Tornadoes · United States · Colorado · 2023
Unrated tornado, Elba, Colorado, May 26, 2023
This Unrated tornado ran 0.0 miles across Washington County on May 26, 2023, touching down at 6:44 PM MDT and reaching 25 yards wide. It killed nobody.
The rating scale
Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.
EF065 to 85 mph
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mph
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
EF2111 to 135 mph
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
EF3136 to 165 mph
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
EF5over 200 mph
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unratedthis tornado
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.
The record
- Rating
- Unrated
- Date
- May 26, 2023
- Touchdown
- 6:44 PM MDT (00:44 UTC)
- Lifted
- 6:45 PM MDT (00:45 UTC)
- On the ground
- 1 minutes
- Path length
- 0.0 miles (0.0 km)
- Path width
- 25 yards (23 m)
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- County
- Washington County
- Touchdown point
- 39.840, -103.220
- Lift-off point
- 39.840, -103.220
- Record number
- 2305261844-01
What the Weather Service recorded
Severe thunderstorms produced large hail and strong winds as they moved across northern part of the Denver metro area. The hail ranged from nickel to ping pong ball size. A brief wind gust to 60 mph was observed in Morgan County. In addition, two weak tornadoes touched down in Morgan and Washington counties. No damage was observed.
A tornado touched down in an open field. No damage was observed.
From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.
The forecast that day
The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Slight Risk, with a 0.02 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 19:52 UTC.
SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, 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 tornado touched down at May 26, 3:29 PM MDT, 3 hours 15 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 26, 3:29 PM MDT, 3 hours 15 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 329 PM MDT Fri May 26 2023 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 328 PM MDT Fri May 26 2023 Current radar shows thunderstorms developing and progressing NNE across the urban corridor this afternoon. Many containing at least small hail and a few severe storms containing large hail around quarter size. As these storms move across the plains where the environment is moist and unstable (MLCAPE 1500+ J/kg). Marginal shear will support organized convection. Threats: large hail, up to golf ball size and as convection continues to grow upscale across the plains, damaging wind may become a threat as well (DCAPE 1000+ J/kg). This axis of multicell thunderstorms will moves east into this evening, exiting Colorado before midnight. In the moist, cooled post storm environment there is potential for fog/low stratus early Saturday morning, but should burn off by 8/9 AM. Saturday the upper trough pushes slightly further east towards Colorado. After remaining low clouds/fog burn off, temperatures warm nicely into the upper 70s to around 80 across the urban corridor and plains. Lee troughing develops over the plains with southerly flow off the Palmer Divide. Another piece of energy in the flow will move across and serve as optimal synoptic support for thunderstorm development. The axis of higher instability moves slightly eastward across the plains with MLCAPE 1000-1500 J/kg. Similarly the moist airmass with dewpoints in the 50s situates over the east plains. Expect afternoon chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms. Marginal shear (20-25 kts) will support organized clusters of storms, a few potentially being strong to severe over the plains. Large hail and gusty winds will be the main threats. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 328 PM MDT Fri May 26 2023 Once again storms will tracking east across the plains during Saturday evening. They will shift east of the state and/or dissipate by midnight. For Sunday, southwest flow aloft will continue as a trough digs south across the Pacific Northwest and California. Short wave ridging in the southwest flow aloft will bring subsidence and drier air for Sunday. This will result in fewer and weaker storms for Sunday. The far northeast plains may hang onto better moisture which could result in another round of stronger late afternoon and evening storms. Upper level low slowly digs southeast over California while the blocking pattern remains over the eastern portion of the country. As the low digs south expect ridging to prevail over the Central and Southern Rockies. Flow aloft will be weaker (less shear for storms). Surface low pressure will be near the Four Corners, which will keep a southeast low level flow over east Colorado. This southeast flow will keep enough moisture over the area for daily afternoon showers and storms for Monday and Tuesday. Due to the weak flow aloft, the storms should stay below severe limits. For Wednesday through Friday, the low/deep troughiness remains over southern California and the Desert Southwest while the blocking ridge continues to the east. Southwesterly flow aloft to continue. Flow aloft could turn more southerly depending how deep the low digs. This would increase moisture across the area. Also, flow aloft may increase, which could lead to a better chance for severe storms. Timing of the better day(s), is still uncertain this far out, but daily showers and thunderstorms are expected each day. As far as temperatures go, most days are expected to reach the mid to upper 70s over northeast Colorado. Should finally see some lower 80s come Monday, Tuesday, and possibly Wednesday when the ridging will be over the area. