County. Most model guidance is developing strong winds this afternoon ahead of the cold front, with gusts in excess of 60 mph possible. With the frontal passage late this afternoon, winds will shift northerly and wind gusts near 60 mph will be possible into this evening. Left eastern Las Animas and Baca Counties out for now, but have a feeling these areas will see high wind potential with the frontal passage this evening. In addition to the high winds, blowing dust will likely be an issue across the San Luis Valley, east into the I-25 corridor and most of the Plains. Blowing dust will produce areas of reduced visibilities causing hazardous travel conditions. Strong cross winds, initially from the west will cause hazardous travel on north to south highways. Once the front passes, winds will shift out of the north, and cause hazardous travel on east to west highways. High-res model guidance is developing a few weak thunderstorms along the front late this afternoon and evening. A small ribbon of MLCAPE around 300 to 500 j/kg, stretching from the Palmer Divide into Kiowa County will be the main focus area. This convection will likely aid in the surge of the frontal boundary south. Small hail and gusty winds are possible with stronger cores. Thunderstorms should dissipate through the evening hours, and shift east into Kansas. Expect areas north of Highway 50 to see the greatest potential for a thunderstorm. Colder air behind the front will make its way into the Palmer Divide this evening, with a brief period of snow before midnight. Given the convective nature, a brief inch may be possible on grassy and elevated surfaces over northern El Paso and Teller Counties. Overall, not anticipating any travel impacts, as roadways will likely melt. Snow will also be expected from this afternoon into this evening over the Central Mountains. Areas north of Cottonwood Pass may see 1 to 2 inches. Overnight, the upper low is forecast to track into western Kansas. As it does so, precipitation should come to an end by midnight. The exception may be Kiowa County where a few showers may hold on until morning. Winds, while a bit weaker, will be gusty out near the Kansas border. Northerly wind gusts near 40 mph will remain possible through morning. Temperatures will fall off across the Plains with lower to mid 30s. The San Luis Valley will see 20s. Mozley .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 426 AM MDT Tue Apr 6 2021 Main forecast concerns/challenges: 1) Critical fire weather conditions across the San Luis Valley on Wednesday. 2) Another day of strong winds, especially across the eastern plains. Upper low expected to depart to the east at the start of the period, though stronger west/northwest flow will remain overhead on Wednesday. Some lingering moisture could support additional light snow showers across the central mountains Wednesday morning, however, don't anticipate this to persist or produce any additional snow accumulations. Highest moisture on Wednesday will stay tied to the upper level system, well to the east of the area. Despite this system shifting east on Wednesday, the stronger flow on the backside of this system will remain in place. Gusty winds along with low RH values will support another day of critical fire weather conditions, though expect these conditions to mainly be observed across the San Luis Valley on this day. With growing confidence, have opted to issue a Fire Weather Watch for this location. Do have some fire weather concerns for parts of the I-25 corridor, but at this time, only expect near critical to spotty critical fire weather conditions. The previously mentioned stronger flow remaining overhead will support strong northerly winds on Wednesday. Did increase winds and gusts on Wednesday, especially from the morning through midday when the strongest flow will still be in place. Think winds gusting up to the 50-55 mph range will definitely be possible, with a few higher gusts also possible. Strongest winds/gusts are expected over the eastern plains, closer to the CO and KS border. Anticipate mainly dry weather for much of the remaining period, however, do think some isolated showery development could occur with possible FROPAs on Friday and Sunday. This expected pattern will likely allow temps to fluctuate through the period, and also support periods of stronger northerly winds especially across the plains. