Tim Stoecklein
EF5
I was chomping at the bit to be in northeast CO this morning, but I knew babysitting my son would keep me very close to home today. We were pleasantly surprised when cells started popping around CO Springs. NWS Pueblo was asking for anyone with eyes on the cell that popped just east of town around 1pm, so I loaded up the gear and my son for a quick peek.
While the original cell still bared some attention, a new cell fired on the west side of town, and it rapidly developed as it moved SE at around 20mph. I split the two cells headed south on Hwy 24 to Hwy 94, then went east a bit for a vantage point on both cells. By this time we had activated a WX net with the local Skywarn group.
Shortly after 2pm a funnel formed, and was quickly confirmed to be touching down in the vicinity of the Security/Widefield area along I25. From my vantage point I could not confirm the touchdown, but PUB received quick confirmation from our spotters on the ground. Luckily it spent a relatively short time on the ground, and I have yet to hear of any damage.
We followed the two cells, both TOR warned to the El Paso/Pueblo county line before calling no joy. An interesting, albeit quick, chase close to home. I'm happy to say I've bagged my first tornado since moving to the high plains/front range area. Sorry, no pictures of high enough quality to even share...
While the original cell still bared some attention, a new cell fired on the west side of town, and it rapidly developed as it moved SE at around 20mph. I split the two cells headed south on Hwy 24 to Hwy 94, then went east a bit for a vantage point on both cells. By this time we had activated a WX net with the local Skywarn group.
Shortly after 2pm a funnel formed, and was quickly confirmed to be touching down in the vicinity of the Security/Widefield area along I25. From my vantage point I could not confirm the touchdown, but PUB received quick confirmation from our spotters on the ground. Luckily it spent a relatively short time on the ground, and I have yet to hear of any damage.
We followed the two cells, both TOR warned to the El Paso/Pueblo county line before calling no joy. An interesting, albeit quick, chase close to home. I'm happy to say I've bagged my first tornado since moving to the high plains/front range area. Sorry, no pictures of high enough quality to even share...