EF3 Tornado — Prowers, Colorado

2023-06-23 · near Granada, Prowers, Colorado

Event narrative

A well documented strong and long lasting EF-3 tornado meandered across Prowers County south of Granada, Colorado, on June 23, 2023, remaining over open countryside for most of its life. Early during the tornadoes lifespan, it heavily impacted a family farm. Two wooden barns were completely destroyed, with little evidence

remaining of them other than the outline where they once stood. A metal farm outbuilding was virtually gone, with only the twisted steel beam reinforcements remaining. The primary family house was completely destroyed, with only a part of an interior wall still in place. After impacting the family home, the tornado continued to the southeast and knocked down power lines along County Road 25 before heading back into open countryside and dissipating.

Wider weather episode

Exceptionally severe weather continues over southern Colorado with the continued deluge of moist air coming from the Pacific and remnant moisture from previous moisture from widespread heavy rainfall. The most notable weather feature was an EF3 tornado that hit a farm located in Prowers County. This was only the 3rd EF3 tornado recorded since NWS modernization in 1995.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.8900, -102.3800)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1115820. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.