Alert archive / Colorado / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 49, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 23, 2025, 6:10 PM MDT for Washington County, Colorado. It was in force for 23 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- May 23, 2025, 6:10 PM MDT (00:10 UTC)
- Expired
- May 23, 2025, 6:33 PM MDT
- In force
- 23 min
- Issued by
- NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Hail
- 1.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
County Washington County, CO
The radar
The Goodland radar (KGLD), 149 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:10 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2:59 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Dodge City, (KDDC), launched 00:00Z, 0.2 hours before the alert went out and 385 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1054 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -196 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1070 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 45 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 104 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 194 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 1.1
The text
As transmitted.
139
WUUS55 KBOU 240010
SVRBOU
COC121-240100-
/O.NEW.KBOU.SV.W.0049.250524T0010Z-250524T0100Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Denver CO
610 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025
The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northeastern Washington County in northeastern Colorado...
* Until 700 PM MDT.
* At 610 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Burdett, or
19 miles northeast of Akron, moving southeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Golf ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect
hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles.
Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Lone Star and Burdett.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Anyone outdoors should move to shelter inside a well-built structure
and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing
dangerous hail and damaging winds.
&&
LAT...LON 4037 10306 4044 10290 4044 10278 4035 10278
4035 10279 4013 10279
TIME...MOT...LOC 0010Z 320DEG 18KT 4034 10294
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Barjenbruch1 follow-up statement
262
WWUS55 KBOU 240033
SVSBOU
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
633 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025
COC121-240043-
/O.CAN.KBOU.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-250524T0100Z/
Washington CO-
633 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR FAR NORTHEASTERN
WASHINGTON COUNTY...
The Severe Thunderstorm Warning that was previously in effect has
been reissued for Washington County and is in effect until 715 PM
MDT. Please refer to that bulletin for the latest severe weather
information.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT
Friday for a portion of northeast Colorado.
&&
LAT...LON 4037 10306 4044 10290 4044 10278 4035 10278
4035 10279 4013 10279
TIME...MOT...LOC 0010Z 320DEG 18KT 4033 10294
$$
BarjenbruchWhat 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.
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 23, 3:23 PM MDT, 2 hours 47 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A couple supercells likely this afternoon across the northeastern portions of the plains. Large hail is the main threat, but an isolated tornado or two remain possible.
- A conditional severe threat Saturday across most of the plains and I-25 corridor.
- Higher shower and storm coverage through the Memorial Day Weekend, along with cool temperatures.
- Gradual warming next week with more typical shower/storm coverage each afternoon and evening.
Area forecast discussion, May 23, 3:23 PM MDT, 2 hours 47 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 323 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - A couple supercells likely this afternoon across the northeastern portions of the plains. Large hail is the main threat, but an isolated tornado or two remain possible. - A conditional severe threat Saturday across most of the plains and I-25 corridor. - Higher shower and storm coverage through the Memorial Day Weekend, along with cool temperatures. - Gradual warming next week with more typical shower/storm coverage each afternoon and evening. && .SHORT TERM /Through Saturday/... Issued at 302 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025 For the most part, things continue to progress as expected this afternoon. Across the metro, it's been a little slower to warm up, with the near-surface inversion just a touch stronger than guidance had suggested. Temperatures have made it into the upper 70s/low 80s so far, and high temperatures are still expected to make it into the low/mid 80s for most locations later this afternoon (high so far at DEN is 82F). Meanwhile, the more interesting part of the forecast will unfold over the next few hours. Convection has already developed across Elbert county, where SPC Mesoanalysis suggests the inversion/cap has eroded better than anticipated. With guidance not handling this well, it's difficult to say how this will evolve as it drifts towards the better moisture/instability axis, but at least a marginal severe threat exists along/south of I-70 into Lincoln county this afternoon and evening. The convection north of Cheyenne still looks to be the main show this afternoon. Guidance has been remarkably consistent, with a dominant supercell or two eventually emerging from the currently disorganized TS, which then turn right and drop southeastward into the northeast corner of Colorado. Though there remains some modest capping in the region, continued daytime heating along with some surface moisture convergence should continue to erode what little cap remains. In general, the parameter space is largely favorable for severe convection, with MLCAPE exceeding 2000 J/kg along with ample deep layer shear. There may be some brief potential for a tornado or two, with some sort of boundary noted on KFTG radar near STK-AKO. As we move onto tonight, deep boundary layer moisture is expected to advect into the region as east-southeasterly flow strengthens (potentially aided by convective outflow across eastern Colorado). While this will increase surface dew points into the upper 40s/low 50s across the Denver metro, it will also lead to widespread stratus... making tomorrow's forecast difficult. We'll almost certainly start the forecast period socked in stratus across most of the lower elevations. Guidance, like just about every other time we have this setup, provides a large range of solutions but little in the way of any clear signal. There are generally two schools of thought here, depending on your perspective. The first would be that the continued southeasterly surface flow eventually forces some stratus breakout by mid/late morning, leading to widespread destabilization across the I-25 corridor and adjacent plains by midday. Guidance in this camp paints quite a favorable setup across most of the metro and plains, with good CAPE/bulk shear profiles and curved hodographs. If this were the case, scattered supercells would be a favored storm type with hail as the primary threat. On the other hand, a deeper stratus deck that doesn't manage to burn off would lead to significant capping (12z NAMnest solution) with a few weak thunderstorms across the lower elevations. As is normally the case, we'll likely have a better idea by tomorrow morning. Temperatures will be cooler than today either way, but should reach the upper 60s to low 70s. && .LONG TERM /Saturday night through Friday/... Issued at 