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 1159 AM MDT Fri May 26 2023 Light winds still at the terminals late this morning. SE flow will increase early this afternoon at APA and DEN with gusts 20-25 kts. Main impact for today with be the thunderstorms this afternoon. Still looking at the 20-02z timeframe for seeing any nearby or passing thunderstorm activity and their impacts. Lightning, hail, and gusty outflow winds may accompany the stronger to severe storms. A few higher brief gusts are also possible ( < 35kts). Stronger storms may be accompanied by periods of lowering ceilings/visibility. Can't rule out low stratus/fog developing again after 06z. This will depend on the environment post-storms, so there is still some uncertainty is the chances/timing. Similar Saturday with strong S/SSE winds developing at APA and DEN and afternoon scattered showers and thunderstorms. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 328 PM MDT Fri May 26 2023 For remainder of today, there will be a limited flood threat for burn area flash flooding. Moisture and instability are there; however, storm motions are sufficient. Scattered showers and thunderstorms expected Saturday afternoon. Higher moisture and instability develop further east on the plains. There is still a chance for activity over the high country/burn areas, capable of producing locally heavy rainfall. Storm motions aren't expected to be slow, but any organized storm over the burns will pose a threat. Limited threat Saturday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected each day. Not seeing a day with organized heavier rainfall, so the flash flood threat for the burn areas will be limited each day. && .BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...Mensch LONG TERM...Meier AVIATION...Mensch HYDROLOGY...Mensch/Meier
Hazardous weather outlook, May 26, 10:50 AM MDT, 7 hours 54 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO 1050 AM MDT Fri May 26 2023 COZ030>051-271700- 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- 1050 AM MDT Fri May 26 2023 This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. A few of these storms may be strong to severe across the I-25 corridor and eastern plains, with large hail and damaging winds as the main threats. A limited threat of burn area flash flooding is also forecast today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday An active weather pattern will continue through the weekend, with afternoon showers and thunderstorms likely. A few strong to severe storms are possible across the plains each afternoon. Heavy rain will also be possible with some threat of burn area flash flood flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and early evening.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 26, 3:23 PM MDT, 3 hours 21 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
323 PM MDT FRI MAY 26 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0315 PM HAIL 2 NE GREELEY 40.44N 104.72W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0314 PM HAIL 2 S LUCERNE 40.45N 104.70W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0312 PM HAIL 1 S GREELEY 40.41N 104.74W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0311 PM HAIL 2 W EVANS 40.38N 104.74W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0302 PM FLASH FLOOD 3 NE ENGLEWOOD 39.68N 104.96W
05/26/2023 DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: STREET/ROAD FLOODING;
STREET/ROAD CLOSED; VEHICLES STRANDED.
0245 PM HAIL 2 N FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.89N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
0242 PM HAIL 1 ENE WESTMINSTER 39.89N 105.04W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ADAMS CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0234 PM HAIL 2 NE WHEAT RIDGE 39.79N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0232 PM HAIL 1 S FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.85N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0232 PM HAIL 2 NE ARVADA 39.84N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0229 PM HAIL 1 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.04W
05/26/2023 U1.50 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: PING PONG BALL (1.50
IN.).
0229 PM HAIL 2 NNW DENVER 39.76N 105.00W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
0227 PM HAIL 1 S FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.85N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0226 PM HAIL FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.87N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH ADAMS CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0225 PM HAIL 1 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.04W
05/26/2023 U1.00 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
0225 PM HAIL 3 SW FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.83N 105.05W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0225 PM HAIL 1 NE PLEASANT VIEW 39.73N 105.15W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH JEFFERSON CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0225 PM HAIL 2 NW DENVER 39.76N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH DENVER CO NWS EMPLOYEE
0224 PM HAIL 3 SW FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.83N 105.05W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0224 PM HAIL ARVADA 39.82N 105.11W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
0219 PM HAIL 2 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0219 PM HAIL 2 N MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.81N 105.06W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0217 PM HAIL 1 NE WHEAT RIDGE 39.79N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
&&Local storm report, May 26, 3:36 PM MDT, 3 hours 8 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
336 PM MDT FRI MAY 26 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0235 PM HAIL 3 NE LONGMONT 40.20N 105.07W
05/26/2023 E1.25 INCH BOULDER CO NWS EMPLOYEE
&&
BRSpecial weather statement, May 26, 4:16 PM MDT, 2 hours 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
416 PM MDT Fri May 26 2023
COZ041>046-262300-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet CO-
Central and South Weld County CO-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County CO-Morgan County CO-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties CO-
Northeast Weld County CO-
416 PM MDT Fri May 26 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Weld,
northern Elbert, eastern Arapahoe, western Morgan and eastern Adams
Counties through 500 PM MDT...
