Alert archive / Colorado / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1997

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 57, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

June 14, 1997Logan County, Phillips County, Sedgwick County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 14, 1997, 7:55 PM MDT for Logan County, Phillips County, Sedgwick County, Colorado. It was in force for 45 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 14, 1997, 7:55 PM MDT (01:55 UTC)
Expired
Jun 14, 1997, 8:40 PM MDT
In force
45 min
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Whole counties; the outline is the Mesonet’s reconstruction

Counties Logan County, CO, Phillips County, CO, Sedgwick County, CO

The radar

The Cheyenne radar (KCYS), 174 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:54 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 14, 8:08 PM MDTHail 1.5Fleming, COTrees and crops were damaged but no estimate was available.

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 14, 3:15 PM MDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 00:00Z, 1.9 hours before the alert went out and 105 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 00:00Z on 1997-06-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 70 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 00:00Z on 1997-06-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -71 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
70 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-106 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2413 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
3 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-71 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-39 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 150155
SVRDEN
COC075-095-115-150235-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
755 PM MDT SAT JUN 14 1997

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 840 PM MDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE
FOLLOWING COUNTIES...

IN NORTHEAST COLORADO
     EASTERN LOGAN...WESTERN PHILLIPS AND WESTERN SEDGWICK

INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
     CROOK...FLEMING...HAXTUN...HIGHLAND CENTER...ILIFF...PROCTOR...
     SEDGWICK...ST PETERSBURG AND TWIN BUTTES

AT 750 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE 
OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS CENTRAL LOGAN COUNTY...WITH THE STRONGEST 
STORM LOCATED 10 MILES SOUTH OF ILIFF...OR ABOUT 8 MILES EAST OF 
STERLING.

AT 748 PM MDT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL RELAYED TO THE NATIONAL 
WEATHER SERVICE SEVERAL REPORTS BY THE PUBLIC OF FUNNEL CLOUDS NEAR 
THE TOWN OF PROCTER...OR ABOUT 18 MILES NORTHEAST OF STERLING.

THESE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MILES PER HOUR.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE TORNADOES WITH
LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING. PREPARE TO MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN
A STURDY STRUCTURE SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM IF A
TORNADO IS SPOTTED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHEAST COLORADO UNTIL 9 PM MDT.

VERY LARGE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH 
THESE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...
PUT YOUR CAR IN A GARAGE AND MOVE TO A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER.

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

BAKER
LAT...LON 4100 10246 4046 10260 4048 10309 4067 10316
          4095 10304

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 14, 3:40 PM MDT, 4 hours 15 minutes before
COZ046-047-142210-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
335 PM MDT SAT JUN 14 1997

...THUNDERSTORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE SHORTLY OVER PORTIONS OF
   LINCOLN AND ELBERT COUNTIES...

AT 335 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED AN
AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS STRENGHTENING RAPIDLY OVER SOUTHERN LINCOLN
AND SOUTHERN ELBERT COUNTIES.  THE STRONGEST STORM WAS LOCATED IN
SOUTH CENTRAL ELBERT COUNTY...12 MILES NORTH OF THE TOWN OF RAMAH.

STORMS WERE MOVING NORTH AT 15 TO 20 MPH.

TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL...HEAVY RAIN...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS WILL BE
POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR NEARLY ALL OF NORTHEAST COLORADO
UNTIL 900PM MDT.

BAKER
Special weather statement, Jun 14, 3:45 PM MDT, 4 hours 10 minutes before
COZ035-038-039-142220-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
345 PM MDT SAT JUN 14 1997

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS IN SOUTHEASTERN LARIMER AND CENTRAL BOULDER
COUNTIES...

AT 345 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING OVER RIVERSIDE...OR ABOUT 33 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF FORT COLLINS.  THE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 15
MPH.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR SOUTHERN FORT COLLINS...NORTHWESTERN LONGMONT...
BERTHOUD...DRAKE...GOLD HILL...HARMONY...JAMESTOWN...LOVELAND...
LYONS...MASONVILLE...NEDERLAND...PEACEFUL VALLEY...RAYMOND...TIMNATH
AND WARD SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR LARGE HAIL...STRONG
WINDS...AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES WITH THESE STORMS AND MOVE TO A PLACE
OF SAFETY IF BAD WEATHER APPROACHES.

HEAVY RAINS MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES. AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED ROADS AS THEY
MAY BE WASHED OUT. WATER LEVELS OF SMALL STREAMS AND RIVERS MAY ALSO
RISE...THEREFORE SEEK HIGHER GROUND IF THREATENED BY FLOOD WATERS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHEAST COLORADO
UNTIL 900 PM THIS EVENING.

