Alert archive / Colorado / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 30, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this tornado warning at Jul 3, 2026, 7:50 PM MDT for Washington County, Colorado. It was in force for 25 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
- Jul 3, 2026, 7:50 PM MDT (01:50 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 3, 2026, 8:15 PM MDT
- In force
- 25 min
- Issued by
- NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.25 in
County Washington County, CO
The radar
The Denver radar (KFTG), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:52 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 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 nearest sounding before it
N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), launched 00:00Z, 1.8 hours before the alert went out and 251 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
- 1785 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -88 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1714 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -57 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 22 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- -0.0
- Supercell composite
- -1.3
The text
As transmitted.
647
WFUS55 KBOU 040150
TORBOU
COC121-040215-
/O.NEW.KBOU.TO.W.0030.260704T0150Z-260704T0215Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Denver CO
750 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
North Central Washington County in northeastern Colorado...
* Until 815 PM MDT.
* At 750 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Hillrose, or 17 miles northwest of Akron, moving
northeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar size 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.
* Locations impacted include...
Mainly rural areas of North Central Washington County.
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 4034 10347 4043 10331 4030 10326 4028 10347
TIME...MOT...LOC 0150Z 239DEG 9KT 4031 10347
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
$$
BRQ2 follow-up statements
125
WWUS55 KBOU 040201
SVSBOU
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
801 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
COC121-040215-
/O.CON.KBOU.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260704T0215Z/
Washington CO-
801 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM MDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTY...
At 801 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles north of Midway, or 15 miles northwest of Akron,
moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Mainly rural areas of North Central Washington County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4034 10347 4043 10331 4030 10326 4028 10347
TIME...MOT...LOC 0150Z 249DEG 13KT 4031 10345
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
$$
63259 WWUS55 KBOU 040212 SVSBOU Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Denver CO 812 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026 COC121-040222- /O.EXP.KBOU.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260704T0215Z/ Washington CO- 812 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026 ...TORNADO WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 815 PM MDT FOR NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTY... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm. && LAT...LON 4034 10347 4043 10331 4030 10326 4028 10347 TIME...MOT...LOC 0201Z 249DEG 13KT 4032 10340 $$ 63
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 Jul 3, 6:27 PM MDT, 1 hour 23 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Last day of critical fire weather conditions as winds gradually relax. However, still plenty of hot, dry weather ahead.
- Another round of nocturnal (and potentially severe) convection possible tonight.
- Scattered strong to severe storms expected for the afternoon and early evening of the 4th.
- A few storms expected each day of the coming week, with the highest probabilities shaping up for Tuesday and Wednesday from the Front Range eastward.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 3, 6:27 PM MDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 627 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Last day of critical fire weather conditions as winds gradually relax. However, still plenty of hot, dry weather ahead. - Another round of nocturnal (and potentially severe) convection possible tonight. - Scattered strong to severe storms expected for the afternoon and early evening of the 4th. - A few storms expected each day of the coming week, with the highest probabilities shaping up for Tuesday and Wednesday from the Front Range eastward. && .DISCUSSION /Through Friday/... Issued at 233 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026 Another day (and night) of uncertainty with regard to convective development. CAMs have not been doing a great job of assessing potential and duration of nocturnal convection, and amount of low level moisture surging westward from MCSs in the Central/High Plains the last couple of nights. As of early this afternoon, weak convection has been developing over the northern mountains and foothills. As that moves east onto the plains, a couple storms are expected to tap into the higher MLCAPE near 1500-2000 J/kg and become severe late this afternoon into early evening. Where more uncertainty enters the forecast is overnight, and that's when a couple pieces of the puzzle attempt to come together and produce another round of strong to potentially severe storms. That potential would extend farther west toward the I-25 Corridor. That would be fueled by outflow from the initial round of storms over the northern tier of Colorado, and potentially another outflow from a more organized storm complex (MCS) over Nebraska. That second surge would likely arrive later in the evening, and that could spark storms that linger well past midnight. At the same time, we'll also have some upper level support from the left exit