With a mid-level monsoonal moisture plume already in place, and a passing shortwave trough in the upper levels, a few strong to severe storms developed over portions of the plains from the 12th thru 13th of August, and also resulted in some heavy amounts of rain over El Paso County. A wet microburst from a thunderstorm also produced wind damage around the city of Pueblo due to brief gusty winds…
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.
With a mid-level monsoonal moisture plume already in place, and a passing shortwave trough in the upper levels, a few strong to severe storms developed over portions of the plains from the 12th thru 13th of August, and also resulted in some heavy amounts of rain over El Paso County. A wet microburst from a thunderstorm also produced wind damage around the city of Pueblo due to brief gusty winds being greater than hurricane force.
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 12, 1:35 PM MST, 1 hour 15 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 235 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Flash flooding and strong storms possible this afternoon into this evening over the plains. - Strong storms possible once again over plains tomorrow afternoon. - Drier and warmer through the end of the work week. - Increasing coverage of daily showers and thunderstorms again for the late weekend into early next week. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 233 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024 Currently... Isolated thunderstorms were developing region-wide over the fcst area at 2 pm. Best overall coverage was up on the north side of the Pikes peak region and over the San Juans pushing into the San Luis Valley. A look at the SPC Meso page shows that 20 to 30 knots of deep shear was noted over all of the plains and adjacent S mtns along with Sfc based CAPE values of 1000 to 4000 Joules. The best CAPE was noted over far SE CO plains and was advecting northwestward. Rest of Today into Tonight... Main concern is strong storms developing over the region and they will be capable of rainfall that could produce flash flooding along with marginally severe weather. Greatest threat for heavy rain will generally be over northern El Paso county, Crowley county and especially Kiowa county. Early this afternoon a theta-e maximum was advecting northwestward across Baca county, and this unstable air will continue to advect north and westward during this afternoon. Instability was increasing (per above discussion), as CAPE values were between 1000 and 4000 Joules (most unstable far southeast) and shear values over the far eastern plains were in the 20 to 30 knt range. A disturbance (per water vap imgy) over the 4 corners region will continue to move east, and this will allow thunderstorms to increase in coverage and intensity over the plains as the afternoon progresses. Based on latest data, the best chance for heavy rain along the I-25 corridor will be between 5 and 8 pm, with the heavy rain pushing east-northeast over the eastern plains during the evening hours. Storms should end late this evening over most areas, but CONTDVD region could see occasional showers and storms throughout the overnight hours. Some areas of low clouds could be over the plains early tomorrow morning. Tomorrow... Coverage of storms tomorrow is expected to be somewhat less than what will happen today as a bit drier air start to move into the region. Additionally, temps tomorrow will be about 1 to 3 F warmer than todays max temps. Additionally, the storms will likely initiate a bit later in the day as compared to today. Nonetheless, we will once again see a threat of marginally severe storms (with wind being the main threat) and more localized heavy rain over the entire region. \/Hodanish && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Issued at 233 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024 Moderate westerly flow aloft remains progged across the region through the end of the work week, which will start to scour out and then keep the monsoonal moisture plume well south of the area through the end of the work week. There looks to be enough lift and moisture associated with a passing embedded wave across the Northern Rockies on Wednesday to support scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms, with the best coverage expected across the higher terrain and generally north of the Highway 50 Corridor. By Thursday and continuing into the early weekend, operational and ensemble data indicate below seasonal moisture in place across the Central Rockies, as upper level ridging builds back across the region. The latest operational GFS is the most aggressive in bringing back monsoonal into western Colorado by Saturday, where as the rest of the guidance keeps the plume south and west of the area through Saturday. With that said, should see a downward trend in daily convection, with mainly isolated high based showers over the higher terrain for the end of the work week and into the early weekend. With the decreased moisture and convection, temperatures will warm back to above seasonal levels, with highs well into the 90s across the Plains once again. The increased temperatures and decreased moisture, combined with moderating westerly flow aloft, will lead to increasing fire danger across the region into the weekend as well. By Sunday and continuing into early next week, model data does support increasing available moisture within southwesterly flow aloft, as the upper high slowly shifts south and east of the Central Rockies. This will again lead to a slow increase in coverage of afternoon showers and thunderstorms areawide, with a slow decrease in temperatures. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 1106 AM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024 Main concern will be rather high potential for some thunder to move across the KCOS and KPUB taf sites during the last afternoon/evening time period. This activity will likely bring a period of gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the sites. KALS may also see a chance of a passing TSRA during the above mentioned time period. In addition, with low level moist air in place late tonight and weak upslope component to the sfc wind field, we may see a chance of lower cigs towards sunrise at KCOS and KPUB. For now only have sct low clouds, but MVFR/IFR conditions cannot be ruled out in later updates. Otherwise, VFR and light winds at the 3 taf sites, KPUB, KALS and KCOS. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for COZ081-082-084>086- 089-093-095>098. && SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...MW AVIATION...HODANISH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1138 AM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024 COZ058>089-093>099-131745- 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- 1138 AM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Heavy rains capable of producing flash flooding will be possible this afternoon and into tonight over most of the plains, including the Pueblo and Colorado Springs region. In addition, strong to marginally severe thunderstorms will be possible over all of the plains and adjacent southern mountain later this afternoon into this evening. The combination of abundant low level moisture, sufficient wind shear and an upper level disturbance will allow for thunderstorms to develop over the mountains by early afternoon, and then push out onto the plains later this afternoon. With lots of instability available, the storms will intensify and will be capable of producing heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding. The greatest threat of flash flooding on the plains will be along and north of highway 50. In addition, strong to marginally severe thunderstorms will be possible across all of the plains and adjacent southern mountains. Wind gusts to 60 mph and hail the size of ping pong balls are expected. In the interior mountains and valleys, locally heavy rains will be possible. There has been an increase in rock and mud slides in the mountains over the last few days, and with additional heavy rain possible, the mud and rock slide threat will continue. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Rain showers and thunderstorms are expected for much of the region Tuesday and Wednesday, with the greatest coverage along and around the mountains. Some storms across the valleys and plains may become strong to severe Tuesday and Wednesday, with severe wind gusts and large hail the primary hazards. Conditions dry out Thursday and Friday, with showers and storms returning over the weekend. Any more organized storm may produce heavy rain Tuesday through Sunday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be likely over ALL of the region this afternoon and tonight. Hodanish
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
209 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
COZ071-122045-
Southern San Luis Valley CO-
209 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN ALAMOSA...WEST CENTRAL
COSTILLA AND EAST CENTRAL CONEJOS COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM MDT...
At 209 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sanford, or 15 miles south of San Luis Valley Airport, moving
northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Sanford and San Acacio.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3726 10594 3736 10580 3736 10574 3746 10562
3725 10543 3711 10585
TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 235DEG 18KT 3723 10579
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
216 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
COZ081-084-085-122045-
Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below
7400 Ft CO-
Teller County/Rampart Range above 7500fT/Pike's Peak Between 7500 And
11000 Ft CO-
Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below 7500 Ft
CO-
216 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN EL PASO COUNTY
THROUGH 245 PM MDT...
At 216 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Cascade, or 7 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, moving northeast
at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Colorado Springs, Monument, Air Force Academy, Manitou Springs,
Chipita Park, Gleneagle, Cimarron Hills, and Cascade.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3882 10501 3891 10502 3908 10482 3886 10459
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 236DEG 12KT 3889 10494
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
255 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
COZ071-074-075-122130-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Ft CO-
Southern San Luis Valley CO-
Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Ft CO-
255 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL COSTILLA COUNTY THROUGH
330 PM MDT...
At 255 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
San Acacio, or 21 miles southeast of San Luis Valley Airport, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
San Luis and San Acacio.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3715 10559 3727 10566 3743 10541 3726 10523
TIME...MOT...LOC 2055Z 243DEG 15KT 3725 10555
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MGPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
310 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0308 PM Rain 5 SSE Air Force Academy 38.93N 104.85W
08/12/2024 M0.53 Inch El Paso CO Trained Spotter
fell in 30 min along with pea size hail.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
327 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0250 PM Rain 3 NE Manitou Springs 38.88N 104.86W
08/12/2024 E1.50 Inch El Paso CO Public
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
348 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
COZ093-097-122215-
Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County CO-La Junta Vicinity/Otero County CO-
348 PM MDT Mon Aug 12 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN OTERO AND
NORTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM MDT...
At 348 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Las Animas, or 10 miles northeast of North La Junta,
moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Las Animas, John Martin Reservoir, and Fort Lyon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3796 10338 3804 10344 3819 10335 3811 10310
TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 215DEG 15KT 3803 10336
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MGThe Pueblo radar (KPUX), 75 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:50 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 5 hail, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
A public source reported heavy rain with a total amount of 1.5 inches in a short period of time due to a strong storm.
A COOP Observer reported hail of .88 inches in diameter.
A public source reported hail of 1.5 inches in diameter.
A trained spotter reported hail of 0.88 inches in diameter.
Public reported thunderstorm wind damage. Trees down near mineral palace park.
Public reported tree down in a backyard. Extensive damage to the tree and branches. The tree came down on and destroyed a wooden fence.
A public source reported hail of 0.88 inches in diameter.
Public reported thunderstorm wind damage. Blown down trees and limbs up to 16 inches in diameter. Time estimated by radar.
Public reported thunderstorm wind damage. Roof blown off of building. Time is estimated based on radar.
A trained spotter reported hail of 0.88 inches in diameter.
NWS employee reported a measured thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph.
Public reported thunderstorm wind damage. Branches snapped on some smaller trees, and one window broken on the front of a convenience store.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, August 2024
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: 1212974, 1212967, 1212968, 1212969, 1212978, 1212979, 1212970, 1212980, 1212982, 1212971, 1212983, 1212985.