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon) Issued at 1139 AM MDT Tue Apr 6 2021 KPUB: VFR conditions are expected over the next 24 hours, except for a short period around 22z where MVFR conditions are expected until about 01z because of blowing dust. Starting early this afternoon, winds should shift more northerly and increase in magnitude. Winds are anticipated to be sustained into the 30 kts and gust over 50 kts this afternoon around 22z. Winds should lessen in magnitude overnight with some 20 kt gust still possible, before picking up again at the end of the this TAF period. Mid level clouds should increase in coverage this afternoon, but should diminish by the end of the this TAF forecast period. KCOS: VFR conditions are expected over the next 24 hours. Starting early this afternoon, winds should shift more northwesterly and increase in magnitude. Winds are likely to be sustained into the 30 kts and gust within 40 kts this afternoon around 23z. Winds should lessen in magnitude overnight with some 20 kt gust still anticipated. Some mid level clouds are expected to develop this afternoon, but should begin thinning out by tomorrow morning at the end of this TAF period. Some showers will also be within the vicinity of KCOS this afternoon, but should decrease in coverage this evening. There is a possibility of thunder north of the terminal with any showers that do develop. KALS: MVFR conditions are expected throughout the afternoon up to 5z due to blowing dust, and then VFR conditions are likely after 5z through the end of this TAF forecast. Starting early this afternoon, winds should shift more northwesterly and increase in magnitude. Winds are likely to be sustained into the 30 kts and gust within 40 kts, possibly 50 kts, this afternoon around 21z. Winds should lessen in magnitude overnight and into tomorrow morning. Blowing dust will become less likely by this evening as winds weaken. High level cirrus clouds should develop later this afternoon before thinning out by the end of the TAF period. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ083-086>089- 093>099. Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ222-227-228- 231-232-235-236. Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ224-225-229- 230-233-237. High Wind Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ069>071. Fire Weather Watch from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening for COZ224. && UPDATE...KT SHORT TERM...MOZLEY LONG TERM...RODRIGUEZ AVIATION...SIMCOE
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 529 AM MDT Tue Apr 6 2021 COZ058>089-093>099-071130- 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- 529 AM MDT Tue Apr 6 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Extreme fire weather conditions will exist from this morning through this evening across much of southern Colorado due to very strong wind gusts and extremely low relative humidity values. Areas over the San Luis Valley, east along the New Mexico border will see extreme conditions beginning this morning, while areas along the Highway 50 corridor see dangerous conditions by late morning to early afternoon. Any outdoor burning activities should be postponed until another day. High winds will spread across the San Luis Valley, east into the Interstate 25 corridor and into the Eastern Plains this afternoon and evening. Initial winds will be west northwest, shifting northerly behind a cold front late this afternoon and evening. Gusts in excess of 60 mph are possible. These strong winds will likely produce areas of blowing dust which will cause reduced visibilities and hazardous driving conditions. Strong cross winds are expected this afternoon on north to south highways, switching to east to west highways by late afternoon and evening. Extreme caution is advised for travelers. A few weak thunderstorms will be possible from the Palmer Divide, southeast across Kiowa County. All thunderstorms should remain north of Highway 50. Pea size hail, gusty winds and lightning will be possible with stronger storms. Storms should dissipate this evening. Light snow is possible over the Central Mountains, with one to two inches possible north of Cottonwood Pass. Snow may also be possible this evening across the Palmer Divide and Teller County, where up to an inch may be possible on grassy and elevated surfaces. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Critical fire weather conditions will remain possible over the San Luis Valley on Wednesday, with more widespread fire weather conditions possible on Thursday across much of the region. Strong northerly winds gusting to 50 to 55 mph are possible across the eastern plains on Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be likely through this evening across all of southern Colorado. 88/RODRIGUEZ
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1147 AM MDT TUE APR 6 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1135 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 S WOLF CREEK PASS 37.45N 106.80W
04/06/2021 M54 MPH MINERAL CO AWOS
AWOS STATION KCPW WOLF CREEK PASS.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
155 PM MDT TUE APR 6 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0129 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 S ALAMOSA 37.43N 105.87W
04/06/2021 M55 MPH ALAMOSA CO ASOS
ASOS STATION KALS ALAMOSA AIRPORT.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
9 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Wolf Creek Pass.
Pueblo Memorial Airport.
La Junta Municipal Airport.
La Junta Airport.
Nine miles south Springfield.
Mcclave.
Gobblers Knob.
Lamar Airport.
Mesonet station Ute Canyon.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, April 2021
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: 953262, 953263, 953264, 953260, 953267, 953266, 953265, 953261, 953259.