Alert archive / Colorado / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 16, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this tornado warning at Jun 8, 2026, 5:58 PM MDT for Elbert County, Lincoln County, Colorado. It was in force for 35 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 8, 2026, 5:58 PM MDT (23:58 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 8, 2026, 6:33 PM MDT
- In force
- 35 min
- Issued by
- NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 3.0 in
Counties Elbert County, CO, Lincoln County, CO
The radar
The Denver radar (KFTG), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:05 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 8, 6:22 PM MDT | HAIL 1 | 7 N Limon, CO | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 8, 2:32 PM MDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The text
As transmitted.
537
WFUS55 KBOU 082358
TORBOU
COC039-073-090045-
/O.NEW.KBOU.TO.W.0016.260608T2358Z-260609T0045Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Denver CO
558 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026
The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Eastern Elbert County in east central Colorado...
North Central Lincoln County in east central Colorado...
* Until 645 PM MDT.
* At 558 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles west of Limon, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and three inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
* This tornado will be near...
Limon around 615 PM MDT.
Other locations impacted by the tornado include Cedar Point.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3926 10390 3936 10389 3943 10352 3918 10352
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 271DEG 17KT 3930 10382
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...3.00 IN
$$
Hiris2 follow-up statements
580
WWUS55 KBOU 090013
SVSBOU
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
613 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026
COC039-073-090045-
/O.CON.KBOU.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-260609T0045Z/
Elbert CO-Lincoln CO-
613 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM MDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL ELBERT AND NORTH CENTRAL LINCOLN COUNTIES...
At 613 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Limon, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and three inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic storm will remain over mainly rural areas of East
Central Elbert and North Central Lincoln Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3929 10372 3938 10378 3943 10352 3926 10352
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 267DEG 25KT 3931 10380
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...3.00 IN
$$
Hiris189 WWUS55 KBOU 090033 SVSBOU Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Denver CO 633 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026 COC039-073-090043- /O.CAN.KBOU.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-260609T0045Z/ Elbert CO-Lincoln CO- 633 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026 ...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR EAST CENTRAL ELBERT AND NORTH CENTRAL LINCOLN COUNTIES... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for Lincoln county until 715 PM MDT A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT Monday for a portion of east central Colorado. && LAT...LON 3929 10372 3938 10378 3943 10352 3926 10352 TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 267DEG 25KT 3931 10366 $$ Hiris
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Jun 8, 1:05 PM MDT, 4 hours 53 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Strong to severe thunderstorms expected for the I-25 Corridor and eastern plains this afternoon. However, cooler temperatures may affect convective evolution.
- More heat ahead, with the hottest temperatures Tuesday. Highs generally in the lower to mid 90s across the I-25 Corridor, but just shy of 100 over the northeast plains.
- Widespread critical fire weather conditions expected (>90% confidence) in fuel-prone areas by Tuesday, potentially (60-70% chance) lasting into Wednesday.
- Brief heat relief expected Thursday, before a more substantial cooldown for the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 8, 1:05 PM MDT, 4 hours 53 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 105 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Strong to severe thunderstorms expected for the I-25 Corridor and eastern plains this afternoon. However, cooler temperatures may affect convective evolution. - More heat ahead, with the hottest temperatures Tuesday. Highs generally in the lower to mid 90s across the I-25 Corridor, but just shy of 100 over the northeast plains. - Widespread critical fire weather conditions expected (>90% confidence) in fuel-prone areas by Tuesday, potentially (60-70% chance) lasting into Wednesday. - Brief heat relief expected Thursday, before a more substantial cooldown for the weekend. && .DISCUSSION /Through Monday/... Issued at 1238 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026 Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon across the I-25 Corridor and eastern plains, with supercells capable of producing large to giant hail, damaging outflow winds, and a few tornadoes. Strong southwest flow aloft is