At 415 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms
capable of producing a landspout tornado along a line extending from
near Briggsdale to 10 miles north of Strasburg to 9 miles north of
Kiowa to 5 miles southwest of Elbert, or along a line extending from
25 miles northeast of Greeley to 59 miles west of Akron to 33 miles
southeast of Denver to 21 miles northeast of Colorado Springs.
Movement was east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts possible, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and half inch
hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Landspout tornadoes can damage mobile homes, roofs,
vehicles, and trees. Outdoor objects may be tossed about.
Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Fort Morgan, Elbert, Wiggins, Log Lane Village, Kiowa, Simla, Deer
Trail, Hoyt, Shamrock, Weldona, Leader, Matheson, Agate, Twelve-Mile
Corner, Jackson Reservoir, Strasburg, Adena School, Orchard, Byers
and Adena.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Heavy rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MDT for
northeastern and east central Colorado.
&&
LAT...LON 4058 10372 3987 10378 3914 10396 3916 10462
3989 10430 4063 10435
TIME...MOT...LOC 2215Z 275DEG 23KT 4060 10432 3988 10429 3948 10442
3915 10460
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
RJKLocal storm report, May 26, 4:35 PM MDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
435 PM MDT FRI MAY 26 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0428 PM TSTM WND GST 2 WNW WIGGINS 40.25N 104.11W
05/26/2023 E60 MPH MORGAN CO STORM CHASER
0321 PM HAIL 4 SSE ROCKPORT 40.85N 104.73W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH WELD CO AMATEUR RADIO
0316 PM HAIL 2 S LUCERNE 40.45N 104.70W
05/26/2023 M1.50 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0315 PM HAIL 2 NE GREELEY 40.44N 104.72W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0314 PM HAIL 2 S LUCERNE 40.45N 104.70W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0312 PM HAIL 1 S GREELEY 40.41N 104.74W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0311 PM HAIL 2 W EVANS 40.38N 104.74W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0255 PM HAIL 2 E FOXFIELD 39.59N 104.77W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH ARAPAHOE CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0251 PM HAIL 3 WSW FREDERICK 40.10N 104.99W
05/26/2023 E0.75 INCH WELD CO STORM CHASER
0245 PM HAIL 2 N FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.89N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
0242 PM HAIL 1 ENE WESTMINSTER 39.89N 105.04W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ADAMS CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0235 PM HAIL BROOMFIELD 39.92N 105.07W
05/26/2023 M0.88 INCH BROOMFIELD CO PUBLIC
0235 PM HAIL 3 NE LONGMONT 40.20N 105.07W
05/26/2023 E1.25 INCH BOULDER CO NWS EMPLOYEE
0234 PM HAIL 2 NE WHEAT RIDGE 39.79N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0234 PM HAIL LONGMONT 40.18N 105.11W
05/26/2023 M0.88 INCH BOULDER CO PUBLIC
0232 PM HAIL 1 S FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.85N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0232 PM HAIL 2 NE ARVADA 39.84N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0232 PM HAIL 2 W ARVADA 39.82N 105.14W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0229 PM HAIL 1 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.04W
05/26/2023 U1.50 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: PING PONG BALL (1.50
IN.).
