A round of severe thunderstorms moved across a portion of southeast Utah which generated two confirmed tornadoes in San Juan County, Utah on Saturday, Sept 13, 2025. The first tornado was a quick spin-up and very short lived, as noted by a resident's video footage narration, along with information from local emergency management and law enforcement.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.
A round of severe thunderstorms moved across a portion of southeast Utah which generated two confirmed tornadoes in San Juan County, Utah on Saturday, Sept 13, 2025. The first tornado was a quick spin-up and very short lived, as noted by a resident's video footage narration, along with information from local emergency management and law enforcement.
A second, more well developed tornado, developed five minutes after the first tornado dissipated and formed in a location near the first tornado. The second tornado was well documented by local officials and video footage to have remained nearly stationary throughout its duration before finally dissipating. Both events were located north of Montezuma Creek.
The entire event lasted around one hour and 20 minutes, with the first tornado |beginning around 12:30pm and the second tornado dissipating by 1:50pm MDT.
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 Grand Junction, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 13, 10:14 AM MST, 1 hour 16 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1114 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered showers and storms are expected this morning through the evening. Some storms could be strong to severe with strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall possible. - Flash flooding is possible especially over areas of recent rainfall where soils are already saturated, recent burn scars and areas of steep terrain. - Conditions dry out on Sunday so expect less active weather with below normal temperatures. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... Issued at 412 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025 Thunderstorms continue to develop early this morning in this moisture laden and unstable air mass with sufficient shear still present. We are still maintaining a southwest flow with southwest to northeast storm motions as the jet remains overhead with the low pressure trough just to our west over Utah. The HRRR has been performing very well lately in terms of coverage and timing of convection and the last few runs have been indicating a bit more storm coverage than previously indicated. Shear is a bit less but plenty sufficient for strong to severe storms again with about 30 to 40 kts. CAPE is already present with little to no CIN which explains the ongoing convective development this morning. CAPE will increase to around 400 to 800 J/kg late this morning into the afternoon with near 1000 J/kg across eastern Utah. This is where clearing skies are present so expect more surface heating to get storms going a bit earlier. Storm motion will transition this afternoon from a southwest to northeast direction to more of a west to east track as the negatively tilted trough moves overhead. Typically on the edge of the deep moisture and drier air to our west, we could see stronger storms forming along this boundary with this trough passage. With storms today, strong gusty winds, hail and heavy rainfall all remain possible with a few severe or borderline severe today. Much of the area received significant rainfall yesterday with some flooding and due to the recent rains over the last couple days, soils remain very saturated where this rain has occurred. Therefore, these saturated areas remain susceptible to flash flooding as heavy rainfall rates are still expected with storms today. Recent burn scars and areas of steep terrain are also susceptible to flooding. Therefore, even though coverage will be a bit less than yesterday, the potential is there for flash flooding so decided to issue a Flood Watch in effect this morning through midnight tonight. Drier air will move in behind the trough passage tonight allowing storms to exit to the east with quieter conditions expected overnight. On Sunday with the deep moisture and trough to our east, westerly flow will usher in much drier conditions and a relatively pleasant day. Temperatures will be much cooler with fall-like readings as highs will be around 10 degrees below normal. Cannot rule out isolated storms Sunday afternoon due to any lingering moisture, but favoring the high terrain along the Divide as that will be the main source of lift on Sunday. Most model guidance indicates much of the area remaining precipitation free however. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... Issued at 334 PM MDT Fri Sep 12 2025 High pressure will briefly build behind the trough Sunday into Monday. This pattern shift will lead to a drier airmass moving over the region, ending the ongoing return of the monsoon. By Monday night a trough off the Pacific Northwest will be passing to our north. As it passes, it may provide just enough support to increase PoPs along our northern border Tuesday night, and to allow for afternoon convection on Tuesday and Wednesday over the higher terrain. Although, models seem to disagree on both the timing of this through passage, and how far south the trough will dig. In addition, moisture looks to be pretty limited during this period so not much is expected in terms of QPF. High pressure builds again after this trough passage. With the decrease in moisture, and periods of increasing high pressure, seasonable temperatures return through the workweek. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1104 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025 Scattered to widespread showers and storms are expected this afternoon and evening. VFR conditions will be in place with MVFR/IFR in any shower/storm and CIGS lowered to ILS breakpoints at times during convection. VFR returns after 06Z although cannot rule out low stratus or fog developing given recent rainfall and cooler temperatures combined with partially clearing skies from the west. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 412 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025 Scattered storms are expected to develop this morning through this evening with a bit less coverage than yesterday. Storms have the potential to be strong to severe with heavy rainfall rates. While recent burn scars remain the most susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows, much of the central and southern areas of the CWA received quite a bit of rainfall over the last 24 to 36 hours so soils remain saturated. Any heavy rainfall rates over recent saturated soils and steep terrain will also be prone to flash flooding. Therefore, even though coverage will be a bit less than yesterday, decided to issue another Flood Watch for the central and southern portions of eastern Utah and western Colorado, including the recent burn scars. && .GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CO...Flood Watch through this evening for COZ003-006>014-017>023. UT...Flood Watch through this evening for UTZ022-027>029. && SHORT TERM...MDA LONG TERM...GF AVIATION...TGJT HYDROLOGY...MDA
