Most of our tornadoes are weak, with wind speeds of less that 110 mph. But Colorado is occasionally visited by strong tornadoes. Six tornadoes in 1996 were comparable to the Limon tornado of 1990 in strength, with winds of 150 to 200 mph. Tornadoes have been reported 9 months of the year, and the peak season for tornadoes extends from mid May through mid August. Two thirds of Colorado's tornadoes develop in May and June.
Tornadoes are rare in Northwest Colorado, however they can happen at any place and at anytime.
The severity of a tornado is based on wind speed and the amount of property damage incurred. A major problem in responding to tornadoes is the short time they take to develop, their erratic movement and the tremendous forces they expend. Colorado is ranked sixth in the country for number of tornadoes. A tornado may be the most violent phenomenon found in nature. Winds can easily exceed 200 mph.