A major winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast that may cause impossible travel conditions and power outages. Blizzard conditions are possible along the Northeastern Seaboard. Wet weather and strong winds return to the Pacific Northwest and north-central California. Read More >
Overview
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| GOES-East Geocolor revealing widespread blowing dust across southern Colorado. Courtesy Bill Line (Atmospheric Scientist; NOAA/ NESDIS) |
A major storm system moved across the region during the day on December 15th, providing widespread impacts to southern Colorado. Across southern Colorado, extreme winds, high to extreme fire danger, dust storms, heavy mountain snow, and snow squalls were all observed.
Storm Highlights:
107 MPH at Lamar at 844 AM MST
101 MPH at 2 SSW Manitou Springs 1156 AM MST
100 MPH at US Air Force Academy at 1118 AM MST
92 MPH at Colorado Springs Airport at 1254 PM MST
89 MPH at Pueblo Airport at 1016 AM MST
Environment
A potent upper level system and surface low approached the region late in the day on the 14th, and then lifted across Colorado during the day on the 15th as a strong upper level jet of 120 KT translated overhead.
This setup favored heavy mountain snow across the Continental Divide, primarily the eastern San Juan mountain. Meanwhile, lighter amounts of snow were observed across the central and eastern mountains. As this system pivoted across the region, the strength of this system and some weak instability supported the development of snow squalls from the Continental Divide east into parts of the I-25 corridor.
The strong jet moving across the region as well as mountain wave action produce widespread extreme winds over much of southern Colorado. The really dry conditions in place and these extreme winds then produced widespread blowing dust over much of the plains.
High/Extreme fire danger was also noted given the strength of the wind field and falling RH values, falling well into the teens
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| 300mb Analysis from 5am on 12/15/2021 | 500mb Analysis from 5am on 12/15/2021 | 700mb Analysis from 5am on 12/15/2021 | 850mb Analysis from 5am on 12/15/2021 |
Near-storm environment summary.
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| MUCAPE and MUCIN over the plains at 7AM. | 0-3km Lapse Rates at 11AM. | Water Vapor Imagery illustrating dry air over the eastern plains. | Surface Temperatures, Relative Humidity, Pressure, and Wind, which highlights the High Fire Danger across the eastern plains. |
Service:
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| Weather Story form 12/15/2021 | Weather Story from 12/15/2021 | Mesographic from 12/15/2021 at 9AM | Early Morning Mesographic from 12/15/2021 |
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| Weather Story form 12/15/2021 highlighting High Fire Danger |
Photos & Video
Still gathering photos:
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Radar
