During late March, yet another deep upper level trough dug in across the western US. This, along with a strong southwesterly flow from the subtropical jet, brought in sufficient moisture and synoptic/orographic lift for another round of snowfall for parts of SE Colorado.
Every event with a place to put it; 24 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.
During late March, yet another deep upper level trough dug in across the western US. This, along with a strong southwesterly flow from the subtropical jet, brought in sufficient moisture and synoptic/orographic lift for another round of snowfall for parts of SE Colorado. Additionally, the strong synoptic forcing and convective nature of parts of this system did allow for the formation of one landspout tornado on March 26th.
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 24, 3:09 AM MST, 1 hour 51 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion...CORRECTED National Weather Service Pueblo CO 409 AM MDT Sun Mar 24 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - BLIZZARD WARNING N El Paso county tonight/Winter Storm Warning for Teller - Red Flag Warning with lightning caused fires possible later today. - STRONG winds along/north of US50 tonight, windy rest of plains. - Snow, some heavy. southern Mtns/S I-25 corridor. - Snow over the CONTDVD thru tonight. - First severe thunderstorm (wind) late this afternoon/early evening? - Unsettled weather expected for the first half of the new week, with the most widespread and impactful weather expected Monday. - Downtick in active weather expected for the later part of the week, with mountain snow increasing heading into the weekend. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 406 AM MDT Sun Mar 24 2024 Currently...Showers were moving across the higher terrain at 2 AM this morning. Over the lower elevations it was relatively mild with readings in the U40s to L50s, The valleys were in the 30s with the upper ark valley in the 20s. Mtns were in the 10s and 20s. On the regional scale, an broad trough was over the southwestern CONUS and this will be our wx maker during the next 24 hours. This system promises us to bring heavy snow, some wind driven, to parts of the region and strong winds over the plains. Today... A warm and mild day is in store for a good part of the region today. Over the highest terrain, snow will occur, especially over the CONTDVD region. Over the plains, fire weather concerns will be the main concern today, especially over the southeast plains. Besides the marginal low RH values and gusty SW winds, some dry lightning will be possible later this afternoon. Temps will be in the 60s to around 70F over the plains today with temps near 50 in the SLV. Tonight... Lots of weather problems tonight. A cool front will be lurking over the Palmer Divide during the mid afternoon time period, but the main brunt of the front will likely not come down across the Palmer until the early to mid evening time period. Winds will increase from the northeast and then shift to northerly by late evening. Winds will become quite strong (58+), especially along and north of US 50 later this evening per probability DESI output. Wind driven snow will pick up across the higher elevations of the greater Pikes Peak region by early evening. Given the strong northerly flow, there will be a strong gradient, and expect most of the heavier snow across northern El Paso county will occur over the western sections of northern El Paso county, especially the Monument and Black Forest regions. Per coordination with NWS Boulder, decided to go BLIZZARD WARNING for northern El Paso county. Snowfall across N El Paso county will range from 2 to 8 inches. Of more of a concern will be the drifting with this snow, and some of the drifts could be impressive before this system ends around sunrise tomorrow. Across Teller, snowfall accums will be in the 8 to 14 inch range. Over S El Paso county, the strong northerly winds will likely dramatically cut off the snow over this region, but winds gusting to 40 to 60 mph will cause potential wind damage tonight. As the front drives southward and the strong northeasterlies penetrate into the Wet Mtns, snow will rapidly intensify over the Sangre De Cristos, Wet mtns, Wet mtn valley and the southern I-25 corridor region. Accums of 6 to 24 inches will be possible over the mtns with 3 to 8 inches over the southern I-25 corridor region. This area will have to be carefully watched as warnings may be needed, especially for the Walsenburg region. For Pueblo and the rest of the US-50 corridor region over the plains, strong winds will be possible this evening into tonight, with the brunt of the winds occurring north of US50. Snow will be limited due to the strong downward component. However, there could be a brief period of heavier precip along the US50 corridor region associated with the strong convergence of the front. A strong to severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out today if convection gets going along, and just behind, the front. As always the case with these situations, what will be the primary forcing with the strong (possible) tsra winds, the pressure gradient or the actual storm itself?? \/Hodanish && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Issued at 406 AM MDT Sun Mar 24 2024 Monday - Wednesday: The first half of the new week will bring unsettled weather to much of south central and southeastern Colorado. A broad longwave trough will be in place over the region throughout this period, bringing increased forcing and modest moisture to the area. With the uptick in both of these, precipitation chances will be heightened across the region, especially Monday, when forcing will be strongest. With that said though, the most widespread and heaviest precipitation will remain along the mountains, where forcing will be greatest. Given colder temperatures funneling into the area with this system, most precipitation will remain snow, though periods of rain and rain/snow mix will possible for the lower elevations during the days Tuesday and Wednesday as temperatures slowing rebound to warmer values. Along with the precipitation, windy conditions are expected, though mostly on Monday, as the primary low with the trough tightens the pressure gradient across the region. The strongest winds are anticipated early Monday, and will then slowly lessen throughout the day as the low ejects to the northeast throughout the day. As for temperatures, a cool stretch of days is expected as cold air fills in behind a cold front from Sunday and the overall trough remains in place. Much of the region will drop to below seasonal values for late March, though will slowly warm heading into the midweek timeframe. Thursday - Saturday: For the rest of the week and start of the weekend, a downtick in active weather is expected for south central and southeastern Colorado. Ridging will develop early in this period, and transition to southwesterly flow heading into the weekend. Given less ascent with this pattern, precipitation chances are expected to remain low for much of the region. The exception to this will be along the mountains, and especially the Continental Divide, where orographic forcing will start to increase as the southwesterly flow materializes. Looking at temperatures, a warming trend is anticipated to continue for the area. Southwesterly winds will help to quickly warm to region to and above seasonal values for late March. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/... Issued at 406 AM MDT Sun Mar 24 2024 A strong cold front will move across the PUB and COS taf sites early this evening. This system will bring strong northeast then northerly winds tonight. winds could exceed 50 knots. Some precip, briefly heavy with some tsra possible, will be likely along, and just behind, the front. MVFR with brief periods of LIFR possible, especially early this evening. For KALS, rain, then snow, is likely after sunset, especially during the early morning hours as the trough moves across. MVFR/IFR likely, especially tonight. The snow will accumulate. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT Monday for COZ058-060- 064-066-076. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM MDT Monday for COZ067-068. Winter Storm Warning until midnight MDT Monday night for COZ072>075-079-080. Winter Storm Warning from noon today to 9 AM MDT Monday for COZ081-082. Blizzard Warning from 6 PM this evening to 9 AM MDT Monday for COZ084. High Wind Warning from 8 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT Monday for COZ085-086-089-095-096. Winter Weather Advisory from 9 PM this evening to noon MDT Monday for COZ087-088-094. Red Flag Warning from 11 AM this morning to 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ233-235>237. && SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...SIMCOE AVIATION...HODANISH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 523 AM MDT Sun Mar 24 2024 COZ058>089-093>099-251130- 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- 523 AM MDT Sun Mar 24 2024 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A strong Pacific storm system will impact the region today and tonight. This system will bring fire weather conditions to the far southeast plains today, as gusty southwest winds will occur with low humidity values. A few cloud to ground lightning strikes will also be possible, especially later this afternoon, and these flashes could start new fires. Snow will continue in the mountains along the Divide today and gradually push east this afternoon. Locally heavy accumulations will be possible over the high terrain. For tonight, a strong cold front will blast down the plains. Blizzard conditions are expected to develop over the Palmer Divide region and last through the night. 4 to 10 inches of snow will be possible, with the heaviest snow occurring over the Monument and Black Forest regions. Travel over the Palmer Divide tonight will be difficult. Significant snow drifts are anticipated. Strong winds will develop over the rest of the plains tonight, with the strongest winds occurring along and north of highway 50. Wind gusts to 65 mph will be possible. Later this evening, the snow will push into the southern mountain areas and the southern I-25 corridor region. Locally heavy snow is expected and travel along the southern I-25 corridor region will become difficult. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Unsettled weather is expected for the first half of the week, with widespread snow Monday, and snow becoming restricted to the mountains Tuesday and Wednesday. Along with the snow, strong northerly winds around 55 mph are expected Monday, mostly early in the day. These conditions could cause hazardous driving conditions Monday morning, especially over the Palmer Divide, where snow is still expected to be ongoing. Snow decreases in coverage for much of the region starting Thursday, with snow returning along the Continental Divide Friday and Saturday. Near to spotty critical fire weather conditions return Thursday and persist through Saturday, as southwesterly winds increase and humidity values drop. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be likely over portions of the region. 34/SIMCOE
The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:33 UTC.
23 heavy snow, 1 high wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
There was 9.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 9.9 inches of snow measured.
There was 8.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 3.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 7.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 3.6 inches of snow measured.
There was 12.9 inches of snow measured.
There was 8.4 inches of snow measured.
There was 12.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 10.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 6.7 inches of snow measured.
There was 8.5 inches of snow measured.
There was a wind gust of 62 mph measured via ASOS.
There was 10.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 9.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 6.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 2.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 1.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 5.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 12.2 inches of snow measured.
There was 7.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 8.1 inches of snow measured.
There was 2.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 9.0 inches of snow measured.
Video from a local on social media revealed a landspout tornado feature near Pueblo West. The video showed clear circulation from cloud to ground, the landspout was on the ground for approximately 2 to 3 minutes, moving in an eastward direction. No damage was reported.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Colorado, 2024Warnings in Colorado, March 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: 1168190, 1168200, 1168201, 1168213, 1168205, 1168197, 1168208, 1168186, 1168191, 1168193, 1168203, 1168211, 1168182, 1168195, 1168196, 1168206, 1168210, 1168185, 1168183, 1168187, 1168207, 1168202, 1168212, 1168194, 1168223.