Saguache County, CO – The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that a tornado which touched down in the Sawtooth Mountain area last month was stronger than first reported.
According to the NWS Pueblo office, images provided by the Saguache County Emergency Manager showed significant tree damage along the storm’s path. Based on this new evidence, officials upgraded the September 13 tornado to an EF-1, with estimated peak winds of 88 mph.
The twister struck between 1:07 and 1:12 p.m. MDT, cutting a path nearly 0.84 miles long and 95 yards wide. Fortunately, no injuries or deaths were reported.
EF-1 tornadoes are capable of moderate damage, including uprooted trees and roof damage to homes. This rare mountain tornado highlights the unpredictable nature of Colorado’s severe weather season, which typically peaks in late summer and early fall.
Emergency officials continue to encourage residents and hikers in high-country areas to stay alert during sudden storms, even outside the traditional tornado-prone regions of the eastern plains.
This marks one of the more unusual tornado confirmations in Colorado this year, given its location in rugged, high-elevation terrain.
