As flow aloft increased out ahead of an approaching system, strong downslope winds developed lee of the eastern mountains, especially lee of the Sangre de Cristo and Wet mountains. Further north across Pikes Peak and Rampart Range, strong winds slid down the lee slopes into extreme western El Paso county.
Every event with a place to put it; 18 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.
As flow aloft increased out ahead of an approaching system, strong downslope winds developed lee of the eastern mountains, especially lee of the Sangre de Cristo and Wet mountains. Further north across Pikes Peak and Rampart Range, strong winds slid down the lee slopes into extreme western El Paso county. Strongest winds during this period were in the 70 to 80 mph range.
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 Mar 29, 10:30 AM MST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1130 AM MDT Mon Mar 29 2021 .UPDATE... Issued at 948 AM MDT Mon Mar 29 2021 Updated forecast to reflect current and forecasted dewpt values. Readings. Dewpts are below zero F over parts of the mtns and most of El Paso county, and this bone dry air is going to push eastward with time as the strong surface west winds advance eastward across the plains. Have adjusted fire weather products and RED FLAG WARNING product to account for these changes. Latest guidance is also showing precip that will affect the greater Pikes Peak Region (PPR)/S-I25 corridor region may start later than current forecast is indicating, with the brunt of it occurring TUE nite/early WED morning. Will allow more guidance to come into the WFO before adjusting precip fcst. \/Hodanish && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 449 AM MDT Mon Mar 29 2021 ...Strong winds, near record temperatures and High Fire Danger... Current water vapor imagery and upper air analysis is indicating increasing westerly flow aloft across the region ahead of a broad upper trough translating across the Intermountain West this morning. Water vapor imagery is also indicating drying over the higher terrain, especially across the northern and central mountains, with regional radars starting to indicate wind signatures across the southeast mountains as well. Latest observations are also indicating gusty westerly winds of 25 to 45 mph across the higher terrain, with winds starting to pick up across the lower eastern slopes, especially in the lee of the Wet and Sangre de Cristo mountains with gusts of 40 to 50 mph being reported at Apache City and Westcliffe early this morning. No big changes to the ongoing forecast with lee troughing continuing to deepen across the I-25 Corridor this morning, and 40-60kt cross barrier flow being indicated across the higher terrain. Latest higher resolution models and cross sections still indicate the potential for strong downslope winds to slide down with lee slopes of the eastern mountains, especially in the lee of Sangre de Cristo and Wet mountains, with high wind warnings in place across the southeast mountains and into the southern I-25 Corridor still looking good. Further north across Pikes Peak and Rampart Range, models still indicating the potential for strong winds sliding down the lee slopes into extreme western El Paso County, generally from 12Z-16Z, before potential mountain wave breaks down with increasing forward shear aloft. Otherwise, models continue indicate gusty westerly winds 30 to 60 mph developing across all of south central and southeast Colorado through the late morning and afternoon, as lee trough kicks out across the eastern plains. Strongest winds over and near the higher terrain will keep high wind warnings in place through the late morning and afternoon before pairing out by the late afternoon. These gusty winds, combined with warm temperatures and low afternoon humidity levels in the 5-10 percent range, will lead to the development of high fire danger and critical fire weather conditions across most of the snow free areas, with current Red Flag Warnings remaining in place from noon to 8 pm today. Temperatures will be near record levels today, with highs in the 70s to lower 80s expected across the southeast plains, and in the 50s and 60s across the higher terrain, save 30s and 40s at the peaks. Current records for March 29th are 69F at ALS in 2015, 75F at COS in 1967 and 86F at PUB in 1943. For tonight, the broad upper trough continues to translate across the Northern Rockies, sending a strong cold front across the eastern plains later this evening. Gusty northerly winds of 25 to 45 mph are expected in its wake, with the strongest pressure rises expected across the far eastern plains. Latest models have slowed the timing of precipitation associated with this passing wave, with scattered snow showers developing across the northern and central mountains late this afternoon. Snow showers increase in coverage and intensity through the evening, as the continue to move east into Pikes Peak region by early Tuesday morning. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches will be possible across the central mountains into the Pikes Peak region by sunrise Tuesday, however with the warm temperatures today, impacts to morning commute may be limited. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Sunday) Issued at 449 AM MDT Mon Mar 29 2021 Tuesday...An upper low pressure trough will cross the Rockies Mon night through Tue, with an associated cold front forecast to push south across CO Mon night. The cold air behind this front is expected to drop temperatures across the forecast area dramatically on Tue, as well as bring some snow to the central and eastern mts through the day Tue. The best window for snowfall across the area will occur Tue morning through the afternoon, and forecast snow totals at this time are falling within the 3 to 6 inch range for the central and eastern mts and Teller County. The Palmer Divide may see 1 to 3 inches of new snow by late Tue afternoon. As for temps, the change from max temps on Mon to Tue may be shocking, with highs expected to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler for the high valleys, and 30 to 40 degrees cooler for the plains. Plan on maximum temps in the 40s to around 50F for the high valleys, and 30s to lower 40s for the plains. Wednesday...Any lingering showers across the plains, most likely along the southern border, should come to an end by mid-morning. The area will be then under cool but dry weakening northwest flow aloft, with high temps rebounding very slowly into the 50s for most areas. Thursday through Sunday...A very broad area of high pressure then develops over the southern US, with predominant west to southwest flow aloft then pushing into the Four Corners