Colorado Tornado Confirmed at 11,300 Feet, Among Highest Ever Recorded in State’s History

PUEBLO, Colorado — A rare high-elevation tornado has entered the record books after being confirmed along the northern slopes of Sawtooth Mountain earlier this month, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Pueblo.

Fourth-Highest Tornado in Colorado History

Meteorologists confirmed the tornado developed on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at an elevation of about 11,300 feet, making it the fourth-highest confirmed tornado in Colorado history.

Using satellite imagery and radar analysis, officials verified the storm’s rotation and brief touchdown. The tornado was rated EF-U (unknown) because no damage indicators were found in the remote mountain area.

Short-Lived but Historic

Survey data shows the twister touched down at 1:07 p.m. MDT, lasting about five minutes. It cut a path nearly 0.84 miles long and reached a maximum width of 95 yards.

No injuries, fatalities, or structural damage were reported, given the isolated location. Still, weather experts say its confirmation adds valuable insight into how tornadoes form at high elevations in mountainous terrain.

Rare Tornadoes in the Rockies

Most Colorado tornadoes form on the eastern plains, where warm, moist air collides with drier mountain air. High-elevation tornadoes, like the Sawtooth Mountain event, are considered exceptionally rare and highlight the state’s diverse and unpredictable severe weather patterns.

The NWS emphasized that while this storm caused no damage, it serves as a reminder that severe weather remains possible in Colorado’s high country, particularly in late summer and early fall.

The September 13 storm may have been brief, but its record-setting altitude makes it a standout in Colorado’s weather history. For more severe weather updates and storm coverage, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.