Alert archive / Colorado / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 67, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

July 20, 20094 counties in Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this tornado warning at Jul 20, 2009, 10:22 PM MDT for 4 counties in Colorado. It was in force for 25 min. 4 reports 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
Jul 20, 2009, 10:22 PM MDT (04:22 UTC)
Expired
Jul 20, 2009, 10:47 PM MDT
In force
25 min
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Adams County, CO, Arapahoe County, CO, Denver County, CO, Jefferson County, CO

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 46 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:23 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
Jul 20, 10:22 PM MDTHAIL 1Arvada, COROOF DAMAGE. SKY LIGHTS ON RV BLOWN OUT.
Jul 20, 10:26 PM MDTHAIL 0.75Nne Lakewood, CO
Jul 20, 10:28 PM MDTHAIL 16 Wsw Denver, CODENTED CARS. BROKEN WINDOWS. DAMAGED SHINGLES.
Jul 20, 10:38 PM MDTHAIL 1Arvada, CO

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

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 00:00Z, 4.4 hours before the alert went out and 159 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 2009-07-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 18 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 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 2009-07-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 38 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
18 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-77 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3234 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
38 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
68 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 
WFUS55 KBOU 210422
TORBOU
COC001-005-031-059-210515-
/O.NEW.KBOU.TO.W.0067.090721T0422Z-090721T0515Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1022 PM MDT MON JUL 20 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY IN NORTHEAST COLORADO
  EXTREME WEST CENTRAL ARAPAHOE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST COLORADO
  EXTREME WEST CENTRAL ADAMS COUNTY IN NORTHEAST COLORADO
  SOUTHWESTERN DENVER COUNTY IN NORTHEAST COLORADO

* UNTIL 1115 PM MDT

* AT 1023 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO OVER NORTHERN
  LAKEWOOD...OR 9 MILES WEST OF DENVER. THIS STORM WAS MOVING
  SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SHERIDAN...
  RED ROCKS PARK...MORRISON...FEDERAL HEIGHTS...WHEAT RIDGE...
  SOUTHERN WESTMINSTER...NORTHERN LITTLETON...LAKEWOOD...EASTERN
  GOLDEN...ENGLEWOOD...WESTERN DENVER AND ARVADA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

&&

LAT...LON 3961 10496 3960 10521 3980 10522 3988 10502
TIME...MOT...LOC 0423Z 310DEG 26KT 3974 10512

$$
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS55 KBOU 210427
SVSBOU

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1027 PM MDT MON JUL 20 2009

COC001-005-031-059-210515-
/O.CON.KBOU.TO.W.0067.000000T0000Z-090721T0515Z/
JEFFERSON CO-ARAPAHOE CO-ADAMS CO-DENVER CO-
1027 PM MDT MON JUL 20 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM MDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN DENVER...EXTREME WEST CENTRAL ADAMS...EXTREME WEST
CENTRAL ARAPAHOE AND EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTIES...

AT 1027 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED OVER CENTRAL LAKEWOOD...OR 8 MILES WEST OF DENVER. THIS STORM
WAS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH.

LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
SHERIDAN...RED ROCKS PARK...MORRISON...NORTHWESTERN CENTENNIAL...
WHEAT RIDGE...SOUTHERN WESTMINSTER...NORTHERN LITTLETON...LAKEWOOD...
EASTERN GOLDEN...ENGLEWOOD...WESTERN DENVER AND ARVADA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

&&

LAT...LON 3961 10496 3960 10521 3980 10522 3988 10502
TIME...MOT...LOC 0427Z 310DEG 26KT 3971 10511

$$
000 
WWUS55 KBOU 210436 CCA
SVSBOU

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1027 PM MDT MON JUL 20 2009

COC001-005-031-059-210515-
/O.COR.KBOU.TO.W.0067.000000T0000Z-090721T0515Z/
JEFFERSON CO-ARAPAHOE CO-ADAMS CO-DENVER CO-
1027 PM MDT MON JUL 20 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM MDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN DENVER...EXTREME WEST CENTRAL ADAMS...EXTREME WEST
CENTRAL ARAPAHOE AND EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTIES...

AT 1027 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED OVER CENTRAL LAKEWOOD...OR 10 MILES WEST OF DENVER. THIS
STORM WAS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
SHERIDAN...RED ROCKS PARK...MORRISON...NORTHWESTERN CENTENNIAL...
WHEAT RIDGE...SOUTHERN WESTMINSTER...NORTHERN LITTLETON...LAKEWOOD...
EASTERN GOLDEN...ENGLEWOOD...WESTERN DENVER AND ARVADA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

&&

LAT...LON 3961 10496 3960 10521 3980 10522 3988 10502
TIME...MOT...LOC 0427Z 310DEG 26KT 3968 10514

$$
000 
WWUS55 KBOU 210447
SVSBOU

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
1047 PM MDT MON JUL 20 2009

COC001-005-031-059-210458-
/O.CAN.KBOU.TO.W.0067.000000T0000Z-090721T0515Z/
JEFFERSON CO-ARAPAHOE CO-ADAMS CO-DENVER CO-
1047 PM MDT MON JUL 20 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN DENVER...EXTREME WEST CENTRAL
ADAMS...EXTREME WEST CENTRAL ARAPAHOE AND EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE THUNDERSTORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS EXITED THE AREA.

LAT...LON 3961 10496 3960 10521 3980 10522 3988 10502
TIME...MOT...LOC 0448Z 310DEG 26KT 3958 10499

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 20, 9:47 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUBroomfield28 min
Jul 20, 9:56 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUBroomfield, Weld34 min
Jul 20, 10:04 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULarimer, Weld41 min
Jul 20, 10:06 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUBoulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson39 min
Jul 20, 10:24 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver, Weld51 min
Jul 20, 10:31 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUWeld44 min
Jul 20, 10:34 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULarimer, Weld86 min
Jul 20, 10:39 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver, Jefferson81 min
Jul 20, 10:43 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson47 min
Jul 20, 10:56 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUWeld34 min
Jul 20, 11:18 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUArapahoe, Douglas, Elbert117 min
Jul 20, 11:24 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUDouglas51 min
Jul 20, 11:27 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Denver31 min
Jul 20, 11:36 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUDouglas24 min
Jul 21, 12:02 AM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver, Weld88 min
Jul 21, 3:28 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUDouglas47 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Colorado, 2009Every tornado warning in 2009Tornadoes in 2009

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.