currently over Colorado, with a surface low pressure located in southwestern Kansas, allowing easterly winds to advect moisture into the plains (dewpoint temperatures already reaching up to the 50s). MLCAPE values are expected to reach up to 1500-2000 J/kg (better instability east of Denver metro) this afternoon, with 0-6 Km bulk shear up to 50 kts and mid-level lapse rates >8.0 dg C/Km. This will support intense updrafts in supercells, and promote hail sizes up to 2" and damaging outflow winds for the I-25 corridor. Guidance is in good agreement of storms initiating between 1-3 PM along the I-25 Corridor and trekking east through the afternoon. However, current ACARS soundings still show a capped environment due to early morning cloud cover. This could keep any severe threat out of the metro early this afternoon. We will continue to watch to see if the cap can erode in the next few hours. As supercells travel east out of the metro this afternoon, they will be entering an environment more favorable for 3"+ hail and a few tornadoes, as evident in modeled soundings showing better instability and curved hodographs. Areas along and around the I-70 corridor east of the metro have the best chance to see this, where SPC has now upgraded us to an Enhanced risk (3/5) through this evening. As storms continue east this evening, they should organize into a line, where damaging outflow winds will be the main threat. Expect storms to be completely out of the forecast area by 9 PM. Hot temperatures return to the forecast on Tuesday as strong southwest flow aloft promotes downsloping winds and thus compressional heating. Highs are expected to be in the mid-90s, with DIA having the chance to break the daily high record (Record: 95 in 2018; Forecast: 93). With widespread breezy winds and a dry airmass over the region, elevated to critical fire weather conditions are possible across the plains (See Fire Weather Discussion). Isolated thunderstorms are possible Tuesday afternoon across the eastern plains, however little precipitation is expected to reach the ground, given LCLs up to 10K-11K ft AGL and fast storm motions. However, we could have strong outflow wind gusts, given DCAPE values expected to get up to 1500 J/kg. The best chance for the strongest winds will be the far northeastern plains where SPC has put us in a marginal risk (1/5) for severe thunderstorms. A weak cold front overnight Tuesday, will slightly lower temperatures for Wednesday, but still expect highs in the high 80s to low 90s across the plains. A 500-mb jet will be over Colorado, with cross barrier flow of 40-50 kts, resulting in breezy winds across the high terrain. Wind prone areas along the I-25 corridor will likely see some gusty winds throughout the day Wednesday, which could bring another round of elevated to critical fire weather conditions. Zonal flow aloft is expected Thursday and into the weekend as Colorado will be in between an upper level ridge in southern United States and a closed low over northern U.S. and Canada. This will result in relatively quiet conditions across the forecast area, with temperatures generally between 80s to low 90s. Next chance for precipitation looks to be Saturday ahead of an upper level trough. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday/... Issued at 1144 AM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026 Stratus clouds are starting to clear across the TAF sites with KDEN the last to see them breaking up as the western flank remains over the airfield, but should be seeing clearing skies within the next hour. These will play a factor in what happens this afternoon as they have kept temperatures quite modest underneath their cover this morning. We are still expecting temps to warm upon the clearing and we remain under potential for severe thunderstorms to cross the TAF sites this afternoon, with KDEN being upgraded to an enhanced threat by the SPC to include potential for large hail, and in a level two intensity level which signifies the environment will be capable of producing destructive hail 3"+ in size. Both BJC and APA are just outside the level two hatching, but still risk potential for 2"+ sized hail with any storms that develop. With the delayed warming, we may see a delay in convective initiation and timing until we reach convective temps, therefore the PROB30 was continued rather than upgrading to a TEMPO. The best timing for storms to impact airports will be between 21-23Z, but we may still see some impacts through 0Z, and anticipate there may be some gusty outflows that we may need to contend with past that. We can expect CIG to drop as low as 050 with passing storms, and heavy precipitation and large hail will reduce VIS down to about 3SM. Beyond the severe storms this afternoon, expecting winds to transition to the south for the overnight hours before we see them strengthen in magnitude for the majority of the day tomorrow, starting by 15Z, with 25-35kt gusts expected through the afternoon. Additionally, while we are thinking the best chances for precip will be south and east of the TAF sites, but can't rule out high-based showers bringing some gusty and variable winds across the TAF sites in the afternoon. Have introduced VCSH to highlight this potential for now. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1238 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026 Elevated to critical fire weather conditions are expected Tuesday and Wednesday across the plains. Winds could gust up to 30 to 40 mph, with relative humidity values dropping to single digits each afternoon. Recent feedback about fuels status shows that vegetation across the plains are susceptible to combustion, so have opted in to upgrade the Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning. Localized fire weather conditions remain possible on Thursday and Friday due to expected low relative humidity values. However, winds will be the limiting factor as guidance indicates more localized nature of stronger winds. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Tuesday for COZ240>251. && DISCUSSION...MAI AVIATION...9 FIRE WEATHER...MAI