302 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025 Cooler weather will prevail for Sunday and Memorial Day as an upper trough continues to slowly move eastward towards the CWA. Sunday looks to be the coolest day of the week, as a thicker stratus deck is likely to form Saturday night (especially if additional moisture/precip is added from convection). There's enough forcing to support widespread showers and a few storms in the afternoon with skinny CAPE profiles across the lower elevations. The overall pattern doesn't change significantly Monday, with temperatures again in the 60s and additional chances for afternoon showers/storms. We probably won't have a good handle on any timing/severity of storms for another day or two, so those with outdoor activities planned should continue to check back for further updates. Model solutions gradually diverge into next week, though most ensemble guidance would suggest at least chances for showers/storms during the afternoon/evening hours... not all that atypical for late May in Colorado. A gradual warming trend is expected through the week, with potentially warmer weather looming as we get to next weekend with hints of a larger ridge developing in that timeframe. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday/... Issued at 1138 AM MDT Fri May 23 2025 VFR today. Winds are light and variable this morning, and should remain fairly weak through most of the day. Main concern this afternoon and evening is for some stronger east/northeasterlies as convective outflow attempts to push in from northeast Colorado. The stronger gusts would likely last for only an hour or two, with steadier easterly flow behind it. By tonight, guidance is in good agreement in advecting a stratus deck into the terminals. This generally looks to be near/after 06z, with generally MVFR/IFR cigs. Can't completely rule out some LIFR cigs at some point overnight but will watch model trends in the meantime. Stratus should slowly erode tomorrow morning, especially if some sort of diffuse Denver cyclone/southeasterly flow can develop across the metro. Any afternoon convection will be highly dependent on stratus evolution during the day. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...Hiris LONG TERM...Hiris AVIATION...Hiris
Hazardous weather outlook, May 23, 9:04 AM MDT, 9 hours 6 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 904 AM MDT Fri May 23 2025 COZ030>051-241515- Jackson County Below 9000 Feet- West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet- Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet- South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/ Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet- South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/ Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above 9000 Feet-Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet- Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet- Central and Southeast Park County- Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County- Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield County- North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County- Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet- Northeast Weld County-Central and South Weld County-Morgan County- Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties- North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln County- Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County- Logan County-Washington County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County- 904 AM MDT Fri May 23 2025 This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A couple strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon across far northeastern Colorado, mainly along and east of a line from Sterling to Akron. Large hail and gusty winds will be the main threats from storms this afternoon. Across the Denver metro, dry weather is expected with highs in the mid 80s. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will increase Saturday, with a few severe storms possible along the Front Range into the eastern plains. Scattered to numerous showers and storms can then be expected through Sunday, but cooler weather will likely limit instability and any severe storm threat. Memorial day should see a little lower shower and storm coverage, with temperatures remaining a few degrees below normal. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight, but any reports of hail or wind will be appreciated.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 23, 5:00 PM MDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
500 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0457 PM Hail 1 SW Pawnee Pass 40.61N 103.50W
05/23/2025 E2.00 Inch Logan CO Public
Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.).
0458 PM Hail 1 SW Pawnee Pass 40.62N 103.49W
05/23/2025 E1.75 Inch Logan CO Public
Report from mPING: Golf Ball (1.75 in.).
&&Local storm report, May 23, 5:06 PM MDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
506 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0505 PM Hail 1 E Pawnee Pass 40.62N 103.46W
05/23/2025 E1.00 Inch Logan CO Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
&&Local storm report, May 23, 5:25 PM MDT, 45 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
525 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0509 PM Hail 2 E Pawnee Pass 40.62N 103.45W
05/23/2025 E3.00 Inch Logan CO Public
Report from mPING: Tea Cup (3.00 in.).
&&Local storm report, May 23, 5:27 PM MDT, 43 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
527 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0525 PM Hail 4 W Atwood 40.55N 103.34W
05/23/2025 E2.50 Inch Logan CO Public
Report from mPING: Tennis Ball (2.50 in.).
0523 PM Hail 4 S Logan Corners 40.57N 103.35W
05/23/2025 E2.00 Inch Logan CO Public
Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.).
&&Local storm report, May 23, 5:33 PM MDT, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
533 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM Hail Atwood 40.54N 103.27W
05/23/2025 E1.00 Inch Logan CO Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0530 PM Hail Merino 40.48N 103.35W
05/23/2025 E2.00 Inch Logan CO Public
Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.).
&&Local storm report, May 23, 6:04 PM MDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
604 PM MDT Fri May 23 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0603 PM Hail Akron 40.16N 103.21W
05/23/2025 E1.75 Inch Washington CO Public
Report from mPING: Golf Ball (1.75 in.).
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 6:30 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Washington | 45 min |
| May 24, 1:28 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Douglas | 47 min |
| May 24, 2:11 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Elbert | 49 min |
| May 24, 2:29 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert | 46 min |
| May 24, 2:49 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Douglas | 41 min |
| May 24, 3:15 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Elbert | 45 min |
| May 24, 3:32 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Elbert | 43 min |
| May 24, 3:47 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert | 43 min |
| May 24, 4:28 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert | 47 min |
| May 24, 5:09 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Jefferson | 51 min |
| May 24, 5:53 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Douglas | 37 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Colorado, 2025Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2025
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.