Alert archive / Colorado / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 36, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

June 20, 2008Adams County, Arapahoe County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this tornado warning at Jun 20, 2008, 6:43 PM MDT for Adams County, Arapahoe County, Colorado. It was in force for 38 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jun 20, 2008, 6:43 PM MDT (00:43 UTC)
Expired
Jun 20, 2008, 7:21 PM MDT
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Adams County, CO, Arapahoe County, CO

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:45 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 20, 6:50 PM MDTTORNADO11 Ne Deer Trail, CO

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 19, 6:22 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC27 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 00:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 55 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 2008-06-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 515 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Denver, CO at 00:00Z on 2008-06-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -13 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
515 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-15 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2747 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-13 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
105 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS55 KBOU 210043
TORBOU
COC001-005-210130-
/O.NEW.KBOU.TO.W.0036.080621T0043Z-080621T0130Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
643 PM MDT FRI JUN 20 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN ARAPAHOE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST COLORADO
  SOUTHEASTERN ADAMS COUNTY IN NORTHEAST COLORADO

* UNTIL 730 PM MDT

* AT 643 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO OVER
  SOUTHEASTERN ADAMS COUNTY...OR 35 MILES SOUTH OF FORT MORGAN. THIS
  STORM WAS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF THE
  WARNED COUNTIES.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SAFE SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN
THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR
HANDS.

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE
DAMAGING HAIL UP TO GOLFBALL SIZE AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE 
WINDS UP TO 70 MPH.

LAT...LON 3957 10371 3957 10400 3984 10400 3985 10371
TIME...MOT...LOC 0043Z 303DEG 18KT 3976 10388

$$

RPK
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS55 KBOU 210056
SVSBOU

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
656 PM MDT FRI JUN 20 2008

COC001-210105-
/O.CAN.KBOU.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-080621T0130Z/
ADAMS CO-
655 PM MDT FRI JUN 20 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ADAMS COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

LAT...LON 3957 10371 3957 10400 3974 10399 3974 10371
TIME...MOT...LOC 0055Z 303DEG 18KT 3965 10384

$$

COC005-210130-
/O.CON.KBOU.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-080621T0130Z/
ARAPAHOE CO-
655 PM MDT FRI JUN 20 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM MDT FOR EASTERN
ARAPAHOE COUNTY...

AT 655 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS
STORM WAS LOCATED OVER EAST CENTRAL ARAPAHOE COUNTY...OR 28 MILES
NORTH OF LIMON. THIS STORM WAS MOVING SOUTH AT 30 MPH.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF THE
WARNED COUNTY.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE
DAMAGING HAIL UP TO GOLFBALL SIZE AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE 
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

LAT...LON 3957 10371 3957 10400 3974 10399 3974 10371
TIME...MOT...LOC 0055Z 303DEG 18KT 3965 10384

$$

RPK
000 
WWUS55 KBOU 210107
SVSBOU

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
707 PM MDT FRI JUN 20 2008

COC005-210130-
/O.CON.KBOU.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-080621T0130Z/
ARAPAHOE CO-
706 PM MDT FRI JUN 20 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM MDT FOR EASTERN
ARAPAHOE COUNTY...

AT 706 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS
STORM WAS LOCATED OVER EAST CENTRAL ARAPAHOE COUNTY...OR 24 MILES 
NORTH OF LIMON. THIS STORM WAS MOVING SOUTH SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF THE
WARNED COUNTY.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE
DAMAGING HAIL UP TO GOLFBALL SIZE AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE 
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

LAT...LON 3957 10371 3957 10400 3974 10399 3974 10371
TIME...MOT...LOC 0106Z 303DEG 18KT 3962 10378

$$

RPK
000 
WWUS55 KBOU 210121
SVSBOU

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
721 PM MDT FRI JUN 20 2008

COC005-210130-
/O.CAN.KBOU.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-080621T0130Z/
ARAPAHOE CO-
720 PM MDT FRI JUN 20 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN ARAPAHOE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

THE THUNDERSTORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS EXITED THE AREA AND 
MOVED INTO NORTHEAST ELBERT AND NORTHWEST LINCOLN COUNTIES.

LAT...LON 3957 10371 3957 10400 3974 10399 3974 10371
TIME...MOT...LOC 0120Z 303DEG 18KT 3958 10370

$$

RPK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 20, 6:03 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUAdams42 min
Jun 20, 7:03 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUElbert, Lincoln, Washington42 min
Jun 20, 7:37 PM MDTTornado WarningBOULincoln38 min
Jun 20, 7:43 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUWeld37 min
Jun 20, 8:16 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULincoln44 min
Jun 20, 8:26 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe49 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Colorado, 2008Every tornado warning in 2008Tornadoes in 2008

Sources

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