Funnel Cloud — Custer, Colorado

2019-07-22 · near Westcliffe, Custer, Colorado

Event narrative

Spotter reported a funnel cloud near Lake DeWeese.

Wider weather episode

A rather rare event took place on July 22, 2019 in the town of Westcliffe, CO, a tornado touched down. The last time a tornado touched down in Westcliffe, elevation of 8,500 feet, was back in the mid 1980s, per anecdotal evidence from the local population.

The tornado touched down near William Avenue traveling in a southeast to northwest direction. A continuous path of damage was seen for one-third of a mile before lifting as it crossed Vista Dr. No further visible damage was seen beyond this point

but witnesses said the tornado touched down again before nearing Wolf Street and then lifted for a final time. Much of the damage included canopies, carports, RVs, and gazebos. No primary residence damage was seen outside of a few missing

shingles, peeled up metal roofing, and a few blown in windows by flying debris. One carport awning was lifted off the ground nearly 100 feet and then carried nearly 100 yards before it was dropped onto a nearby roof. No injuries were reported.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.1900, -105.4700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 847785. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.