National Weather ServiceColoradoTornado WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Warnings in Colorado
The National Weather Service issued 69 tornado warnings for Colorado in 2025 and 87 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 17th most of any state. 2026 through September: 56, 36% below the average of 87 for those months in 2008-2025. Washington was covered most often (183 times since 2008).
How many tornado warnings does Colorado get?
Every tornado warning that covered part of Colorado. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 56 |
| 2025 | 69 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2023 | 179 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2021 | 81 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2019 | 92 |
| 2018 | 68 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2016 | 86 |
| 2015 | 127 |
| 2014 | 116 |
| 2013 | 83 |
| 2012 | 55 |
| 2011 | 72 |
| 2010 | 161 |
| 2009 | 113 |
| 2008 | 104 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Colorado get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Colorado?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 183 | 54 | July 4, 2026 |
| Weld | 167 | 24 | June 25, 2026 |
| Yuma | 139 | 25 | June 9, 2026 |
| Kit Carson | 136 | 22 | June 9, 2026 |
| Elbert | 134 | 13 | July 4, 2026 |
| Morgan | 116 | 25 | June 24, 2026 |
| Prowers | 115 | 29 | June 27, 2026 |
| Adams | 114 | 18 | June 8, 2026 |
| Kiowa | 108 | 19 | June 27, 2026 |
| Cheyenne | 102 | 15 | September 20, 2026 |
| Logan | 101 | 34 | August 22, 2026 |
| Lincoln | 99 | 12 | July 4, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest tornado warnings for Colorado in AreaZine's record
NWS GoodlandWarningSeptember 19, 2026
Tornado Warning: Cheyenne and Wallace, CO and KS
Expired 6:45 p.m. MDT, September 19, 2026
NWS DenverWarningJuly 3, 2026
Tornado Warning: Washington County, CO
Expired 8:15 p.m. MDT, July 3, 2026
NWS PuebloWarningJune 26, 2026
Tornado Warning: Bent, Kiowa and Prowers, CO
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, June 26, 2026
NWS DenverWarningJune 24, 2026
Tornado Warning: Weld, CO
Expired 8:15 p.m. MDT, June 24, 2026
NWS DenverWarningJune 22, 2026
Tornado Warning: Washington County, CO
Expired 7:30 p.m. MDT, June 22, 2026
NWS GoodlandWarningJune 8, 2026
Tornado Warning: Yuma, CO
Expired 7:45 p.m. MDT, June 8, 2026
NWS DenverWarningJune 8, 2026
Tornado Warning: Elbert, CO
Expired 6:00 p.m. MDT, June 8, 2026
NWS DenverWarningJune 1, 2026
Tornado Warning: Adams and Washington County, CO
Expired 4:15 p.m. MDT, June 1, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a tornado warning?
The NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been seen or weather radar indicates one in the warned area. Warnings are drawn as polygons around the storm's path and usually last 30 to 60 minutes. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Colorado.