NWS: EF3 Tornado Produced 155 MPH Winds South of Granada

Description: The National Weather Service released the following preliminary damage report and EF-3 classification of the Prowers County Tornado on June 23, 2023... Photo by Meterologist Quincy Vagell...


Published: 06/25/2023
Byline: SECO News

Meterologist Quincy Vagell

NWS: EF3 Tornado Produced 155 MPH Winds South of Granada

Public Information Statement National Weather Service Pueblo, CO 315 PM MDT Sun Jun 25 2023

...Preliminary NWS Damage Survey for 06/23/23 Granada, Colorado Tornado Event...

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.

(Photo Courtesy of Prowers County Sheriff's Office - see more damage pics and data HERE)

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 two different county roads before heading back into open countryside and dissipating.

There was also a second damaging tornado, rated EF-1, that occurred this day on June 23, 2023. This tornado drifted across mostly open rural land across far southern Baca County east of Campo, Colorado for most of its lifespan.

At a point during the middle of the tornadoes life, it impacted an abandoned farm stead, damaging two structures on the property. After hitting this property, it continued to track southeast and across County Road 43, where it knocked down wooden power lines.

Also at this time, the tornado passed a couple hundred yards to the north of an occupied family farm, but no damage was reported at this location. After crossing County Road 43, the tornado drifted back into open countryside and eventually passed over the Colorado and Oklahoma state line, where it moved into the Oklahoma Panhandle. In addition, there was a third tornado on this day.

This tornado occurred in eastern Prowers County after the initial tornado. No known damage at this time from this tornado. In the absence of damage, this tornado will be rated EF-Unknown.

Information within is preliminary and will be updated as information becomes available.

...Granada 13 Miles South Tornado...

Rating: EF-3

Estimated Peak Wind: 155 mph

Path Length: 9.9 miles

Path Width: Unknown

Start Date: June, 23, 2023

Start Time: 5:40 PM MDT

Start Location: 13 Miles SSW of Granada, Colorado 37.8862/-102.3776

End Date: June, 23, 2023

End Time: 6:15 PM MDT

End Location: 17 Miles SSE of Granada, Colorado 37.8295/-102.2102

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

EFO...Weak......65 to 85 mph

EF1...Weak.... .86 to 110 mph

EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph to 165 mph

EF3...Strong....136 to 165

EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph

EF5...Violent... >200 mph

NOTE:

The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data.

Related Content:

Prowers County VS Tornado June 23, 2023

Prowers County Sheriff Releases Tornado Damage Info + Photos

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