Damaging Winds in Colorado, July 4, 2025

Name: Damaging Winds in Colorado, July 4, 2025
Start: 2025-07-04T16:43
End: 2025-07-04T16:50
Location: Colorado

July 4, 2025 · NWS BOU · 2 events in 1 county or zone

Thunderstorms moving across Washington County during the early evening hours of July 4th produce wind gusts up to 70 mph.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 2

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BOU wrote it up.

Thunderstorms moving across Washington County during the early evening hours of July 4th produce wind gusts up to 70 mph.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 4, 2:20 PM MST, 2 hours 23 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, diminishing from west to east early this evening. Some storms could produce wind gusts up to 50 mph across the eastern plains with small hail. It is expected that almost all storms come to an end before 9pm across the I-25 corridor.
A chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms and above normal temperatures are expected for the weekend into early next week. Some strong to severe storms are possible with large hail and damaging wind gusts across the eastern plains.
Hot temperatures expected Wednesday with the upper 90s expected across the plains.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 2:20 PM MST, 2 hours 23 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
320 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, diminishing
  from west to east early this evening. Some storms could produce
  wind gusts up to 50 mph across the eastern plains with small
  hail. It is expected that almost all storms come to an end
  before 9pm across the I-25 corridor.

- A chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms and above normal
  temperatures are expected for the weekend into early next week.
  Some strong to severe storms are possible with large hail and
  damaging wind gusts across the eastern plains.

- Hot temperatures expected Wednesday with the upper 90s expected
  across the plains.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Friday/...
Issued at 225 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

SPC mesoanalysis shows 1,000 j/kg of surface based CAPE across the
plains this afternoon with higher values exceeding 2,000 across
the northeast corner by Nebraska. With 500 mb winds around 20
knots, deep layer shear is lacking today so the severe weather
threat is rather low. However, the easterly winds and healthy dew
points in the upper 50s will help to create storms that will
merge into a line during the late afternoon. This line may have
wind gusts up to 50 mph associated with it and there could be one
or two severe wind gusts above 60 mph especially in the far
northeast corner of the state since there is better instability
there. Across the I-25 corridor, some weak showers and storms may
linger into the early evening hours. But with subsidence aloft due
to the departing shortwave trough, the only thing keeping the
storms going is the daytime warming. Therefore, showers and
storms are expected to end at sunset with minimal threat to
evening firework shows.

Saturday and Sunday will have similar setups. There will be weak
zonal flow aloft on the northern edge of a ridge. There will be
weak lee cyclogenesis over northeast Colorado which will keep
surface winds light out of the east. The easterly winds will keep
in decent moisture and moderate instability especially east of
DIA each day. High resolution models indicate isolated to
scattered storms will form over the eastern plains and they may
become strong to severe with large hail and damaging wind gusts.
The shear will be the limiting factor so storms are not expected
to be particularly long-lived. This will keep the severe threat in
the marginal or slight SPC categories.

Monday may be the day with the best severe setup since similar
instability and moisture will be in place. However, there will
likely be a shortwave aloft that will increase deep layer shear
and forcing so better coverage of strong to severe storms is
expected. This threat may require a slight or enhanced SPC risk if
the timing of the shortwave is roughly in the afternoon or evening
Monday.

A ridge will strengthen and move north over Colorado on Tuesday
and Wednesday. This will result in dry conditions and much warmer
temperatures. Wednesday appears to the be warmest day with highs
reaching the upper 90s across the plains with some locations like
Greeley having a chance to hit 100.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday/...
Issued at 1152 AM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

VFR conditions expected throughout the TAF period. The main impact
today will be wind gusts from isolated thunderstorms. If a storm
were to go over a terminal, gusts could reach 35 knots. The most
likely time for a storm to impact the terminals is 19-22Z.
Drainage will return for the latter part of the evening but a weak
boundary will move across the terminals shifting winds to the
north or northwest overnight. Isolated storms are again possible
Saturday afternoon with winds being the primary impacts.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Danielson
AVIATION...Danielson

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 10:10 AM MST, 6 hours 33 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1110 AM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

COZ030>051-051715-
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-
1110 AM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central
Colorado.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop over the
entire forecast area this afternoon. The main threats from the
storms will be lightning and wind gusts between 35-50 mph, though
a few storms could also produce brief heavy rain and small hail.
The chance for thunderstorms diminishes greatly after sunset
across the I-25 corridor.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

For this weekend into early next week, there will continue to be
a chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms each day. Some
storms this weekend could be strong to severe across the eastern
plains with large hail and damaging wind gusts the primary
threats.

Very hot temperatures are expected on Wednesday and Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 4, 10:43 AM MST, 6 hours before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
1143 AM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

COZ036-040-041-041830-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County CO-Jefferson and West
Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast
Park Counties Below 9000 Feet CO-Elbert/Central and East Douglas
Counties Above 6000 Feet CO-
1143 AM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND
NORTH CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 PM MDT...

