Alert archive / Colorado / Tornado Warnings in 1988

Tornado Warning 2, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

June 5, 1988Adams County, Jefferson County, Weld County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this tornado warning at Jun 5, 1988, 3:04 PM MDT for Adams County, Jefferson County, Weld County, Colorado. It was in force for 31 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jun 5, 1988, 3:04 PM MDT (21:04 UTC)
Expired
Jun 5, 1988, 3:35 PM MDT
In force
31 min
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Whole counties

Counties Adams County, CO, Jefferson County, CO, Weld County, CO

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDEN), launched 12:00Z, 9.1 hours before the alert went out and 123 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 1988-06-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 114 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Denver, CO at 12:00Z on 1988-06-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 39 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
114 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-363 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1442 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
39 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
89 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KDEN 052107
TORDEN
COC123-013-001-059-052135-
 
BULLETIN...EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
304 PM MDT SUN JUN 05 1988
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING
EFFECTIVE UNTIL 335 PM  MDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES OF NORTHEAST COLORADO:
 
     SOUTHWESTERN WELD
     SOUTHEASTERN BOULDER
     WESTERN ADAMS
     NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON
 
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TOWNS/CITIES:
 
     BROOMFIELD..ERIE..LAFAYETTE..LOUISVILLE..NORTHGLENN..
     THORNTON..AND WESTMINSTER
 
THE STORM IS LOCATED 5 MILES NORTH OF NORTHGLENN..AND 15 MILES
NORTH OF DENVER.
 
AT 305 PM MDT A TORNADO WAS SIGHTED BY PERSONNEL AT THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER NEAR ERIE.  

IN HOMES GO TO THE BASEMENT OR INTO A CLOSET OR BATHROOM.
IN SCHOOLS..HIGH RISES AND HOSPITALS GO TO AN INTERIOR
HALLWAY ON THE LOWEST FLOOR.  IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES..
EVACUATE THEM AND GO TO A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER.  IF NO SHELTER
IS AVAILABLE..LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT.
IN ALL CASES..STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS..DOORS AND OUTSIDE WALLS.
 
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER HAVE THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SkERVICE OFFICE
IN DENVER..OR CALL YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
AT 361-0663.  DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER FOR INFORMATION.
 
KNEAS
 
LAT..LON  4011 10510 4008 10483 3981 10482 3982 10517

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 5, 11:39 AM MDT, 3 hours 25 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1140 AM MDT SUN JUNE 5 1988

         ...THUNDERSTORMS OVER COLORADRO TODAY...

THUNDERSTORM ARE ALREADY DEVELOPING OVER PARTS OF THE FRONT RANGE
SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTHWEST OF DENVER. IN ADDITION THUNDERSTORMS WERE
DEVELOPING OVER SOUTHEAST COLORADO NEAR PUEBLO AND OVER THE COLORADO
MOUNTAINS.  SOME OF THE STORMS THIS AFTERNOON COULD PRODUCE LOCALLY
HEAVY RAIN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IN ADDITION SOME STORMS ON THE
EASTERN PLAINS MAY BECOME SEVERE.

IF THREATENING WEATHER IS SIGHTED SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.
IF YOU ARE DRIVING DONT TRY TO CROSS ANY AREAS THAT APPEAR TO BE
FLOODING.

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS WILL BE ISSUED.

BALIVNT
Special weather statement, Jun 5, 12:02 PM MDT, 3 hours 2 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1202 PM MDT SUN JUNE 5 1988

         ...THUNDERSTORMS MOUNTAINS WEST OF DENVER...

THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE DEVELOPING OVER PARTS OF THE FRONT RANGE FROM THE
SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTHWEST OF DENVER. THE STRONGEST STORM WAS LOCATED
10 MILES SOUTHEAST OF GEORGETOWN COLORADO OR 38 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
DENVER.  OTHER THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED IN SOUTHWEST DOUGLAS COUNTY 35
MILES SOUTHWEST OF DENVER...NORTH TO 25 MILES WEST OF FORT COLLINS. THE
STORMS WERE MOVING VERY SLOWLY. HEAVY RAIN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME
WITH THESE STORMS COULD CAUSE SMALL STREAMS TO RISE RAPIDLY.

IF THREATENING WEATHER IS SIGHTED SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.  IF NEAR
A STREAM AND RAPIDLY RISING WATER IS NOTED MOVE TO HIGH GROUND.  IF YOU
ARE DRIVING DONT TRY TO CROSS ANY AREAS THAT APPEAR TO BE FLOODING.

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS WILL BE ISSUED.

BALINT
Special weather statement, Jun 5, 1:25 PM MDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
123 PM MDT SUN JUN 5 1988

    ...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE OVER THE FRONT RANGE...