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 8, 4:09 PM MDT, 1 hour 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
409 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 PM Hail 2 E Arvada 39.81N 105.07W
06/08/2026 M1.50 Inch Jefferson CO Public
0341 PM Hail 1 W The Pinery 39.46N 104.75W
06/08/2026 M1.50 Inch Douglas CO NWS Employee
0315 PM Hail 3 W Wheat Ridge 39.79N 105.14W
06/08/2026 E1.25 Inch Jefferson CO Public
&&Local storm report, Jun 8, 4:21 PM MDT, 1 hour 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
421 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0415 PM Hail 4 W The Pinery 39.45N 104.81W
06/08/2026 E1.25 Inch Douglas CO Public
&&Local storm report, Jun 8, 4:28 PM MDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
428 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0422 PM Hail 5 NE Ponderosa Park 39.47N 104.60W
06/08/2026 E1.00 Inch Elbert CO Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0422 PM Hail 10 NE Ponderosa Park 39.51N 104.52W
06/08/2026 E0.88 Inch Elbert CO Public
0415 PM Hail 7 S Boyero 38.82N 103.27W
06/08/2026 E1.25 Inch Lincoln CO Trained Spotter
&&Local storm report, Jun 8, 4:33 PM MDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
433 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0410 PM Hail 1 WSW Fort Lupton 40.08N 104.82W
06/08/2026 E1.25 Inch Weld CO Trained Spotter
&&Local storm report, Jun 8, 5:24 PM MDT, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
524 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0519 PM Hail 13 NNW Simla 39.31N 104.21W
06/08/2026 E2.75 Inch Elbert CO Trained Spotter
&&Local storm report, Jun 8, 5:49 PM MDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
549 PM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0437 PM Hail 7 N Manila Village 39.85N 104.50W
06/08/2026 E1.75 Inch Adams CO Public
&&
AAThe office that day
Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 7, 6:38 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Lincoln | 52 min |
| Jun 7, 6:51 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Morgan | 39 min |
| Jun 7, 7:39 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Logan | 36 min |
| Jun 8, 1:03 PM MDT | Red Flag Warning | BOU | Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert and 7 more | 32 hr |
| Jun 8, 3:14 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Adams, Denver, Jefferson | 46 min |
| Jun 8, 3:16 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert | 44 min |
| Jun 8, 3:19 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert, Lincoln | 41 min |
| Jun 8, 3:29 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Clear Creek, Jefferson | 28 min |
| Jun 8, 3:37 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Adams, Arapahoe, Denver | 23 min |
| Jun 8, 3:51 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Adams, Arapahoe, Denver | 39 min |
| Jun 8, 3:56 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Lincoln | 49 min |
| Jun 8, 3:57 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert | 48 min |
| Jun 8, 4:01 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Adams, Broomfield, Weld | 32 min |
| Jun 8, 4:18 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Lincoln | 25 min |
| Jun 8, 4:19 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Adams, Denver, Morgan, Weld | 41 min |
| Jun 8, 4:20 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Adams, Denver | 115 min |
| Jun 8, 4:29 PM MDT | Tornado Warning | BOU | Elbert | 46 min |
| Jun 8, 4:32 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert | 3 hr |
| Jun 8, 4:42 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Lincoln | 18 min |
| Jun 8, 4:48 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert | 42 min |
| Jun 8, 4:52 PM MDT | Tornado Warning | BOU | Adams | 38 min |
| Jun 8, 4:59 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Adams, Morgan, Weld | 30 min |
| Jun 8, 5:11 PM MDT | Tornado Warning | BOU | Elbert | 49 min |
| Jun 8, 5:14 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert | 46 min |
| Jun 8, 5:28 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Adams, Arapahoe, Morgan | 32 min |
| Jun 8, 5:55 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Arapahoe, Elbert | 3 hr |
| Jun 8, 5:55 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert, Lincoln, Washington | 50 min |
| Jun 8, 5:57 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Morgan, Washington | 30 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Colorado, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026
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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.