region of an upper level speed max. While weakly capped, the lift from any upslope would likely be enough to break through and initiate more storms. MLCAPE by that time would be a little lower (800-1600 J/kg), but still enough for a couple strong to severe storms that linger well past midnight. Saturday, the 4th of July, is still shaping up to serve up some of nature's fireworks. It will likely be a more active thunderstorm day with higher MLCAPE across the Front Range and adjacent plains. Some patchy morning stratus is possible, but not enough to significantly impact warming and cap erosion by early to mid afternoon. MLCAPE is forecast to increase to 1500-2000 J/kg along/east of the I-25 Corridor, but at the same time there is plenty of uncertainty with exactly how far west the greatest moisture and instability can hold (highly dependent on strength of surges tonight). Most likely, deeper instability holds roughly east of I-25, with lesser certainty west of I-25. We think storm initiation will be in/very close to the Front Range Mountains and Foothills by early afternoon, with eastward propagation across the plains from mid afternoon through early evening. 0-6km bulk shear is forecast to increase to 30-35 kts, enough for supercell development. Initial isolated severe storms are expected to have a large hail threat, and those storms may then attempt to organize into a linear structure onto the plains with a greater high wind threat (in addition to the hail). A failure mode would be if the airmass remains too capped due to weak synoptic subsidence seen arriving in the afternoon. Anyone planning outdoor celebrations or activities tomorrow should remain weather aware and be prepared to take shelter or move off open waters before storms arrive. Finally, with the above mentioned arrival of subsidence, we do think the vast majority of storms should clear the forecast area before dark and any fireworks shows. By Sunday and Monday, upper level ridging builds across Colorado. While this will tend to stabilize things a bit, it will still be hot and residual moisture means a continued chance of storms each afternoon and evening. Typically this pattern has the most convection occurring over Park County and the Front Range Mountains into the Palmer Divide area, with lower probabilities to the north and east. High temperatures will likely reach the 90-95 degree range over the plains, after just slight cooling (near normal temps) for Saturday. For Tuesday and Wednesday, the upper level ridge is forecast to flatten with weak zonal flow developing across the forecast area. As low level moisture remains locked in east of the Rockies, instability builds slightly and shear improves so scattered thunderstorms are expected both days with potential for a couple severe storms. Temperatures will remain a few degrees above normal. Drying is expected for the latter portion of the weak as there is growing confidence we remain under zonal flow aloft. Some lee troughing is also forecast, which means the greatest chance of storms will likely shift to the eastern plains while drier air and a return of elevated fire weather conditions (with increasing breezes) is expected over the high country. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday/... Issued at 625 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026 Current radar imagery shows showers and thunderstorms developing east of the Denver metro area, over the northern Colorado plains, and off the foothills near the I-25 corridor. One of these thunderstorms just tracked over KDEN, and has exited the vicinity to the northeast. The chance for a thunderstorm near the terminals will increase between 02Z and 05Z, as outflow boundaries from the storm activity to the southeast and another boundary moving in from the north collide and fire up additional convection. A similar setup will be in place tomorrow with winds starting out SW or variable before becoming ENE-E at KDEN and S-SE at KAPA. Winds at KBJC will likely turn to the NE and remain light, as has occurred over the last few afternoons with a cyclone near KDEN and KAPA. Another round of thunderstorms is expected tomorrow afternoon, with the peak of activity occurring slightly earlier than today, between 19Z and 01Z. Gusty outflows up to 35-40KT will be possible with shower or thunderstorm activity tomorrow. Smoke aloft will continue to cause slant-range visibility concerns, especially near sunrise and sunset when the sun angle is low. Shower activity may provide some relief from the hazy skies but smoke aloft will continue until a major pattern change arrives, or until fire activity decreases. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ214. && DISCUSSION...20 AVIATION...AA
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 3, 5:21 PM MDT, 2 hours 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
521 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
COZ040-045-040000-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County CO-Central and East
Adams and Arapahoe Counties CO-
521 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN DENVER AND WESTERN
ADAMS COUNTIES UNTIL 6 PM MDT...
At 521 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm just
south of D.I.A Terminal and Concourses, or 16 miles east of Denver,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Denver International Airport, D.I.A Terminal and Concourses and
Watkins.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3974 10460 3978 10476 4000 10470 4000 10443
3999 10436
TIME...MOT...LOC 2321Z 210DEG 21KT 3980 10467
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BRQSpecial weather statement, Jul 3, 5:34 PM MDT, 2 hours 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
534 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
COZ035-038-040015-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County CO-Larimer
and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet CO-
534 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL LARIMER COUNTY
UNTIL 615 PM MDT...
