That was my view on southbound Weld County Parkway heading toward Keenesburg as a seven-minute landspout tornado was ongoing in Denver proper north of Dicks Sporting Goods Park. That was pretty much all today really produced, but that is a pretty big production. No, a landspout, one that was likely didn’t do any damage, isn’t a headliner in 99% of cases, but one in the metro definitely moves up a couple notches. Beyond that, sporatic reports of street flooding was about it. My storms, while advised for landspout potential, all rained themselves out pretty quick, and I ended up in Brighton in traffic and unable to really get to anything in time. I turned tail and came home when it was clear nothing was worth sticking out for. Frustrated in the moment as one often is when they are seeing reports of a landspout active in Denver, but the day as a whole was pretty much what I thought it would be if you take the spout out of the equation.
No changes in my thoughts for tomorrow… still likely to venture out, somewhere north of CO-86. No major changes in the ambient setup minus an increase in dynamics, so would suspect a similar evolution and initiation of storms that we’ve seen the last few days, so it may be a east side of Denver start, then follow out east until its not worth following anymore. With better dynamics in play, severe weather a bigger threat tomorrow than the last couple days, both of which did present some hefty storms, so I have reason to think we could see the best (or second best) chase day of this four-day stretch. No tornado risk in the afternoon SPC Day 2, and I don’t see that changing, even if landspouts get a nod from the local offices. Still a messy setup even with the better dynamics, so not a tornado day by any stretch. But eeking out a spout or two, not gonna rule it out.
Sunday is another marginal day, likely the last one of the stretch, which will close this five-day stint. I won’t rule out a backyard chase Sunday, but if I am being honest, I have not looked in great detail, but I would put my chase chances very low as of this entry. It appears to be a southern Colorado play, and a marginal setup four hour plus drive one-way on a Sunday probably won’t get a yes out of me.