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On Sunday, a powerful storm system triggered multiple tornadoes across Colorado, especially in rural communities outside Denver, alarming residents and causing widespread damage.
Greg Heavener, a forecaster with the National Weather Service (NWS), confirmed several tornado sightings, although the extent of the destruction remains unclear.
In Elbert County, southeast of Denver, several tornadoes were also spotted, contributing to property damage and power outages.
Damage and Impact on Communities
Kara Gerczynski, public information officer for Elizabeth Fire Rescue, reported that 19 homes experienced varying levels of destruction. Additionally, numerous residents were left without electricity by Sunday evening.
Social media was flooded with videos showing funnel clouds sweeping through neighborhoods. Some of these storms were strong enough to flatten homes, scattering debris across communities.
One notable funnel cloud was seen near Bennett, Colorado, and could be viewed from Denver International Airport, which had to implement a brief ground stop for safety reasons.
Current and Upcoming Weather Threats
According to the NWS Storm Prediction Center, the severe weather threat is forecasted to continue into Monday, bringing risks of:
- Large hail (exceeding golf ball size)
- Strong wind gusts
- Tornadoes
The affected regions include a wide portion of the central U.S., especially the southern and central Great Plains, and extending into Missouri.
Storm Risk Zones: Sunday and Monday
| Date | High-Risk Areas | Main Threats |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Northern Texas, Western Oklahoma, Kansas, NE Colorado | Tornadoes, Hail, Damaging Winds |
| Monday | Central Plains, Missouri, NW Arkansas | Tornadoes, Flash Floods, Large Hail |
Tornadoes Continue After Deadly Week in Midwest
This fresh outbreak of extreme weather follows Friday’s deadly tornadoes, which devastated parts of the Midwest and Northeast.
In Missouri and Kentucky, at least 25 people lost their lives, and a rare dust storm swept across central Illinois and into Chicago.
Staff Shortages Impact Weather Service Preparedness
As the storms intensified, the National Weather Service was already dealing with a significant staffing crisis. Nearly 600 staff members have exited the agency due to layoffs and retirements initiated during the previous administration.
- In Jackson, Kentucky, the local NWS office almost operated without an overnight forecaster during Friday’s tornadoes.
- A last-minute “all hands on deck” effort kept the office running, issuing 11 tornado warnings.
Several other forecast offices facing or approaching similar shortfalls include:
- Sacramento, CA
- Hanford, CA
- Goodland, KS
- Cheyenne, WY
- Marquette, MI
- Pendleton, OR
- Fairbanks, AK
Severe Weather Outlook: A Classic Tornado Setup
Brian Hurley, a meteorologist from the Weather Prediction Center, emphasized that the primary concern was hail, expected to reach golf to baseball size.
Key cities such as Wichita and Topeka, Kansas, are under threat from supercell storms, which are long-lasting and capable of producing intense hail, strong winds, and tornadoes.
The Storm Prediction Center has marked central and southern Kansas into Oklahoma as a Level 4 out of 5 on the severe weather risk scale.
Unprecedented Atmospheric Conditions
According to Sean Waugh of NOAA’s Severe Storms Laboratory, the forecast environment over the southern Plains presents a volatile setup not seen in 5–10 years.
The highest risk zones for damaging weather include:
- Eastern Kansas and Oklahoma
- North Texas
- Missouri
- Northwest Arkansas
Extended Weather Threat Through Midweek
The storm system is expected to shift eastward by Tuesday, increasing the risk of severe weather in the:
- Midwest
- Tennessee Valley
- Ohio Valley
Heavy rainfall is also forecasted, with threats of flash flooding, especially over the central Plains and into Missouri and Arkansas.
“Wind and hail will remain the major threats,” said Brian Hurley, “but flash flooding could also occur in vulnerable areas. This is a typical late-May storm pattern across the U.S.”
The recent tornado outbreak in Colorado and the ongoing severe weather across the Midwest and Great Plains mark one of the most volatile spring weather patterns in recent years.
With hail, high winds, tornadoes, and even flash flooding expected to persist, residents across affected regions should remain alert and closely monitor weather updates.