0229 PM HAIL 2 NNW DENVER 39.76N 105.00W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
0228 PM HAIL 1 NNE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.78N 105.05W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
0227 PM HAIL 1 S FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.85N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0226 PM HAIL FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.87N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH ADAMS CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0225 PM HAIL 1 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.04W
05/26/2023 U1.00 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
0225 PM HAIL 3 SW FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.83N 105.05W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0225 PM HAIL 2 NW DENVER 39.76N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH DENVER CO NWS EMPLOYEE
0225 PM HAIL 1 NE PLEASANT VIEW 39.73N 105.15W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH JEFFERSON CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0224 PM HAIL 3 SW FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.83N 105.05W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0224 PM HAIL ARVADA 39.82N 105.11W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
0219 PM HAIL 2 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0219 PM HAIL 2 N MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.81N 105.06W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0217 PM HAIL 1 NE WHEAT RIDGE 39.79N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
&&Local storm report, May 26, 4:44 PM MDT, 2 hours before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
444 PM MDT FRI MAY 26 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0432 PM HAIL ELBERT 39.22N 104.53W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ELBERT CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0428 PM TSTM WND GST 2 WNW WIGGINS 40.25N 104.11W
05/26/2023 E60 MPH MORGAN CO STORM CHASER
0353 PM HAIL 2 SE MANILA VILLAGE 39.74N 104.49W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH ADAMS CO STORM CHASER
0324 PM HAIL GREELEY 40.42N 104.74W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
0321 PM HAIL 4 SSE ROCKPORT 40.85N 104.73W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH WELD CO AMATEUR RADIO
0316 PM HAIL 2 S LUCERNE 40.45N 104.70W
05/26/2023 M1.50 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0315 PM HAIL 2 NE GREELEY 40.44N 104.72W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0314 PM HAIL 2 S LUCERNE 40.45N 104.70W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0312 PM HAIL 1 S GREELEY 40.41N 104.74W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0311 PM HAIL 2 W EVANS 40.38N 104.74W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0255 PM HAIL 2 E FOXFIELD 39.59N 104.77W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH ARAPAHOE CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0251 PM HAIL 3 WSW FREDERICK 40.10N 104.99W
05/26/2023 E0.75 INCH WELD CO STORM CHASER
0245 PM HAIL 2 N FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.89N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
0242 PM HAIL 1 ENE WESTMINSTER 39.89N 105.04W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ADAMS CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0235 PM HAIL 3 NE LONGMONT 40.20N 105.07W
05/26/2023 E1.25 INCH BOULDER CO NWS EMPLOYEE
0235 PM HAIL BROOMFIELD 39.92N 105.07W
05/26/2023 M0.88 INCH BROOMFIELD CO PUBLIC
0234 PM HAIL 2 NE WHEAT RIDGE 39.79N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0234 PM HAIL LONGMONT 40.18N 105.11W
05/26/2023 M0.88 INCH BOULDER CO PUBLIC
0232 PM HAIL 1 S FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.85N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0232 PM HAIL 2 NE ARVADA 39.84N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0232 PM HAIL 2 W ARVADA 39.82N 105.14W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0229 PM HAIL 1 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.04W
05/26/2023 U1.50 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: PING PONG BALL (1.50
IN.).
0229 PM HAIL 2 NNW DENVER 39.76N 105.00W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
0228 PM HAIL 1 NNE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.78N 105.05W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
0227 PM HAIL 1 S FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.85N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0226 PM HAIL FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.87N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH ADAMS CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0225 PM HAIL 1 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.04W
05/26/2023 U1.00 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
0225 PM HAIL 3 SW FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.83N 105.05W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0225 PM HAIL 1 NE PLEASANT VIEW 39.73N 105.15W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH JEFFERSON CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0225 PM HAIL 2 NW DENVER 39.76N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH DENVER CO NWS EMPLOYEE
0224 PM HAIL 3 SW FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.83N 105.05W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0224 PM HAIL ARVADA 39.82N 105.11W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
0219 PM HAIL 2 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0219 PM HAIL 2 N MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.81N 105.06W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0217 PM HAIL 1 NE WHEAT RIDGE 39.79N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
&&Local storm report, May 26, 5:37 PM MDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
537 PM MDT FRI MAY 26 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0454 PM TORNADO 1 W SNYDER 40.33N 103.60W
05/26/2023 MORGAN CO 911 CALL CENTER
0432 PM HAIL ELBERT 39.22N 104.53W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ELBERT CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0428 PM TSTM WND GST 2 WNW WIGGINS 40.25N 104.11W
05/26/2023 E60 MPH MORGAN CO STORM CHASER
