Tornadoes touch down near Denver, Colorado by Alex Deakin
At least three tornadoes touched down near Denver in Colorado on Sunday afternoon as severe thunderstorms swept across the state.
The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings across southern Colorado after storms spawned funnel clouds just south of Denver. There were no reports of injuries or loss of life, as the tornadoes miraculously avoided built-up areas around the towns of Castle Rock and Parker. However, trees and power lines were torn up and left strewed along the tornadoes’ paths.
Spectacular lightning displays were observed around Douglas and Elbert counties along with torrential rain that gave rise to temporary flash flooding. Much of Parker was pounded with hailstones as the storms moved away east leaving it resembling a winter scene for many.
Sunday’s isolated cluster of severe thunderstorms developed in result of an upper level disturbance. The storms broke out during the afternoon when ground heating from the sun was at its highest. The storms raged through the afternoon until they dissipated on Sunday evening.
Much of Colorado can expect some drier and more settled weather for the rest of today with only a few scattered showers likely.
