Tornado History

Colorado Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Colorado. The local dataset contains 2,375 tornado records from 1950 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F4 (Devastating damage) and at least $290.8M in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is May 30, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 5 deaths and 282 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes2,375
Total Deaths5
Total Injuries282
Property Damage$290.8M
Avg Length1.2 mi
Avg Width63 yd

Key Tornado Facts for Colorado

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 30.8 tornadoes per year (42.0/yr in last decade)
June is the peak tornado month with 859 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: F3 in Colorado with 2 deaths
1996 was the most active year with 98 tornadoes
The 1990s had the most tornado activity (462 events)
Longest tornado: 29.9 miles in Colorado
Widest tornado: 1,760.0 yards in Colorado
Most tornadoes in one day: 37 on Jun 21, 2023

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In Colorado, June is the most active month with 859 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

9866330

Summary: 1996 was the most active year with 98 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
Unknown
EFU

Summary: F0 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 873 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$147.1M$14.7M$1.5M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 2008 with at least $147.1M in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Weld
Washington
Adams
Elbert
Kit Carson
Lincoln
Yuma
Arapahoe
Logan
Morgan
El Paso
Cheyenne
Kiowa
Prowers
Baca
Douglas
Phillips
Bent
Sedgwick
Las Animas

Summary: Weld County has the highest count in this state group with 284 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

F4 May 18, 19771977EF3 May 22, 20082008F3 June 15, 19881988F3 June 6, 19901990F3 May 31, 19991999EF3 March 28, 20072007EF3 August 8, 20232023F3 July 5, 20002000F3 May 30, 19961996F3 June 27, 19601960F3 October 17, 19711971F3 August 15, 19741974F3 June 24, 19791979F3 May 29, 20012001F3 May 15, 1952F3 May 10, 1975F3 July 31, 1955F3 June 12, 1982F3 June 6, 1990F3 May 18, 1975F3 June 13, 1977EF3 June 4, 2015EF3 June 4, 2015EF3 June 23, 2023F2 June 3, 1981F2 May 28, 2001F2 October 17, 1971F2 June 16, 1979F2 June 3, 1981F2 June 3, 1981F2 June 8, 1986F2 June 8, 1986F2 June 15, 1988EF2 June 7, 2021EF2 April 27, 2012EF2 April 27, 2012F2 June 26, 1952F2 June 18, 1955F2 June 18, 1955F2 June 10, 1967F2 May 12, 1975F2 May 30, 1976F2 April 11, 1977F2 June 13, 1977F2 June 13, 1977F2 May 17, 1978F2 June 4, 1983F2 May 24, 1984F2 July 19, 1985F2 July 31, 1985F2 September 18, 1986F2 June 5, 1988F2 June 5, 1988F2 June 5, 1988F2 June 13, 1988F2 May 19, 1988F2 June 6, 1990F2 June 14, 1990F2 July 13, 1996F2 May 30, 1996EF2 May 7, 2016F2 May 15, 2003F2 May 28, 2001F2 June 16, 2004EF2 June 15, 2009EF2 May 31, 2010EF2 April 27, 2012EF2 August 8, 2023EF2 June 5, 2015F2 August 5, 1950F2 August 5, 1950F2 June 6, 1951F2 May 8, 1952F2 July 20, 1958F2 May 29, 1959F2 June 20, 1960F2 May 20, 1961F2 May 8, 1965F2 May 23, 1965F2 May 23, 1965© OpenStreetMap contributors
This map covers the wider location—not your exact property.Measure the closest recorded track to a street address in or near Colorado.
Measure distance free

Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
May 18, 1977F4Baca, Colorado9.3 mi440 yd00$2.5M
May 22, 2008EF3Weld, Colorado24.26 mi1760 yd178$147.0M
June 15, 1988F3Denver, Colorado2.5 mi200 yd07$25.0M
June 6, 1990F3Lincoln, Colorado7 mi500 yd014$25.0M
March 28, 2007EF3Prowers, Colorado17 mi900 yd29$4.0M
May 31, 1999F3Lincoln, Colorado7 mi200 yd00$4.0M
August 8, 2023EF3Yuma, Colorado9.2 mi212 yd00$1.0M
July 5, 2000F3Logan, Colorado6 mi1320 yd02$750K
May 30, 1996F3Washington, Colorado0.5 mi1320 yd00$300K
June 27, 1960F3Sedgwick, Colorado6.5 mi33 yd23$250K
October 17, 1971F3Kiowa, Colorado5.6 mi500 yd00$250K
August 15, 1974F3Logan, Colorado2 mi150 yd00$250K
Did any of these records occur near a property you care about?Use an exact street address for a property-centered preview around Colorado.
Check a Colorado address

Top County Pages

Top Location Pages

Source And Limits

Data sourced from NOAA Storm Prediction Center and the NCEI Storm Events Database. TornadoTrace summarizes reported weather events for screening and research; it is not a damage assessment, inspection, or insurance determination. Coordinates and records can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. No warranty of completeness or accuracy.

Terms · Privacy