Denver, Colorado – Drivers crossing eastern Colorado during volatile spring storms may face a life-threatening situation if a tornado suddenly develops nearby. Long rural corridors along Interstate 70, Interstate 25, and U.S. Highway 287 stretch across open plains where sturdy buildings can be miles away when severe thunderstorms begin rotating.
According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes occasionally develop across Colorado’s eastern plains during the spring as warm, moisture-rich air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cooler air moving over the Rocky Mountains. These storm systems can rapidly produce tornadoes with winds exceeding 100 mph, while blowing debris becomes the greatest threat to motorists caught along open highways.
Emergency managers warn that vehicles provide very little protection from tornado-force winds. If a tornado warning is issued while driving or a funnel cloud becomes visible, motorists should exit the roadway immediately and seek shelter in the nearest sturdy building. Gas stations, travel centers, and highway rest areas often offer significantly better protection than remaining inside a vehicle.
If no buildings are available along remote stretches of road, drivers should safely pull off the highway, leave the vehicle, and move to the lowest ground available such as a ditch or depression. Lying flat while covering the head and neck with your arms or a jacket can help reduce the risk of injury from flying debris.
NOAA safety guidance strongly warns drivers not to shelter beneath highway overpasses. Winds can accelerate beneath these structures, and debris may funnel through them, increasing the risk of serious injury.
Travelers across Colorado should monitor weather alerts closely during spring storm season before heading onto major highways. Tornado warnings can be issued with only minutes of lead time, and emergency officials say acting immediately is critical when storms intensify quickly.
