Winter Storm — Western Kiowa County, Colorado

2011-12-19 to 2011-12-20 · Western Kiowa County, Colorado

Wider weather episode

A powerful upper level storm system tracking across northern New Mexico combined with polar air across the eastern Colorado plains. The result was significant snow and strong winds across many sections of southern Colorado...including blizzard conditions. Localized snow drifts up to 10 feet were noted...especially over sections of Baca County. There were numerous accidents across far southeast Colorado, and nearly 30 people needed to be rescued in Baca County alone. Livestock also needed special provision. Lighter snow accumulations under 6 inches occurred across the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Pikes Peak Region, and adjacent valleys and plains. The highest totals occurred from the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the far southeast Colorado plains. Some of the higher snow totals were...6 to 8 inches from southern El Paso and eastern Fremont Counties to Crowley County...10 to 15 inches in a wide swath from Huerfano County through Pueblo, Otero and Las Animas Counties into Kiowa, Prowers and northern Baca Counties...and 20 inches or more in southern Baca County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 356884. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.