region and remaining in place for the remainder of the extended forecast period. There is the hint of some isolated convection over the higher terrain on Fri, but otherwise the forecast area should remain dry and very warm. Look for highs in the mid 50s to lower 60s for the high valleys on Thu, and in the 60s to around 70F for the plains. For Fri through Sun, temps will climb up into the 60s to around 70F for the high valleys, and 70s to around 80F for the plains. Moore && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) Issued at 1126 AM MDT Mon Mar 29 2021 Strong winds are the main concern for this forecast period. Strong West to Southwest winds will develop at the taf sites by early afternoon and last into the early eveing hours. At KCOS and KPUB, a strong cold front will cross the taf sites during the 04-05 UTC time frame, shifting the winds into a NNE direction. Winds will once again become gusty at 25 to 35 knts, with the winds decreasing during the early morning hours. Some blowing dust may restrict visibility for a short period this afternoon, otherwise VFR condtions are anticipated. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ222-224- 227>237. High Wind Warning until 6 PM MDT this evening for COZ087-088. High Wind Warning until 4 PM MDT this afternoon for COZ062- 072>075-077>082. High Wind Warning until 6 PM MDT this evening for COZ083-085-086. && UPDATE...HODANISH SHORT TERM...MW LONG TERM...MOORE AVIATION...HODANISH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 506 AM MDT Mon Mar 29 2021 COZ058>089-093>099-301300- 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- 506 AM MDT Mon Mar 29 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Strong to locally damaging winds of 30 to 60 mph can be expected today along and to the east of Pikes Peak and the Rampart Range, as well as across the Wet and Sangre De Cristo mountains. These strong winds will likely mix down to lower elevations and affect part of the I-25 corridor, especially in areas of Southern El Paso county and from Colorado City south the the New Mexico border. The Upper Arkansas River Valley and the Wet Mountain Valley will also see these gusty westerly winds. These strong winds, combined with near record warm temperatures, and low relative humidity levels, will lead to the development of critical fire weather conditions across most of snow free areas of south central and southeast Colorado this afternoon into the early evening. Scattered snow showers will develop across the central mountains later this afternoon, with showers increasing in coverage and intensity as they spread east into the Pikes Peak region by early Tuesday morning. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches will be possible by sunrise Tuesday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Accumulating snowfall is expected across the central and eastern mountains, and into the I-25 corridor through Tuesday. Latest snowfall estimates suggest a potential 3 to 6 inches for the eastern and central mountains as well as the higher elevations of Teller County, along with 1 to 3 inches possible across the Palmer Divide. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be likely today and tonight over and near the higher terrain. 23/27
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
810 AM MDT MON MAR 29 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0746 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 5 SW LA VETA 37.46N 105.07W
03/29/2021 M53 MPH HUERFANO CO MESONET
MESONET STATION FW8680 LA VETA.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
924 AM MDT MON MAR 29 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0903 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 5 SW LA VETA 37.46N 105.07W
03/29/2021 M54 MPH HUERFANO CO MESONET
MESONET STATION FW8680 LA VETA.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1029 AM MDT MON MAR 29 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0954 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 9 NNW WOODLAND PARK 39.11N 105.14W
03/29/2021 M55 MPH TELLER CO MESONET
MESONET STATION HACC2 MANCHESTER.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1057 AM MDT MON MAR 29 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0954 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 9 NNW WOODLAND PARK 39.11N 105.14W
03/29/2021 M55 MPH TELLER CO MESONET
MESONET STATION HACC2 MANCHESTER.
0903 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 5 SW LA VETA 37.46N 105.07W
03/29/2021 M54 MPH HUERFANO CO MESONET
MESONET STATION FW8680 LA VETA.
0634 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SW SWISSVALE 38.44N 105.96W
03/29/2021 M52 MPH FREMONT CO MESONET
MESONET STATION BEKC2 BEAR CREEK.
0635 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 4 E CRYSTOLA 38.96N 104.95W
03/29/2021 M51 MPH EL PASO CO MESONET
MESONET STATION RRAC2 1 SE RAMPART RSVR.
0901 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 6 SSW COLORADO SPRINGS 38.74N 104.86W
03/29/2021 M55 MPH EL PASO CO MESONET
MESONET STATION AU923 COLORADO SPRINGS.
1008 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 6 SW WESTCLIFFE 38.07N 105.53W
03/29/2021 M58 MPH CUSTER CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CW5478 WESTCLIFFE.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1116 AM MDT MON MAR 29 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1050 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 6 S COLORADO CITY 37.86N 104.83W
03/29/2021 M54 MPH HUERFANO CO MESONET
MESONET STATION CO029 025S066 APACHE CITY.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO
1221 PM MDT MON MAR 29 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1156 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 8 NW GARDNER 37.86N 105.28W
03/29/2021 M55 MPH HUERFANO CO MESONET
MESONET STATION BMOC2 BLACK MOUNTAIN.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
18 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Six miles south southwest Colorado Springs.
Eight miles northwest Gardner.
Six miles south Colorado City.
Six miles south Colorado City.
Walsenburg station, K4V1.
Eight miles west northwest San Isabel.
Air Force Academy.
Two miles northeast Aguilar.
One mile northwest Pueblo West.
Trinidad Airport.
Colorado Springs Airport.
Four miles west northwest Pueblo West.
Alamosa Airport.
Two miles northeast Aguilar.
Pueblo Airport.
Four miles south southwest Fowler.
Six miles southwest Westcliffe.
La Junta Airport.
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, March 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: 952564, 952573, 952570, 952560, 952561, 952565, 952569, 952563, 952571, 952562, 952574, 952566, 952567, 952559, 952568, 952575, 952572, 952576.