Header
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| Radar loop of the squall line that developed over Colorado on 12/15/2021. |
Storm Reports
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO 714 PM MST WED DEC 15 2021 ...HIGHEST WIND REPORTS... LOCATION SPEED TIME/DATE LAT/LON LAMAR AIRPORT 107 MPH 0844 AM 12/15 38.07N/102.68W 2 SSW MANITOU SPGS 101 MPH 1156 AM 12/15 38.83N/104.93W US AIR FORCE ACADEMY 100 MPH 1118 AM 12/15 38.97N/104.82W 3 WSW AIR FORCE ACADEMY 94 MPH 1051 AM 12/15 38.99N/104.92W COLORADO SPRINGS 93 MPH 1210 PM 12/15 38.93N/104.85W 5 NE MANITOU SPGS 93 MPH 1219 PM 12/15 38.92N/104.84W 025S146 GARDEN OF THE GODS 92 MPH 1046 AM 12/15 38.90N/104.83W COLORADO SPRINGS 92 MPH 1131 AM 12/15 38.74N/104.86W COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT 92 MPH 1254 PM 12/15 38.82N/104.68W COLORADO SPRINGS 92 MPH 0201 PM 12/15 38.74N/104.86W US AIR FORCE ACADEMY 91 MPH 1043 AM 12/15 38.97N/104.82W US AIR FORCE ACADEMY 91 MPH 1058 AM 12/15 38.97N/104.82W US AIR FORCE ACADEMY 91 MPH 1158 AM 12/15 38.97N/104.82W COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT 91 MPH 1225 PM 12/15 38.82N/104.68W WESTCLIFFE 91 MPH 0748 AM 12/15 38.07N/105.53W 2 SSE PETERSON AFB 90 MPH 1218 PM 12/15 38.81N/104.69W 6 SSW WESTCLIFFE 90 MPH 0746 AM 12/15 38.05N/105.51W WESTCLIFFE 90 MPH 1058 AM 12/15 38.07N/105.53W 5 NE BLENDE 89 MPH 1016 AM 12/15 38.29N/104.50W 1 SSW CANON CITY 89 MPH 0905 AM 12/15 38.44N/105.24W 025S146 GARDEN OF THE GODS 88 MPH 1036 AM 12/15 38.90N/104.83W COLORADO SPRINGS 86 MPH 1220 PM 12/15 38.93N/104.85W COLORADO SPRINGS 85 MPH 1210 PM 12/15 38.94N/104.78W LAMAR AIRPORT 84 MPH 0855 AM 12/15 38.07N/102.68W LA JUNTA AIRPORT 84 MPH 0810 AM 12/15 38.05N/103.52W LA JUNTA AIRPORT 84 MPH 0822 AM 12/15 38.05N/103.52W COLORADO SPRINGS 84 MPH 1100 AM 12/15 38.93N/104.85W 1 SE RAMPART RSVR 84 MPH 1235 PM 12/15 38.96N/104.95W 8 S SPRINGFIELD 84 MPH 0956 AM 12/15 37.28N/102.62W COLORADO SPRINGS 82 MPH 1101 AM 12/15 38.74N/104.86W 5 NE MANITOU SPGS 82 MPH 1139 AM 12/15 38.92N/104.84W UTE CANYON 82 MPH 0959 AM 12/15 37.06N/102.63W 5 NE BLENDE 81 MPH 1119 AM 12/15 38.29N/104.50W LA JUNTA AIRPORT 81 MPH 1153 AM 12/15 38.05N/103.52W 5 NE MANITOU SPGS 81 MPH 1038 AM 12/15 38.92N/104.84W 5 NE MANITOU SPGS 81 MPH 1048 AM 12/15 38.92N/104.84W COLORADO SPRINGS 81 MPH 1050 AM 12/15 38.93N/104.85W COLORADO SPRINGS 81 MPH 1051 AM 12/15 38.74N/104.86W 2 SSW MANITOU SPGS 81 MPH 1124 AM 12/15 38.83N/104.93W FT CARSON AIRPORT 81 MPH 1158 AM 12/15 38.67N/104.77W 5 NE MANITOU SPGS 81 MPH 1249 PM 12/15 38.92N/104.84W 5 NE MANITOU SPGS 81 MPH 0109 PM 12/15 38.92N/104.84W COLORADO SPRINGS 81 MPH 0250 PM 12/15 38.93N/104.85W 025S05910RWS1RHS - 0.4 MI N 79 MPH 1056 AM 12/15 37.75N/104.84W RED CREEK 78 MPH 1058 AM 12/15 38.21N/105.00W 025S05910RWS1RHS - 0.4 MI N 78 MPH 0813 AM 12/15 37.75N/104.84W BLACK MOUNTAIN 78 MPH 0156 PM 12/15 37.86N/105.28W COLORADO SPRINGS 78 MPH 1041 AM 12/15 38.74N/104.86W