Does Denver Get Tornadoes? Common Natural Disasters in the Mile High City (2025)

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Planning a trip to Denver and wondering if the Mile High City has tornadoes? I grew up in Denver, so I have the answers!

I grew up just outside of Denver in Lakewood, Colorado. As a kid, I remember learning about what to do when I heard tornado sirens and occasionally sheltering in place when they went off. Most of the time, the sirens only alerted us to “funnel clouds” or tornadoes that never touched down, but occasionally they turned into actual tornadoes. 

Still, tornadoes are scary events! Having coverage on the news of houses being thrown around, stories of cows lifted from their pastures, and stalks of wheat pierced through tree trunks, I definitely have a healthy fear of these powerful winds. 

In this post, you’ll learn about tornadoes in Denver by the numbers, what to do if you suspect a tornado is coming, and other severe weather that you might encounter in Colorado. 

Table of Contents
Does Denver Get Tornadoes?
What To Do In Case of a Tornado
Other Common Natural Disasters in Denver
FAQs
Conclusion

Does Denver Get Tornadoes?

Yes, Denver does get tornadoes from time to time. However, tornadoes that actually touch ground are pretty rare; most often, the city experiences funnel clouds that look ominous but never cause any real damage. 

On average, Colorado experiences 27 tornadoes combined during the months of May and June. The month of June sees an average of 17 tornadoes each year, compared to only 10 in May. Of all Colorado counties, Weld County in northern Colorado experiences the most tornadoes.

The City and County of Denver has an outdoor siren warning system that will alert you of a tornado risk. The sirens are incredibly loud; you won’t miss them when they go off. If you hear these sirens, you need to seek shelter immediately. Sirens are tested at 11am on the second Wednesday of every month. 

Are Tornadoes Common in Denver?

Fortunately, tornadoes are not terribly common in Denver. Since 1950, Weld County has experienced 268 tornadoes, while the city and county of Denver only had 16 tornadoes since 1950. So, it’s very unlikely – but not impossible – that you’ll experience a tornado while visiting or living in Denver. 

On average, that means that Denver experiences about 2 tornadoes every decade, or one every 4.5 years or so. Statewide, Colorado experiences an average of 53 tornadoes each year, typically between the months of May through August. Most tornadoes form between 1pm and 8pm. 

Tornadoes are less common in Denver because of the city’s proximity to the Foothills and Rocky Mountains. Most tornadoes strike along I-25 and to the areas east of the highway, where the land is flatter and heat and moisture are more abundant in the lower atmosphere. 

How Powerful are Denver’s Tornadoes?

Tornadoes are measured using a version of the Fujita scale, which measures their intensity based on the damage to manmade structures and vegetation in the area where they occur. The scale ranges from F0 to F5, with F0 being minimal damage and F5 being catastrophic. 

The biggest tornado recorded in Denver since 1950 occurred on June 15, 1988. That tornado was an F3 that touched down in southern Denver and damaged 85 buildings. Seven people were injured during that event. 

Is It Safe to Visit Denver?

It is somewhat safe to visit Denver. As far as US cities go, Denver ranks towards the bottom in terms of safety – about as safe as Philadelphia. Fortunately, you’re very unlikely to have your trip interrupted by a tornado. The biggest risks when visiting Denver are related to property and violent crime. 

Other forms of severe weather, including lightning strikes, blizzards, and hail storms are all much more likely to strike while you’re in Denver. Severe weather is generally more dangerous in the mountains and in the backcountry, where shelter is harder to find, so you’re at a much greater risk when out camping or hiking. 

What To Do In Case of a Tornado

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee of safety during a tornado, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory. In the unlikely event that a tornado strikes while you’re visiting Denver, there are some ways that you can keep yourself safe. According to the National Weather Service, you’ll want to take the following precautions as soon as you become aware of a tornado threat:

✅ Go into a basement or interior room away from windows

✅ Avoid large, open rooms like a cafeteria or gymnasium 

✅ If you can’t find a basement, seek shelter inside a sturdy building. Sheds, storage facilities, and mobile homes are not safe places to be in the event of a tornado. 

✅ Vehicles are not safe places to shelter during a tornado. Drive to the closest sturdy building if you’re able to do so. 

✅ Otherwise, you can get down in your car and cover your head, or exit your car and take shelter in a ditch or ravine. 

✅ Assume all downed wires are live and stay away from them. Notify 911 or the utility company if you encounter any downed wires in the aftermath of a tornado or other natural disaster. 

Once you’re in a safe structure and away from the windows, cover yourself with blankets or a sturdy piece of furniture. The greatest risk from tornadoes is from flying debris and structural collapse, so this will help to protect you. 

Other Common Natural Disasters in Denver

While tornadoes are unlikely to be a significant threat during your visit to Denver, there are other weather events that are more likely to interrupt your visit. From winter blizzards to summer wildfires, here are the weather events you might encounter in Denver and ways that you can stay safe. 

Funnel Clouds

Funnel clouds are weather events where a rotating column of wind extends down vertically from a cloud. They’re the precursors to tornadoes, but they’re typically not considered dangerous. Per the National Weather Service guidelines, a funnel cloud is not considered a tornado until there is rotational dirt, debris, or spray at the bottom of the cloud. 

Although they’re usually harmless in Denver, funnel clouds can look very intimidating in the sky. They may look like small tornadoes stretching down, sometimes also creating eerie lighting in the sky. 

If you see a funnel cloud in the sky, take shelter immediately and wait out the storm. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and funnel clouds are precursors to tornadoes. 

