EF-1 Tornado Causes Tree Damage in Woodland Park Confirmed by Weather Service

On July 30, an EF-1 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 110 mph struck the northern part of Woodland Park, as verified by the National Weather Service in Pueblo after a damage evaluation conducted on Monday. The tornado, spanning 50 yards at its widest point, lasted six minutes and traveled approximately 0.8 miles, resulting in significant damage to trees. "Fortunately, the tornado primarily affected trees, avoiding damage to other structures," stated meteorologist Eric Petersen. "An wind speed of 110 mph can cause considerable destruction to buildings and other property if it impacts developed areas." This tornado's peak wind velocity aligns with the upper limit for EF-1 classification, which ranges from 86 to 110 mph. Petersen noted that mountain tornadoes tend to be brief due to weaker rotation, and while such events are not entirely uncommon, they are relatively rare in Teller County. He added, "We've observed a few tornadoes in Teller County over the past year or two, making this occurrence somewhat unusual but not unprecedented." Earlier in June, another EF-1 tornado with winds reaching 106 mph affected an area near Divide in Teller County. Additionally, on the same day a...