A series of powerful storms in Colorado have brought about “gigantic” tornadoes, accompanied by hailstones as large as baseballs that shattered windows and potentially set a new state record for size. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued tornado warnings for Yuma County, a rural area west of Denver, urging residents to seek shelter as severe weather conditions developed. Surrounding regions were also under a severe thunderstorm warning, with wind speeds reaching up to 60 miles per hour.
The NWS had previously forecast “destructive hail” and “severe storms” into the late evening, though uncertainties remained regarding the exact scope and evolution of the weather patterns. Meteorologists later confirmed hailstones up to three inches in diameter.
Images posted by storm chasers, including Dakota McGee and Dan Fitts, showcased hailstones comparable in size to softballs and golf balls. Notably, hailstones larger than the existing state record of 4.83 inches were reportedly found, potentially breaking the record set in 2019.
A hailstone measuring around 5.3 inches in diameter was discovered near Kirk, south of Yuma. The NWS station in Goodland, Kansas, suggested storing the hailstone in a freezer for potential verification as a new state record.
Reports from storm chasers also captured the destructive impact of the storms. Tornadoes caused significant damage, including shattered windows and golf ball-sized hail. The tornadoes were attributed to the interaction of cooler, dryer air from tornadoes with hail, known as a rear flank downdraft.
Jordan Hall, an extreme storm chaser, shared a video of a massive tornado near Yuma, emphasizing its awe-inspiring size and the dramatic backdrop of dark clouds. The NWS later stated that storm coverage was expected to decrease in the region, with severe thunderstorm watches eventually expiring but continuing for parts of eastern Colorado and Kansas.
The tornado season in Colorado typically spans from May to August, during which periods of severe weather, including tornadoes, are more prevalent. This recent series of storms underscores the unpredictability and potential dangers associated with such weather events.