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 613 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025 COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-141215- Lower Yampa River Basin-Central Yampa River Basin- Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus-Elkhead and Park Mountains- Upper Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley-Debeque to Silt Corridor- Central Colorado River Basin-Grand and Battlement Mesas- Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys- Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin- West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops-Upper Gunnison River Valley- Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide-Northwest San Juan Mountains- Southwest San Juan Mountains-Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River- Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin- San Juan River Basin-Southeast Utah-Eastern Uinta Mountains- Eastern Uinta Basin-Tavaputs Plateau-Arches/Grand Flat- La Sal and Abajo Mountains-Canyonlands/Natural Bridges- 613 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Colorado, southwest Colorado, west central Colorado, east central Utah, northeast Utah and southeast Utah. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Expect another day of scattered showers and storms this morning through the evening. Some storms could be strong to severe with large hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding the primary threats of the strongest storms. Fresh burn scars, saturated soils and steep terrain will be especially conducive to flash flooding and debris flows. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Drier conditions move in Sunday behind the departing storm system with fall-like temperatures. Terrain-based storms will be possible mid week as a disturbance moves across the north. Otherwise, conditions look to remain dry through much of the coming week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
701 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
UTZ025-027-131330-
Arches/Grand Flat UT-Tavaputs Plateau UT-
701 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL GRAND COUNTY THROUGH 730
AM MDT...
At 701 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 24
miles east of Green River, moving north 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 hail damage to vegetation and
outdoor objects is possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of central Grand
County.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Utah between mile markers 179 and 197.
U.S. Highway 191 in Utah between mile markers 149 and 157.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3880 10960 3884 10988 3915 10989 3909 10946
TIME...MOT...LOC 1301Z 190DEG 16KT 3891 10972
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
734 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
UTZ025-027-131400-
Arches/Grand Flat UT-Tavaputs Plateau UT-
734 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL GRAND COUNTY THROUGH 800
AM MDT...
At 734 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 23 miles east of Green River to 26 miles north
of Castle Valley. Movement was northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation and
outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Cisco.
This includes Interstate 70 in Utah between mile markers 207 and 216.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3929 10987 3916 10919 3894 10933 3905 10988
TIME...MOT...LOC 1334Z 216DEG 19KT 3908 10975 3901 10937
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
806 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
UTZ025-131430-
Tavaputs Plateau UT-
806 AM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GRAND COUNTY
THROUGH 830 AM MDT...
At 806 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 21
miles northeast of Green River, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation and
outdoor objects is possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Grand
County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3923 11005 3926 11006 3928 11008 3930 11005
3933 11006 3933 11005 3935 11002 3937 11003
3942 11001 3943 10973 3918 10981 3919 11008
3921 11007 3922 11008
TIME...MOT...LOC 1406Z 176DEG 19KT 3924 10993
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1212 PM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
COZ006-017-131845-
Uncompahgre Plateau/Dallas Divide CO-Grand Valley CO-
1212 PM MDT Sat Sep 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MESA COUNTY THROUGH
1245 PM MDT...
At 1212 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fruita, or 7 miles west of Grand Junction, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Grand Junction, Fruita, Glade Park, Redlands, and Orchard Mesa.
This includes Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 20 and
28.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3898 10875 3914 10881 3918 10862 3902 10856
TIME...MOT...LOC 1812Z 264DEG 7KT 3906 10870
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
KAAThe Grand Junction radar (KGJX), 213 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:32 UTC.
2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
The first, of the two tornadoes, was short lived as noted by a resident's video footage|narration, along with information from local emergency management and law|enforcement.
The second tornado prompted a damage survey conducted by local emergency|management and Navajo Nation emergency management, along with local law enforcement. The data from the survey was relayed to the National Weather Service: storm damage was concentrated on an area centered near 37.33071N / 109.3259W and included; a home completely destroyed, two (2) 800-gallon water barrels were missing, a three-bedroom home was completely destroyed, a sheep corral and barn were destroyed, two (2) horse trailers were damaged, a cow corral, along with damage to three (3) vehicles.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Utah in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Utah, 2025Warnings in Utah, September 2025
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: 1295647, 1295635.