Blizzards

While tornadoes are not terribly common in Denver, blizzards and other winter storms tend to hit much more often. Surprisingly, Denver sees the most snow during the month of March. The warmer March temperatures mean that the snow is wetter and heavier than 

The Westword ranked Denver’s biggest snowstorms in history and I wasn’t surprised to see the 2006 storm on the list. I remember there being snow high enough that you could jump off of the roof into it! Also, we were traveling by train from Denver to Chicago around the time of the blizzard, which was very lucky because basically all of the flights were canceled (we still got out!). 

Wildfires 

I want to start by clearly stating that you are very unlikely to experience a wildfire in Denver. Although wildfires impacting urban areas do happen in Colorado, they’re more likely to strike in Boulder or other areas closer to the foothills. The Coloradoan offers a Colorado wildfire map, with data about current fires that you can check anytime. 

During the hot, dry summers, the mountains can turn into tinderboxes, but wildfires sometimes strike even in the winter when conditions are dry and windy. 

One recent and very devastating fire was the Marshall Fire. This massive blaze was accidentally started in December 2021 by Boulder’s local cult, the Twelve Tribes (known for their local restaurant, the Yellow Deli), along with an Xcel Energy power line that sparked near the Marshall Mesa Trailhead. 

The Marshall Fire burned more than 1,000 homes and killed two people in and around Boulder County. It is considered the most destructive fire in Colorado history. 

Hail Storms

Denver has the worst hail storms of any place I’ve ever lived or visited, and, although they don’t usually harm people, they can seriously damage your car. Dented roofs, crashed windshields, and pockmarked exteriors are all common in the aftermath of a severe Colorado hail storm.  

Despite rarely injuring people, there was a hailstorm that struck during a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater in 2023 that pelted concertgoers with golf ball-sized hail. During the concert, 80 to 90 people were treated for injuries that they sustained during the hailstorm. 

The only way to ensure your safety during a hail storm is to seek shelter in a secure building or under a sturdy structure. When possible, try to avoid open parking lots on summer afternoons, especially on days when rain or thunderstorms are expected. I’ve heard of people who cover their car and windshield in cardboard to help protect them during storms. 

Lightning Storms

In terms of US states, Colorado receives an average number of lightning strikes as measured by cloud-to-ground flashes. Still, lightning strikes are dangerous weather events that injure approximately 12 people each year and kill approximately two. 

You can read the logs of lightning strike injuries and deaths in Colorado since 1980. In that time, there were three deaths and 25 lightning-related injuries in Denver County. By the numbers, you’re very unlikely to be injured by lightning when visiting Denver, but it’s always good to be cautious anytime you hear thunder. 

The National Weather Service issued the following public service announcement: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

The safest place to be during a lightning storm is inside of a building or in a car. You can read more about lightning safety tips from the National Weather Service, including what to do if you encounter lightning storms in the backcountry. 

Flash Floods

Flash foods are another event that you probably won’t experience in Denver, but they’re much more dangerous than tornadoes when they do happen. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, flash floods occur when there is a rapid event that creates more water than the ground is able to absorb. 

These events could include heavy rainfall, a breach in a dam, or rapidly melting snow, among other causes. They’re especially dangerous because of their speed. You’re more likely to experience a flash flood in the mountains, when the water rushes downhill and collects in a ravine or existing waterway.

In 2013, the Colorado towns of Lyons and Estes Park were pummeled with severe flooding in an event that meteorologists called a “once in 500 year flood.” In total, the flooding claimed nine lives and $4 billion worth of damage, a staggering catastrophe for such small Colorado towns. 

If you ever encounter a flash flood watch, warning, or emergency, there are some things that you can do to increase your chances of survival. Never drive into a flooded street, get to the highest point possible, and avoid underground subways and trains during high water conditions. 

FAQs: Does Denver Get Tornadoes

Planning to visit or move to Denver and still have questions about extreme weather in the city? Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked queries from other travelers. 

How often do tornadoes touch down in Denver?

Tornadoes touch down in Denver approximately once every 4.5 years. Thus, your chances of actually experiencing a tornado in Denver are very low. Funnel clouds that never touch down are much more common, and they’re the cause of most tornado sirens you’ll hear. 

Has Denver ever been hit by a tornado?

Yes, Denver has been hit by many tornadoes over the years. Luckily, they’re typically not as severe as the tornadoes that strike in other parts of the country, or even other parts of the state. The worst day for tornadoes since 1950 was June 15, 1988, when locals reported seeing three tornadoes touch down in a single day. 

What part of Colorado gets the most tornadoes?

The northern portion of the eastern plains of Colorado are the most likely to see tornadoes. Weld County in northern Colorado experiences the most tornadoes of any county in the state, followed by Adams County just north of Denver and Washington County to the east. The mountains are the least likely to see any tornadoes, with several counties having zero tornadoes since 1950. 

Is Denver safe from tornadoes?

No, Denver is not entirely safe from tornadoes. Funnel clouds and tornadoes occasionally strike in the Mile High City, but they’re more common in areas further from the Foothills and Rocky Mountains. It’s very unlikely that you’ll be hurt by a tornado in Denver, as tornado-related injuries and deaths in Denver are very rare. 

Conclusion: Does Denver Get Tornadoes?

Rest assured, you probably won’t experience a tornado while you’re visiting Denver, though you may see some funnel clouds that never touch down. Tornadoes are more common in other parts of the state, especially the areas further north. Remember, you should always take tornado sirens seriously when you hear them and take cover in a sturdy building away from the windows. 

Luckily for us in Colorado, only a tiny sliver of the state is included in the colloquial definition for Tornado Alley. Tornadoes are far more likely in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.  

Although tornadoes aren’t common in Denver, there are other extreme weather events you should be aware of before you visit. Wildfires, lightning storms, and hail storms are all common summer events in Denver, with the real potential for danger to people and property. In the winter, blizzards can sometimes shut the whole city down for days at a time.