RJK
Special weather statement, Jun 14, 5:34 PM MDT, 2 hours 21 minutes before
COZ040-140010-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
535 PM MDT SAT JUN 14 1997

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING EASTWARD THROUGH DOUGLAS COUNTY...

AT 530 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING EAST THROUGH DOUGLAS COUNTY.
THE STRONGEST STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF CASTLE
ROCK...OR 34 MILES SOUTH OF DENVER.

THIS LINE OF STORMS WAS MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR CASTLE ROCK...FRANTOWN...LARKSPUR...BEVERLY
HILLS...PARKER...GREENLAND AND SILVER HEIGHTS SHOULD BE ON THE
LOOKOUT FOR LARGE HAIL...VERY STRONG WIND GUSTS...FUNNEL CLOUDS AND
POSSIBLE TORNADOES WITH THESE STORMS AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY
IF BAD WEATHER APPROACHES.

HEAVY RAINS MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES.
AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED ROADS AS THEY
MAY BE WASHED OUT. WATER LEVELS OF SMALL STREAMS AND RIVERS MAY ALSO
RISE...THEREFORE SEEK HIGHER GROUND IF THREATENED BY FLOOD WATERS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHEAST COLORADO
UNTIL 900 PM THIS EVENING.

BAKER
Special weather statement, Jun 14, 5:35 PM MDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
COZ040-140010-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
535 PM MDT SAT JUN 14 1997

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING EASTWARD THROUGH DOUGLAS COUNTY...

AT 530 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING EAST THROUGH DOUGLAS COUNTY.
THE STRONGEST STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF CASTLE
ROCK...OR 34 MILES SOUTH OF DENVER.

THIS LINE OF STORMS WAS MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR CASTLE ROCK...FRANTOWN...LARKSPUR...BEVERLY
HILLS...PARKER...GREENLAND AND SILVER HEIGHTS SHOULD BE ON THE
LOOKOUT FOR LARGE HAIL...VERY STRONG WIND GUSTS...FUNNEL CLOUDS AND
POSSIBLE TORNADOES WITH THESE STORMS AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY
IF BAD WEATHER APPROACHES.

HEAVY RAINS MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES.
AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED ROADS AS THEY
MAY BE WASHED OUT. WATER LEVELS OF SMALL STREAMS AND RIVERS MAY ALSO
RISE...THEREFORE SEEK HIGHER GROUND IF THREATENED BY FLOOD WATERS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHEAST COLORADO
UNTIL 900 PM THIS EVENING.

BAKER
Special weather statement, Jun 14, 7:26 PM MDT, 29 minutes before
COZ045-150200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
726 PM MDT SAT JUN 14 1997

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN EASTERN ADAMS COUNTY...

AT 725 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF SHAMROCK...OR ABOUT 31 MILES SOUTH
OF FORT MORGAN.  THE STORM WAS MOVING EAST AT 15 MILES PER HOUR.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR LEADER AND SHAMROCK SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
THREATENING WEATHER AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IF BAD WEATHER
APPROACHES.  THIS AFTERNOONS THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA HAVE HAD
A HISTORY OF PRODUCING HAIL UP TO 1 1/2 INCHES IN  DIAMETER AND
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF AROUND 1 INCH.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHEASTERN COLORADO UNTIL
900 PM.

RJK
Special weather statement, Jun 14, 7:28 PM MDT, 27 minutes before
COZ045-150200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
726 PM MDT SAT JUN 14 1997

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN EASTERN ADAMS COUNTY...

AT 725 PM MDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF SHAMROCK...OR ABOUT 31 MILES SOUTH
OF FORT MORGAN.  THE STORM WAS MOVING EAST AT 15 MILES PER HOUR.

PERSONS IN OR NEAR LEADER AND SHAMROCK SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
THREATENING WEATHER AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IF BAD WEATHER
APPROACHES.  THIS AFTERNOON'S THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA HAVE HAD
A HISTORY OF PRODUCING HAIL UP TO 1 1/2 INCHES IN  DIAMETER AND
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF AROUND 1 INCH.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHEASTERN COLORADO UNTIL
900 PM.

RJK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 14, 6:05 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUMorgan, Weld35 min
Jun 14, 7:35 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Washington25 min
Jun 14, 8:52 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULogan, Phillips, Sedgwick38 min
Jun 14, 9:38 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUPhillips27 min
Jun 15, 12:33 AM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUPhillips3 hr
Jun 15, 3:25 AM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUPhillips2 hr
Jun 15, 5:23 AM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUPhillips3 hr
Jun 15, 1:41 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULarimer, Weld34 min
Jun 15, 3:11 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Boulder, Weld34 min
Jun 15, 3:20 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUAdams, Weld25 min
Jun 15, 3:20 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUBoulder25 min
Jun 15, 3:53 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Weld32 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.