Alert archive / Colorado / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1997

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 36, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

June 12, 1997Morgan County, Weld County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 12, 1997, 5:13 PM MDT for Morgan County, Weld County, Colorado. It was in force for 47 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline the Iowa Environmental Mesonet reconstructed for it; the warning itself named whole counties, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jun 12, 1997, 5:13 PM MDT (23:13 UTC)
Expired
Jun 12, 1997, 6:00 PM MDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Whole counties; the outline is the Mesonet’s reconstruction

Counties Morgan County, CO, Weld County, CO

The radar

The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 109 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:13 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jun 12, 5:20 PM MDTHail 1.75New Raymer, CO

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 12, 12:30 PM MDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 90 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 1997-06-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 48 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 1997-06-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -3 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
48 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-253 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1774 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-3 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
52 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 122315 RRA
SVRDEN
COC087-123-130000-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
513 PM MDT THU JUN 12 1997

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 600 PM MDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE
FOLLOWING COUNTIES...

IN NORTHEAST COLORADO
     EAST CENTRAL WELD AND NORTH CENTRAL MORGAN

INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
     NEW RAYMER

AT 510 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 3 MILES WEST OF NEW RAYMER...OR ABOUT 25 MILES
NORTH OF FORT MORGAN.

AT 510 PM MDT THE PUBLIC REPORTED 1.5" SIZE HAIN IN NEW RAYMER.
THE STORM WAS MOVING SOUTH AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR OF MOST OF EASTERN COLORADO 
UNTIL 6 PM MDT.

REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THEY
WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST
OFFICE IN DENVER.

&

KLEYLA
LAT...LON 4048 10360 4049 10389 4063 10400 4077 10373

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 12, 11:55 AM MDT, 5 hours 18 minutes before
COZ041-121830-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1155 AM MDT THU JUN 12 1997

...THUNDERSTORM WITH POSSIBLE FUNNEL CLOUD IN CENTRAL ELBERT COUNTY...

AT 1152 AM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM OVER KIOWA...OR ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DENVER.
A WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD JUST SOUTH OF THE
ELIZABETH AREA.

THE STORM WAS MOVING EAST AND NORTHEAST AT 15 MILES PER HOUR.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR ELIZABETH AND KIOWA AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE
LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IF BAD
WEATHER APPROACHES. HEAVY RAIN AND HAIL WILL ALSO BE DEVELOPING WITH
THIS STORM.

A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF EASTERN COLORADO UNTIL
6 PM MDT.

ENTREKIN
Special weather statement, Jun 12, 12:01 PM MDT, 5 hours 12 minutes before
COZ041-121830-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1155 AM MDT THU JUN 12 1997

...THUNDERSTORM WITH POSSIBLE FUNNEL CLOUD IN CENTRAL ELBERT COUNTY...

AT 1152 AM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM OVER KIOWA...OR ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DENVER.
A WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD JUST SOUTH OF THE
ELIZABETH AREA.

THE STORM WAS MOVING EAST AND NORTHEAST AT 15 MILES PER HOUR.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR ELIZABETH AND KIOWA AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE
LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IF BAD
WEATHER APPROACHES. HEAVY RAIN AND HAIL WILL ALSO BE DEVELOPING WITH
THIS STORM.

A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF EASTERN COLORADO UNTIL
6 PM MDT.

ENTREKIN
Special weather statement, Jun 12, 12:10 PM MDT, 5 hours 3 minutes before
COZ035-121845-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1210 PM MDT THU JUN 12 1997

...THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING IN EASTERN LARIMER COUNTY...

AT 1210 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM 3 MILES EAST OF POUDRE PARK...OR ABOUT 11 MILES
NORTHWEST OF FORT COLLINS.  SPOTTERS HAVE REPORTED 1/2 HAIL WITH
THIS STORM IN POURDE PARK.  THE STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20
MILES PER HOUR.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR FORT COLLINS...DRAKE...MASONVILLE...POUDRE
PARK...AND WELLINGTON SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IF BAD WEATHER APPROACHES.

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AREA UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS
EVENING.

RJK
Special weather statement, Jun 12, 12:11 PM MDT, 5 hours 2 minutes before
COZ035-121845-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1210 PM MDT THU JUN 12 1997

...THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING IN EASTERN LARIMER COUNTY...

AT 1210 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM 3 MILES EAST OF POUDRE PARK...OR ABOUT 11 MILES
NORTHWEST OF FORT COLLINS.  SPOTTERS HAVE REPORTED 1/2 HAIL WITH
THIS STORM IN POURDE PARK.  THE STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20
MILES PER HOUR.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR FORT COLLINS...DRAKE...MASONVILLE...POUDRE
PARK...AND WELLINGTON SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IF BAD WEATHER APPROACHES.

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AREA UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS
EVENING.

RJK
Special weather statement, Jun 12, 12:30 PM MDT, 4 hours 43 minutes before
COZ045-046-049-121900-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1230 PM MDT THU JUN 12 1997

...THUNDERSTORM IN
     EASTERN ARAPAHOE...NORTHEASTERN ELBERT...NORTH CENTRAL LINCOLN
     AND SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES OF COLORADO

AT 1221 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM 5 MILES EAST OF AGATE...OR ABOUT 16 MILES NORTHWEST OF
LIMON.

THE STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MILES PER HOUR.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR AGATE AND JOLLY RANCH

SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER AND MOVE TO A PLACE
OF SAFETY IF BAD WEATHER APPROACHES.

DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...SMALL HAIL...BRIEF HEAVY RAIN...AND GUSTY WINDS
WILL OCCUR WITH THIS STORM.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF EASTERN COLORADO UNTIL
600 PM MDT.

GARD...WSFO DENVER
Special weather statement, Jun 12, 12:31 PM MDT, 4 hours 42 minutes before
COZ045-046-049-121900-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1230 PM MDT THU JUN 12 1997

...THUNDERSTORM IN
     EASTERN ARAPAHOE...NORTHEASTERN ELBERT...NORTH CENTRAL LINCOLN
     AND SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES OF COLORADO

AT 1221 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM 5 MILES EAST OF AGATE...OR ABOUT 16 MILES NORTHWEST OF
LIMON.

THE STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MILES PER HOUR.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR AGATE AND JOLLY RANCH

SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER AND MOVE TO A PLACE
OF SAFETY IF BAD WEATHER APPROACHES.

DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...SMALL HAIL...BRIEF HEAVY RAIN...AND GUSTY WINDS
WILL OCCUR WITH THIS STORM.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF EASTERN COLORADO UNTIL
600 PM MDT.

GARD...WSFO DENVER

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 12, 2:11 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUArapahoe, Douglas34 min
Jun 12, 2:19 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUWeld41 min
Jun 12, 2:36 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Weld39 min
Jun 12, 2:55 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Denver, Weld50 min
Jun 12, 3:37 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Weld38 min
Jun 12, 3:49 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUWeld41 min
Jun 12, 4:27 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUWeld48 min
Jun 12, 5:24 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUElbert36 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Colorado, 1997Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1997

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.