AT 1 PM MDT THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON RADAR AND SATELLITE IMAGES SHOWED
QUITE A BIT OF SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY OVER THE FRONT RANGE OF
COLORADO FROM THE WYOMING BORDER SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST OF DENVER.

THE STRONGEST STORMS WERE LOCATED OVER EXTREME SOUTHERN JEFFERSON COUNTY
WEST OF THE TOWN OF DECKERS OR ABOUT 35 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DENVER...IN
NORTHWEST TELLER COUNTY NORTH OF LAKE GEORGE...ROUGHLY 55 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF DENVER AND IN EXTREME SOUTHWEST LARIMER COUNTY SOUTHWEST OF
ESTES PARK.  THIS STORM IS APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES TO THE NORTHWEST OF
DENVER.

THE STORMS ARE MOVING TO THE WEST OR SOUTHWEST AT ABOUT 10 MILES PER
HOUR.  VERY HEAVY RAINS...HAIL AND LIGHTNING CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THE
STORMS.

PERSONS IN THE VICINITY OF THESE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD BE ON
THE LOOKOUT FOR RAPID WEATHER CHANGES AND SEEK SAFE SHELTER SHOULD
THREATENING WEATHER APPROACH.  COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF MOISTURE CAN BE
EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS SO THAT STREAMS NEAR THE STORMS CAN RISE
RAPIDLY.  IF NEAR A STREAM AND RAPIDLY RISING WATER IS NOTED...MOVE TO
HIGH GROUND IMMEDIATELY.  DO NOT TRY TO DRIVE ACROSS AREAS THAT APPEAR
TO BE FLOODED.
E.T.
Special weather statement, Jun 5, 2:36 PM MDT, 28 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
235 PM MDT SUN JUN 5 1988

    ...FOOTHILLS FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM SUNDAY...

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE OVER THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS THIS
AFTERNOON.  SOME HEAVY RAIN FELL IN BLACKHAWK AROUND 130 PM MDT AND
PRODUCED WATER CURB DEEP THERE.

THE STRONGEST STORMS AT 130 PM MDT WERE IN WESTERN TELLER COUNTY NEAR
THE TOWNS OF LAKE GEORGE...FLORRISANT...AND CRIPPLE CREEK WEST OF
COLORADO SPRINGS...AND IN WESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY ABOUT 35 TO 40 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF DENVER NEAR THE TOWN OF DECKERS.

THE STORMS ARE MOVING QUITE SLOWLY AND BECAUSE OF THIS CAN PRODUCE VERY
HEAVY RAINS WHICH CAN QUICKLY FLOOD LOW-LYING AREAS AND SMALL STREAMS
AND CREEKS.  IN ADDITION...HAIL...LIGHTNING AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS ARE
POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS AREAS
BELOW 8000 FEET FROM THE WYOMING TO THEC NEW MEXICO BORDER UNTIL 9 PM
MDT.  PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR HEAVY RAINS
AND BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED
OR A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED.
E.T.
Special weather statement, Jun 5, 2:39 PM MDT, 25 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
235 PM MDT SUN JUN 5 1988

    ...FOOTHILLS FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM SUNDAY...

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE OVER THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS THIS
AFTERNOON.  SOME HEAVY RAIN FELL IN BLACKHAWK AROUND 130 PM MDT AND
PRODUCED WATER CURB DEEP THERE.

THE STRONGEST STORMS AT 230 PM MDT WERE IN WESTERN TELLER COUNTY NEAR
THE TOWNS OF LAKE GEORGE...FLORRISANT...AND CRIPPLE CREEK WEST OF
COLORADO SPRINGS...AND IN WESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY ABOUT 35 TO 40 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF DENVER NEAR THE TOWN OF DECKERS.

THE STORMS ARE MOVING QUITE SLOWLY AND BECAUSE OF THIS CAN PRODUCE VERY
HEAVY RAINS WHICH CAN QUICKLY FLOOD LOW-LYING AREAS AND SMALL STREAMS
AND CREEKS.  IN ADDITION...HAIL...LIGHTNING AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS ARE
POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS AREAS
BELOW 8000 FEET FROM THE WYOMING TO THE NEWF MEXICO BORDER UNTIL 9 PM
MDT.  PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR HEAVY RAINS
AND BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED
OR A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED.
E.T.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 5, 3:04 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUBoulder31 min
Jun 5, 3:30 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUBoulder, Larimer, Weld30 min
Jun 5, 3:30 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUAdams, Jefferson30 min
Jun 5, 3:58 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUBoulder, Larimer, Weld62 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Colorado, 1988Every tornado warning in 1988Tornadoes in 1988

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.