Amazing tornado images captured by travelers at Denver International Airport
It was a tense situation at Denver International Airport this afternoon, as a tornado touched down briefly nearby, causing staff to rush travelers into underground shelters while others were forced to ride out the storm sitting on the runway.
Traveler Jen Milazzo, who had apparently just arrived at the airport shortly before the tornado struck, snapped this incredible picture of the twister while on her way to the bus:
This is scary and yet totally amazing to see! #denver #tornadowarning pic.twitter.com/xQfod3JzST
— Jen Milazzo (@jmilazz) June 18, 2013
Meanwhile, a short distance away, having also just arrived on another flight, Jane Bush and her fellow passengers were in a slightly more precarious position:
Currently sitting in an airplane at Denver on the runway while every one in airport has gone to basement due to tornado warning — Jane Bush (@jbushchemteach) June 18, 2013
For those driving up to the airport, the view was even more ominous:
Tornado at Denver airport taken by @Brister pic.twitter.com/vGpXXIPB8b
— Laurie Edwards-Ryer (@LaurieEdwards1) June 18, 2013
As the twister passed over the airport, the National Weather Service airport weather station managed to capture some data from the storm... at least before it stopped working (possibly hit and damaged?):
Gust 84 kts recorded by #DIA ASOS as tornado moved over the equipment. We don't know what peak was as equipment went out! #COwx — NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) June 18, 2013
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This tornado was, apparently, only short-lived, and there have been no reports of injuries or damage. With the wind gust of 84 knots recorded at the airport weather station (that's over 155 km/h!), that puts it as a strong EF1 tornado, at the very least. However, it may have been even stronger. The Denver area, as well as most of northeastern Colorado, is still under a severe thunderstorm watch, and this was certainly an indication that tornadoes can develop from these storms.
(Photos courtesy: Jen Milazzo, Brian Horsfield)
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