0353 PM HAIL 2 SE MANILA VILLAGE 39.74N 104.49W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH ADAMS CO STORM CHASER
0340 PM DUST STORM 1 NW STRASBURG 39.75N 104.32W
05/26/2023 ADAMS CO PUBLIC
0324 PM HAIL GREELEY 40.42N 104.74W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
0321 PM HAIL 4 SSE ROCKPORT 40.85N 104.73W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH WELD CO AMATEUR RADIO
0316 PM HAIL 2 S LUCERNE 40.45N 104.70W
05/26/2023 M1.50 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0315 PM HAIL 2 NE GREELEY 40.44N 104.72W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0314 PM HAIL 2 S LUCERNE 40.45N 104.70W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0312 PM HAIL 1 S GREELEY 40.41N 104.74W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH WELD CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0311 PM HAIL 2 W EVANS 40.38N 104.74W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH WELD CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0255 PM HAIL 2 E FOXFIELD 39.59N 104.77W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH ARAPAHOE CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0251 PM HAIL 3 WSW FREDERICK 40.10N 104.99W
05/26/2023 E0.75 INCH WELD CO STORM CHASER
0245 PM HAIL 2 N FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.89N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
0242 PM HAIL 1 ENE WESTMINSTER 39.89N 105.04W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH ADAMS CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0235 PM HAIL BROOMFIELD 39.92N 105.07W
05/26/2023 M0.88 INCH BROOMFIELD CO PUBLIC
0235 PM HAIL 3 NE LONGMONT 40.20N 105.07W
05/26/2023 E1.25 INCH BOULDER CO NWS EMPLOYEE
0234 PM HAIL 2 NE WHEAT RIDGE 39.79N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0234 PM HAIL LONGMONT 40.18N 105.11W
05/26/2023 M0.88 INCH BOULDER CO PUBLIC
0232 PM HAIL 1 S FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.85N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0232 PM HAIL 2 NE ARVADA 39.84N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0232 PM HAIL 2 W ARVADA 39.82N 105.14W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0229 PM HAIL 1 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.04W
05/26/2023 U1.50 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: PING PONG BALL (1.50
IN.).
0229 PM HAIL 2 NNW DENVER 39.76N 105.00W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
0228 PM HAIL 1 NNE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.78N 105.05W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
0227 PM HAIL 1 S FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.85N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0226 PM HAIL FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.87N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH ADAMS CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0225 PM HAIL 1 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.04W
05/26/2023 U1.00 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
0225 PM HAIL 3 SW FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.83N 105.05W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0225 PM HAIL 2 NW DENVER 39.76N 105.01W
05/26/2023 M1.25 INCH DENVER CO NWS EMPLOYEE
0225 PM HAIL 1 NE PLEASANT VIEW 39.73N 105.15W
05/26/2023 M1.00 INCH JEFFERSON CO TRAINED SPOTTER
0224 PM HAIL 3 SW FEDERAL HEIGHTS 39.83N 105.05W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH ADAMS CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0224 PM HAIL ARVADA 39.82N 105.11W
05/26/2023 M0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
0219 PM HAIL 2 NE MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.79N 105.02W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH DENVER CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0219 PM HAIL 2 N MOUNTAIN VIEW 39.81N 105.06W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
0217 PM HAIL 1 NE WHEAT RIDGE 39.79N 105.08W
05/26/2023 U0.75 INCH JEFFERSON CO PUBLIC
REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
&&The air that afternoon
The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.
N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), 00:00Z
0.7 hours before the tornado, 264 km from the path. May 27, 2023.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 349 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -47 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 1249 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1046 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 19 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 28 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 109 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 293 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 1.8
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 6.3 K/km
N. Platte/Lee Bi, NE (KLBF), 12:00Z
11.3 hours after it, 264 km from the path. May 27, 2023.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 15 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -174 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 940 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 10 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 23 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 124 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 56 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 4.9 K/km
The surface observations
Akron/Washington Co (AKO), 37 km from the path, in the two hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Temp (°F) | Dew point (°F) | Wind | Gust (kt) | Pressure (mb) | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00 UTC |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.
The radar
The Denver radar (KFTG), 113 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 00:45 UTC.
Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track
Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.
This ground now
The live radar over the trackEvery 2023 tornado in ColoradoEvery tornado in Colorado since 1950Warnings in force in Colorado nowThe forecast where you are
The other tornadoes of May 26, 2023
6 more were confirmed in the United States that day.
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.
Sources
NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.