At 534 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Stove Prairie, or 15 miles west of Fort Collins, moving east at 15
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Fort Collins, Stove Prairie, Bellvue, Teds Place, Poudre Park,
Buckhorn Mountain, Laporte and Horsetooth Mountain.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4055 10541 4065 10543 4076 10510 4053 10504
TIME...MOT...LOC 2334Z 261DEG 13KT 4058 10536
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BRQSpecial weather statement, Jul 3, 5:50 PM MDT, 2 hours before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
550 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
COZ045-046-049-040030-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County CO-Washington County CO-Central and East Adams and
Arapahoe Counties CO-
550 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...
ARAPAHOE...NORTHEASTERN ELBERT AND NORTH CENTRAL LINCOLN COUNTIES
UNTIL 630 PM MDT...
At 550 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Agate, or 23 miles northwest of Limon, moving east at
20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Cottonwood Valley.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 3957 10398 3962 10399 3976 10364 3949 10357
3949 10397
TIME...MOT...LOC 2349Z 260DEG 17KT 3956 10390
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BRQSpecial weather statement, Jul 3, 5:52 PM MDT, 1 hour 58 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
552 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
COZ042-040030-
Northeast Weld County CO-
552 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN WELD COUNTY UNTIL
630 PM MDT...
At 552 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles northeast of Briggsdale, or 33 miles northeast of Greeley,
moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Keota, Pawnee Buttes and Buckingham.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4061 10428 4076 10430 4085 10393 4061 10388
TIME...MOT...LOC 2352Z 260DEG 17KT 4069 10424
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BRQSpecial weather statement, Jul 3, 5:56 PM MDT, 1 hour 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
556 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
COZ040-043-045-040045-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County CO-Central and South
Weld County CO-Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties CO-
556 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN DENVER...SOUTH
CENTRAL WELD AND CENTRAL ADAMS COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM MDT...
At 556 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles north of Manila Village, or 28 miles northeast of Denver,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Prospect Valley.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4000 10452 4020 10430 4003 10415 4000 10415
4000 10412 3999 10411 3979 10445 3992 10461
TIME...MOT...LOC 2356Z 229DEG 21KT 3991 10448
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BRQLocal storm report, Jul 3, 7:28 PM MDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
728 PM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM Hail 3 NW Buckingham 40.64N 104.02W
07/03/2026 M1.25 Inch Weld CO Public
&&
BRThe office that day
Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 3, 6:17 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Morgan, Weld | 23 min |
| Jul 3, 7:38 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Logan, Washington | 52 min |
| Jul 3, 7:47 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Logan, Morgan, Washington | 32 min |
| Jul 3, 8:21 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Logan, Washington | 56 min |
| Jul 3, 8:36 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | BOU | Logan, Washington | 5 hr |
| Jul 3, 9:17 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Phillips | 3 hr |
| Jul 3, 10:42 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Elbert | 48 min |
| Jul 3, 11:21 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert | 39 min |
| Jul 3, 11:36 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Lincoln, Washington | 24 min |
| Jul 3, 11:48 PM MDT | Tornado Warning | BOU | Elbert, Lincoln | 27 min |
| Jul 3, 11:55 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Lincoln, Washington | 35 min |
| Jul 4, 12:04 AM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Elbert | 3 hr |
| Jul 4, 12:10 AM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Elbert, Lincoln | 50 min |
| Jul 4, 12:21 AM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | BOU | Lincoln, Washington | 4 hr |
| Jul 4, 12:30 AM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Lincoln, Washington | 30 min |
| Jul 4, 1:08 AM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Washington | 52 min |
| Jul 4, 1:39 AM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BOU | Washington | 3 hr |
| Jul 4, 2:25 AM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Lincoln | 35 min |
| Jul 4, 3:53 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Logan | 37 min |
| Jul 4, 4:29 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Adams | 31 min |
| Jul 4, 4:52 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Logan | 23 min |
| Jul 4, 4:53 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Logan | 37 min |
| Jul 4, 5:38 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Phillips | 52 min |
| Jul 4, 5:39 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Washington | 51 min |
| Jul 4, 5:40 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BOU | Washington | 50 min |
| Jul 4, 5:53 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BOU | Washington | 37 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.