Eastern Colorado Tornadoes - May 18, 2025

Overview

Four tornadoes occurred just to the south and east of
metro Denver in the early afternoon of Sunday, May 18th.

The first tornado that produced damage in northwest Elbert County was an uncharacteristically strong landspout, as well at the
last tornado that occurred north of Bennett. The other two tornadoes were more strongly associated with a parent thunderstorm, known as a supercell.

The following information is for four separate tornado tracks
surveyed on May 19th. The first is for the initial tornado, rated
EF2, in and near the Elkhorn neighborhood of extreme northwest
Elbert County, Colorado. The second is an EF1 that occurred south
of Manila Village. The third and fourth tornadoes were both ranked
EF2. These tornadoes tracked just to the west and north of
Bennett, Colorado. They were two separate tornadoes, and were both on the ground at the same time between 140 pm and 146 pm.
All data is preliminary and subject to change as new information is
received.

Captured by Sirlin John


Captured by Caryn Hill	Captured by Brandon Murphy	Captured by Brandon Murphy

Tornado
Radar
Photo & Video

Tornadoes

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NOTE: times shown below are local to your device's time zone.

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EF-Scale

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0 Weak 65-85 mph	EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph	EF2 Significant 111-135 mph	EF3 Severe 136-165 mph	EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph	EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph

Tornadoes that fail to impact any ratable structures on the EF-Scale are rated EF-Unknown (EF-U)

Radar

This animation shows reflectivity (left) and Doppler velocity (right) from the KFTG WSR-88D from 1-2 PM MDT on May 18, 2025. Each tornado is labeled and will move with the animation. The tornado label is always to the right and sometimes down from the actual tornado location. Damage tracks are overlaid on every frame for each of the 4 tornadoes. Green track #2 is EF-1 intensity, yellow tracks (tornadoes 1, 3, 4) are EF-2 intensity.

This animation shows reflectivity (left) and Doppler velocity (right) from the TDEN Terminal Doppler Radar from 1-2 PM MDT on May 18, 2025. Each tornado is labeled and will move with the animation. The tornado label is always to the right and sometimes down from the actual tornado location. Damage tracks are overlaid on every frame for each of the 4 tornadoes. Green track #2 is EF-1 intensity, yellow tracks (tornadoes 1, 3, 4) are EF-2 intensity.

Photos & Video


Taken during Storm Survey	Taken during Storm Survey	Captured by Caryn Hill	Captured by Caryn Hill

Taken during Storm Survey	Taken during Storm Survey	Taken during Storm Survey	Taken during Storm Survey

Taken during Storm Survey	Taken during Storm Survey	Taken during Storm Survey	Taken during Storm Survey

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