Alert archive / Colorado / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 16, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

June 8, 2026Elbert County, Lincoln County, Colorado

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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jun 8, 6:22 PM MDTHAIL 17 N Limon, COReport 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 8, 2:32 PM MDTTornado WatchSPC6 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

$$

Hiris
2 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

$$

Hiris
189 
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

&&

AA

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 7, 6:38 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULincoln52 min
Jun 7, 6:51 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUMorgan39 min
Jun 7, 7:39 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOULogan36 min
Jun 8, 1:03 PM MDTRed Flag WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert and 7 more32 hr
Jun 8, 3:14 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Denver, Jefferson46 min
Jun 8, 3:16 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Douglas, Elbert44 min
Jun 8, 3:19 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUElbert, Lincoln41 min
Jun 8, 3:29 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUClear Creek, Jefferson28 min
Jun 8, 3:37 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver23 min
Jun 8, 3:51 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver39 min
Jun 8, 3:56 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatBOULincoln49 min
Jun 8, 3:57 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Douglas, Elbert48 min
Jun 8, 4:01 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Broomfield, Weld32 min
Jun 8, 4:18 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULincoln25 min
Jun 8, 4:19 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Denver, Morgan, Weld41 min
Jun 8, 4:20 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUAdams, Denver115 min
Jun 8, 4:29 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUElbert46 min
Jun 8, 4:32 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUArapahoe, Douglas, Elbert3 hr
Jun 8, 4:42 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULincoln18 min
Jun 8, 4:48 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatBOUElbert42 min
Jun 8, 4:52 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUAdams38 min
Jun 8, 4:59 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Morgan, Weld30 min
Jun 8, 5:11 PM MDTTornado WarningBOUElbert49 min
Jun 8, 5:14 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatBOUElbert46 min
Jun 8, 5:28 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Morgan32 min
Jun 8, 5:55 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUArapahoe, Elbert3 hr
Jun 8, 5:55 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatBOUElbert, Lincoln, Washington50 min
Jun 8, 5:57 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUMorgan, Washington30 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.