Cripple Creek, Colorado

The following is a list of severe thunderstorm safety rules that
can be passed along to residents of and visitors to southern
Colorado.

Severe thunderstorms can bring damaging winds well over 60 mph.
Go to a strong building and get to the lowest level away from
windows. Lightning is a danger with every thunderstorm... so try
to get indoors. If caught outside... get in a vehicle... do not
touch metal objects... and avoid water.

In thunderstorms with little rain... gusty winds well over 60 mph
are possible. Do not be tempted to stay outdoors... as deadly
lightning can strike in nearby areas where it is not raining. Go
to a strong building and stay away from windows... electrical
appliances... and telephones... until the storm has passed into the
distance. Severe thunderstorms over water... especially
reservoirs... can be very dangerous... producing deadly lightning...
3/4 inch or larger destructive hail... and gusty winds well over
60 mph... which can capsize and sink boats. Boaters and those who
are fishing must go to short and find shelter on land before
severe storms arrive.

Tornado-like features are frequently seen in the San Luis
valley... and fairly common in the rest of southern Colorado.
Strongly heated air moves upward rapidly and is replaced by
swirling winds at and near the ground... creating dust devils.
Dust devils can move under towering clouds and evolve into
tornados. Cold air funnels are fairly weak rotations... that can
touch ground briefly. Both can bring damage in a small area...
and are rarely life threatening.

If you see severe weather... which is 3/4 inch or larger diameter
hail damaging winds greater than 58 mph... or a tornado... contact
your local law enforcement agency and ask them to relay your
information to the National Weather Service in Pueblo.