UTE CANYON 78 MPH 0859 AM 12/15 37.06N/102.63W ARVADA 77 MPH 1020 AM 12/15 38.34N/104.82W BIG HORN 77 MPH 0558 AM 12/15 37.02N/106.20W UTE CANYON 77 MPH 1159 AM 12/15 37.06N/102.63W 5 NE BLENDE 76 MPH 0715 AM 12/15 38.29N/104.50W LA JUNTA AIRPORT 76 MPH 1053 AM 12/15 38.05N/103.52W 160W166 WOLF CREEK PASS 76 MPH 0418 AM 12/15 37.48N/106.78W TRINIDAD AIRPORT 76 MPH 0954 AM 12/15 37.27N/104.33W 025S05910RWS1RHS - 0.4 MI N 76 MPH 0701 AM 12/15 37.75N/104.84W BLACK MOUNTAIN 76 MPH 0856 AM 12/15 37.86N/105.28W BLACK MOUNTAIN 76 MPH 0956 AM 12/15 37.86N/105.28W FREMONT COUNTY ARPT 76 MPH 0955 AM 12/15 38.42N/105.10W 5 NE MANITOU SPGS 76 MPH 1008 AM 12/15 38.92N/104.84W US AIR FORCE ACADEMY 76 MPH 1043 AM 12/15 38.97N/104.82W ARVADA 75 MPH 1010 AM 12/15 38.34N/104.82W 025S066 APACHE CITY 75 MPH 0813 AM 12/15 37.86N/104.83W COLORADO SPRINGS 75 MPH 0950 AM 12/15 38.93N/104.85W 1 SE RAMPART RSVR 75 MPH 1135 AM 12/15 38.96N/104.95W FT. CARSON 75 MPH 1158 AM 12/15 38.61N/104.89W WESTCLIFFE 75 MPH 0908 AM 12/15 38.07N/105.53W ARVADA 74 MPH 1130 AM 12/15 38.34N/104.82W LAMAR AIRPORT 74 MPH 1053 AM 12/15 38.07N/102.68W BEAR CREEK 74 MPH 0934 AM 12/15 38.44N/105.96W BEAR CREEK 74 MPH 1034 AM 12/15 38.44N/105.96W COLORADO SPRINGS 74 MPH 1125 AM 12/15 38.92N/104.87W FOUNATIN 74 MPH 1155 AM 12/15 38.57N/104.70W WESTCLIFFE 74 MPH 1038 AM 12/15 38.07N/105.53W COTTONWOOD PASS 74 MPH 0855 AM 12/15 38.78N/106.22W BLACK MOUNTAIN 73 MPH 1056 AM 12/15 37.86N/105.28W ARVADA 72 MPH 0900 AM 12/15 38.34N/104.82W 025S066 APACHE CITY 72 MPH 0722 AM 12/15 37.86N/104.83W 025S066 APACHE CITY 72 MPH 1025 AM 12/15 37.86N/104.83W COLORADO SPRINGS 72 MPH 1031 AM 12/15 38.74N/104.86W 2 SSW MANITOU SPGS 72 MPH 1032 AM 12/15 38.83N/104.93W COLORADO SPRINGS 72 MPH 1055 AM 12/15 38.92N/104.87W FT. CARSON 72 MPH 1058 AM 12/15 38.61N/104.89W 5 S BLACK FOREST 72 MPH 1232 PM 12/15 38.95N/104.71W 5 NE BLENDE 71 MPH 0922 AM 12/15 38.29N/104.50W 287N055 GOBBLERS KNOB 71 MPH 1116 AM 12/15 37.75N/102.60W GRANADA 71 MPH 0106 PM 12/15 38.06N/102.30W TRINIDAD AIRPORT 71 MPH 0729 AM 12/15 37.27N/104.33W COLORADO SPRINGS 71 MPH 1125 AM 12/15 38.94N/104.78W 160W278 LA VETA PASS 71 MPH 0934 AM 12/15 37.62N/105.19W BIG HORN 71 MPH 0758 AM 12/15 37.02N/106.20W COTTONWOOD PASS 70 MPH 0935 AM 12/15 38.78N/106.22W 8 S SPRINGFIELD 70 MPH 0956 AM 12/15 37.28N/102.62W WESTCLIFFE 69 MPH 0738 AM 12/15 38.07N/105.53W MANCHESTER 68 MPH 1154 AM 12/15 39.11N/105.14W BOSQUE 68 MPH 0826 AM 12/15 37.09N/104.92W 050E290 PENROSE 68 MPH 1036 AM 12/15 38.42N/105.04W FOUNATIN 68 MPH 1046 AM 12/15 38.57N/104.70W COLORADO SPRINGS 68 MPH 0240 PM 12/15 38.93N/104.85W 160W278 LA VETA PASS 68 MPH 0914 AM 12/15 37.62N/105.19W ALAMOSA AIRPORT 68 MPH 0609 AM 12/15 37.43N/105.87W RED CREEK 67 MPH 0758 AM 12/15 38.21N/105.00W LAMAR 67 MPH 1135 AM 12/15 38.08N/102.62W LA JUNTA AIRPORT 67 MPH 0953 AM 12/15 38.05N/103.52W 025N033 AGUILAR 67 MPH 0712 AM 12/15 37.42N/104.63W PINION CANYON 67 MPH 1223 PM 12/15 37.54N/104.03W COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT 67 MPH 1054 AM 12/15 38.82N/104.68W FT CARSON AIRPORT 67 MPH 1110 AM 12/15 38.67N/104.77W COTTONWOOD PASS 67 MPH 0155 PM 12/15 38.78N/106.22W 8 S SPRINGFIELD 67 MPH 0856 AM 12/15 37.28N/102.62W 025N033 AGUILAR 66 MPH 1228 PM 12/15 37.42N/104.63W 5 NE MANITOU SPGS 66 MPH 0948 AM 12/15 38.92N/104.84W WALSH 66 MPH 0918 AM 12/15 37.27N/102.13W FLORISSANT 65 MPH 0755 AM 12/15 38.95N/105.27W 5 NE BLENDE 65 MPH 0724 AM 12/15 38.30N/104.50W COLORADO CITY 65 MPH 0857 AM 12/15 37.95N/104.87W BOSQUE 65 MPH 0926 AM 12/15 37.09N/104.92W PINION CANYON 65 MPH 1123 AM 12/15 37.54N/104.03W RYE 65 MPH 0830 AM 12/15 37.83N/104.94W 025S05910RWS1RHS - 0.4 MI N 65 MPH 1046 AM 12/15 37.75N/104.84W WALSH 65 MPH 0928 AM 12/15 37.27N/102.13W MANCHESTER 64 MPH 0854 AM 12/15 39.11N/105.14W HOLLY NO. 2 64 MPH 1235 PM 12/15 38.14N/102.24W 025N033 AGUILAR 64 MPH 0934 AM 12/15 37.42N/104.63W 050E290 PENROSE 64 MPH 0955 AM 12/15 38.42N/105.04W COLORADO SPRINGS 64 MPH 1010 AM 12/15 38.93N/104.85W ALAMOSA 64 MPH 0607 AM 12/15 37.48N/105.94W 1 SSE PUEBLO WEST 63 MPH 0903 AM 12/15 38.30N/104.75W LA VETA 63 MPH 0946 AM 12/15 37.46N/105.07W LA VETA PASS 63 MPH 0955 AM 12/15 37.50N/105.17W 3 WSW AIR FORCE ACADEMY 63 MPH 0820 AM 12/15 39.00N/104.92W COLORADO CITY 62 MPH 0628 AM 12/15 37.98N/104.87W 2 ENE PUEBLO 62 MPH 1130 AM 12/15 38.31N/104.58W COLORADO CITY 61 MPH 0808 AM 12/15 37.98N/104.87W PUEBLO WEST 61 MPH 1200 PM 12/15 38.30N/104.75W 025S066 APACHE CITY 61 MPH 0651 AM 12/15 37.86N/104.83W 050E290 PENROSE 61 MPH 0934 AM 12/15 38.42N/105.04W FREMONT COUNTY ARPT 61 MPH 0935 AM 12/15 38.42N/105.10W COLORADO SPRINGS 61 MPH 1200 PM 12/15 38.83N/104.88W WESTCLIFFE 61 MPH 0618 AM 12/15 38.07N/105.53W ALAMOSA 61 MPH 0707 AM 12/15 37.48N/105.94W COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT 60 MPH 0754 AM 12/15 38.82N/104.68W FOUNATIN 60 MPH 0956 AM 12/15 38.57N/104.70W 5 NE MANITOU SPGS 60 MPH 0958 AM 12/15 38.92N/104.84W COLORADO CITY 59 MPH 0757 AM 12/15 37.95N/104.87W COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT 59 MPH 1054 AM 12/15 38.82N/104.68W FALCON AIRPORT 59 MPH 1135 AM 12/15 38.95N/104.57W HOLLY NO. 2 58 MPH 1200 PM 12/15 38.14N/102.24W TRINIDAD AIRPORT 58 MPH 0654 AM 12/15 37.27N/104.33W 5 S BLACK FOREST 58 MPH 1151 AM 12/15 38.95N/104.71W SALIDA AIRPORT 58 MPH 0955 AM 12/15 38.53N/106.05W 1 SSE PUEBLO WEST 56 MPH 0900 AM 12/15 38.30N/104.75W ...SNOWFALL REPORTS... LOCATION AMOUNT TIME/DATE LAT/LON 1 SE WOLF CREEK PASS 9.0 IN 0938 AM 12/15 37.47N/106.79W CREEDE 1.0 IN 1110 PM 12/14 37.85N/106.93W CREEDE 1.0 IN 0811 AM 12/15 37.85N/106.93W OBSERVATIONS ARE COLLECTED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES WITH VARYING EQUIPMENT AND EXPOSURES. WE THANK ALL VOLUNTEER WEATHER OBSERVERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION. NOT ALL DATA LISTED ARE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL. $$
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