Denver airport ground stop update: Tornado warnings across Colorado halt flights at DEN; here's the latest
A tornado warning is in effect for Logan County, Morgan County and Washington County in Colorado, lasting until 5pm local time on Wednesday.
Along with the warning, a tornado watch is also in effect for a large section of the Denver area into the northeast, lasting until 11pm local time. A severe thunderstorm watch is also active for the same area until 10pm local time.
Flights to Denver grounded due to severe weather
Because of the risk of severe weather, the FAA ordered a ground stop at Denver International Airport. Departures to Denver in the late afternoon were grounded as a result.
Denver International Airport was experiencing significant disruptions as of 5pm local time, with 521 delays and 19 cancellations reported by FlightAware.
Tornado watch issued for several Northeast Colorado counties
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch in Denver on June 24, from 3:52pm until 11 pm local time, applying to Adams, Arapahoe, Elbert, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Weld counties, as per Coloradoan.
The risk of severe weather in Colorado was expected to decrease after 7pm local time, though more severe conditions could return on Thursday and Friday.
At 3:52pm, the NWS issued a statement saying: “THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 389 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 p.m. MDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN COLORADO THIS WATCH INCLUDES 10 COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL COLORADO ELBERT LINCOLN IN NORTHEAST COLORADO ADAMS ARAPAHOE LOGAN MORGAN PHILLIPS SEDGWICK WASHINGTON WELD THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF AKRON, AURORA, CENTENNIAL, ELIZABETH, FORT MORGAN, GREELEY, HOLYOKE, JULESBURG, KIOWA, LIMON, STERLING, THORNTON, WESTMINSTER, AND WINDSOR.”
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Tornado watch vs warning: What’s the difference
As per Coloradoan, a tornado watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado to form, but none has formed yet. Watches can last for hours and a tornado may never actually touch down.
On the other hand, a tornado warning means a tornado is imminent and there could be rotation in the clouds, or one may have already touched down. In this case, people are advised to take shelter immediately.
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How to stay safe during a tornado
The National Weather Service advises getting as low as possible during a tornado, as per Coloradoan. A basement below ground level, or the lowest floor of a building, offers the greatest safety. People should put as many walls between themselves and the outside as possible and avoid windows.
If driving during a tornado warning, people should not try to outrun a tornado. Instead, they should look for ways to safely get off the road and out of their vehicle, preferably by seeking refuge in a sturdy building.