Alert archive / Colorado / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 77, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

August 17, 2009Elbert County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this tornado warning at Aug 17, 2009, 6:23 PM MDT for Elbert County, Colorado. It was in force for 37 min. 2 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
Aug 17, 2009, 6:23 PM MDT (00:23 UTC)
Expired
Aug 17, 2009, 7:00 PM MDT
In force
37 min
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Elbert County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:22 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
Aug 17, 6:28 PM MDTTORNADO10 Nw Kutch, COTORNADO ON GROUND FOR 6 MINUTES
Aug 17, 7:10 PM MDTTSTM WND GST 724 E Kutch, 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, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 108 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 2009-08-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 395 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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 2009-08-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 3 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
395 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-23 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1610 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
3 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
82 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS55 KBOU 180023
TORBOU
COC039-180100-
/O.NEW.KBOU.TO.W.0077.090818T0023Z-090818T0100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
623 PM MDT MON AUG 17 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN ELBERT COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL COLORADO

* UNTIL 700 PM MDT

* AT 623 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 9 MILES
  NORTHWEST OF KUTCH...OR 22 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LIMON. THIS STORM WAS
  MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO KUTCH.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3912 10372 3888 10373 3888 10405 3911 10403
TIME...MOT...LOC 0023Z 234DEG 13KT 3902 10396

$$
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS55 KBOU 180029
SVSBOU

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
629 PM MDT MON AUG 17 2009

COC039-180100-
/O.CON.KBOU.TO.W.0077.000000T0000Z-090818T0100Z/
ELBERT CO-
629 PM MDT MON AUG 17 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM MDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ELBERT COUNTY...

AT 628 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF KUTCH...OR 24 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LIMON.
THIS STORM WAS MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
KUTCH.

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 UP TO TENNIS BALLS AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS 
TO 70 MPH.

&&

LAT...LON 3912 10372 3888 10373 3888 10405 3911 10403
TIME...MOT...LOC 0028Z 268DEG 10KT 3898 10395

$$
000 
WWUS55 KBOU 180036
SVSBOU

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
636 PM MDT MON AUG 17 2009

COC039-180100-
/O.CON.KBOU.TO.W.0077.000000T0000Z-090818T0100Z/
ELBERT CO-
636 PM MDT MON AUG 17 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM MDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ELBERT COUNTY...

AT 635 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF KUTCH...OR 23 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LIMON.
THIS STORM WAS MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
KUTCH.

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 UP TO BASEBALLS AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN 
EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

&&

LAT...LON 3912 10372 3888 10373 3888 10405 3911 10403
TIME...MOT...LOC 0035Z 268DEG 10KT 3898 10393

$$
000 
WWUS55 KBOU 180049
SVSBOU

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
649 PM MDT MON AUG 17 2009

COC039-180100-
/O.CON.KBOU.TO.W.0077.000000T0000Z-090818T0100Z/
ELBERT CO-
649 PM MDT MON AUG 17 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM MDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ELBERT COUNTY...

AT 648 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED 5 MILES NORTH OF KUTCH...OR 23 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LIMON. THIS
STORM WAS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH AND PRODUCED A TORNADO EARLIER 
NORTHWEST OF KUTCH.

LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
KUTCH.

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 UP TO BASEBALLS AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN 
EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

&&

LAT...LON 3912 10372 3888 10373 3888 10405 3911 10403
TIME...MOT...LOC 0048Z 278DEG 10KT 3897 10389

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 6:03 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe27 min
Aug 17, 6:07 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUElbert38 min
Aug 17, 6:27 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe48 min
Aug 17, 6:32 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUMorgan, Washington43 min
Aug 17, 6:46 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe29 min
Aug 17, 6:59 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUElbert, Lincoln31 min
Aug 17, 7:14 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULogan, Washington46 min
Aug 17, 7:28 PM MDTTornado WarningBOULincoln32 min
Aug 17, 7:45 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Elbert45 min
Aug 17, 7:55 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULogan, Washington27 min
Aug 17, 7:59 PM MDTTornado WarningBOULincoln46 min
Aug 17, 8:15 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOULincoln3 hr
Aug 17, 8:44 PM MDTTornado WarningBOULincoln31 min
Aug 17, 9:15 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULincoln29 min
Aug 17, 9:27 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUDouglas48 min
Aug 17, 10:00 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUDouglas30 min
Aug 17, 10:21 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUElbert29 min
Aug 18, 2:07 AM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULincoln53 min
Aug 18, 12:39 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUDenver, Jefferson36 min
Aug 18, 1:10 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson22 min
Aug 18, 1:16 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUPark24 min
Aug 18, 3:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUElbert44 min
Aug 18, 4:22 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULincoln53 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.