National Weather ServiceColoradoTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Colorado
The National Weather Service issued 6 tornado watches for Colorado in 2025 and 7 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 26th most of any state. 2026 through September: 3, 54% below the average of 7 for those months in 2008-2025. Kit Carson was covered most often (76 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Colorado get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Colorado. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 3 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2008 | 8 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit Carson | 76 | 10 | June 24, 2026 |
| Yuma | 76 | 10 | June 24, 2026 |
| Washington | 73 | 11 | June 24, 2026 |
| Logan | 68 | 9 | June 24, 2026 |
| Cheyenne | 64 | 9 | June 24, 2026 |
| Morgan | 61 | 8 | June 24, 2026 |
| Phillips | 58 | 7 | June 24, 2026 |
| Weld | 58 | 8 | June 24, 2026 |
| Sedgwick | 57 | 8 | June 24, 2026 |
| Lincoln | 49 | 6 | June 24, 2026 |
| Elbert | 47 | 5 | June 24, 2026 |
| Arapahoe | 45 | 5 | June 24, 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.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Colorado.