At 1143 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
near South Platte, or 22 miles southwest of Denver, moving southeast
at 15 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...
  Southern Highlands Ranch, northwestern Castle Rock, Roxborough
  Park, Sedalia, Louviers, South Platte, Castle Pines, Shamballa and
  Kassler.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3943 10522 3948 10520 3952 10511 3951 10510
      3951 10512 3949 10512 3948 10513 3948 10512
      3949 10509 3951 10508 3953 10508 3948 10485
      3935 10491 3930 10502
TIME...MOT...LOC 1742Z 299DEG 13KT 3946 10517

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Gimmestad

Special weather statement, Jul 4, 11:34 AM MST, 5 hours 9 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
1234 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

COZ036-041-041915-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet CO-Elbert/Central
and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet CO-
1234 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY
UNTIL 115 PM MDT...

At 1234 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
near Perry Park, or 28 miles south of Denver, moving southeast at 15
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...
  Southern Castle Rock, Larkspur, Greenland and Perry Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3929 10507 3942 10493 3927 10467 3918 10470
      3913 10475 3913 10490
TIME...MOT...LOC 1834Z 310DEG 15KT 3932 10497

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Gimmestad

Special weather statement, Jul 4, 1:49 PM MST, 2 hours 54 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
249 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

COZ032-034-042130-
South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest
Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties
Above 9000 Feet CO-Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet CO-
249 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL GRAND COUNTY UNTIL 330
PM MDT...

At 249 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Williams Fork Reservoir, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
  Hot Sulphur Springs, Parshall and Williams Fork Reservoir.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.

&&

LAT...LON 3996 10630 4003 10631 4011 10604 4003 10589
      3992 10587 3993 10629
TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 257DEG 16KT 3998 10622

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Gimmestad

Special weather statement, Jul 4, 2:51 PM MST, 1 hour 52 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
351 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

COZ042-048-042245-
Logan County CO-Northeast Weld County CO-
351 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT LOGAN AND EAST
CENTRAL WELD COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM MDT...

At 351 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms extending from 12 miles northeast of Westplains to 9
miles north of Stoneham, or extending from 20 miles southeast of
Kimball to 27 miles west of Sterling, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
  Sterling, Merino, Iliff, Peetz, North Sterling Reservoir, Logan
  Corners, Padroni, Atwood, Pawnee Pass, Westplains, Willard and
  Proctor.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

If on North Sterling Reservoir, get out of the water and secure
loose items. Boaters can expect strong gusty winds and locally
higher waves. Boaters should seek safe harbor immediately.

Prepare for sudden gusty winds. Secure loose objects and move to a
safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4074 10380 4090 10355 4100 10347 4100 10299
      4088 10285 4056 10308 4044 10323 4044 10347
      4052 10347 4052 10356
TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 308DEG 23KT 4102 10340 4088 10352 4074 10369

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Gimmestad

Special weather statement, Jul 4, 3:19 PM MST, 1 hour 24 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
419 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

COZ044-049-042245-
Washington County CO-Morgan County CO-
419 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN MORGAN AND
NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM MDT...

At 419 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms extending from 5 miles west of Willard to near Fort
Morgan, or extending from 21 miles west of Sterling to near Fort
Morgan, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
  Fort Morgan, Brush, Log Lane Village, Hillrose, Snyder, Midway,
  Gary, Antelope Springs, Adena School, Prewitt Reservoir, Union,
  Messex and Fort Morgan Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4011 10392 4044 10377 4052 10369 4052 10347
      4044 10347 4044 10322 4000 10347
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 282DEG 20KT 4058 10358 4042 10370 4019 10380

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Gimmestad

Special weather statement, Jul 4, 3:59 PM MST, 44 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
459 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

COZ044-048>051-042345-
Phillips County CO-Sedgwick County CO-Washington County CO-Morgan
County CO-Logan County CO-
459 PM MDT Fri Jul 4 2025

...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN PHILLIPS...
SOUTHWESTERN SEDGWICK...EAST CENTRAL MORGAN...EASTERN LOGAN AND
NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM MDT...

At 459 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms extending from near Crook to 8 miles north of Gary, or
extending from 26 miles northeast of Sterling to 15 miles east of
Fort Morgan, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
  Sterling, Akron, Haxtun, Otis, Fleming, Merino, Iliff, Crook,
  Paoli, Burdett, Lone Star, St Petersburg, Atwood, Platner,
  Proctor, Prewitt Reservoir, Highland Center, Midway, Twin Buttes
  and Fairfield.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Prepare for sudden gusty winds. Secure loose objects and move to a
safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4018 10363 4059 10327 4098 10284 4081 10233
      4044 10256 4044 10278 4035 10278 4035 10279
      4022 10279 3991 10313
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 299DEG 23KT 4089 10284 4056 10318 4018 10353

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Gimmestad

The radar

The Goodland radar (KGLD), 109 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:44 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: July 4, 4:43 PM MST
Where: Washington County, 3.27 mi WSW of Cope
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.660, -102.910

WeatherLink Station near Cope Colorado.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: July 4, 4:47 PM MST to 4:50 PM MST
Where: Washington County, Cope
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 39.670, -102.850

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Colorado in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Colorado, July 2025

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1261333, 1261334.