DENVER, Colo. (April 21, 2026) — While wildfire danger is expected to be high over the coming months, other disaster risks remain, including tornadoes. The American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming reminds Coloradans to be prepared in case a tornado happens in their community.

Historically, May is the start of tornado season across Colorado and Wyoming. Colorado averages more than 50 tornadoes per year, according to the National Weather Service.

According to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, Weld County has the most tornadoes reported in the U.S. since 1950, with 292 tornadoes reported. Adams County also ranks among the top 10 counties in the U.S. for tornado reports, with 192 tornadoes reported since 1950.

While many tornadoes happen in the open plains in counties east of Interstate 25, tornadoes can happen almost anywhere in the state:

• Urban areas have been affected by tornadoes, like Windsor, Colo., in 2008; Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree, Colo., in 2023; and in both Cheyenne and Colorado Springs during the summer of 1979.
• Tornadoes can also happen at higher elevations; a tornado touched down at 7,000 feet of elevation in Albany County, Wyo., in 2019 and in 2025, a tornado was spotted at over 9,000 feet of elevation near Divide, Colo.

Preparing for Tornadoes

One of the most important things you can do to be ready for a tornado is to know where you will shelter and to have a plan. The Red Cross and National Weather Service recommend the following:

• Find a safe room built to withstand high winds. This can be a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room with no windows on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
• If you live in an apartment and cannot move to a lower floor, shelter in an enclosed hallway in the center of a building.
• If you are at work or school, follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly.
  • Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums.
• Mobile, manufactured, trailer homes and recreational vehicles are not safe in high wind events. Plan ahead by finding a sturdy building to shelter in before a tornado watch or warning; sheds and storage facilities are not safe.
• Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.

With your entire household, practice moving quickly to the safe locations that you identified. If your shelter is outside of your home, practice evacuating there. Make sure your emergency plan also includes an emergency meeting place and related information.

Additionally:

• Make sure you are signed up for local emergency alerts and know how to receive updates, whether from local news, a weather radio, or the Red Cross Emergency App.
  • Know how your community will alert you in case of a tornado. Some may use outdoor sirens, while others may use text messaging. Have multiple ways to receive an alert.
• Have a backup battery or a way to charge your cell phone, and in case of a power outage, have a battery-powered radio. Plan for extra electrical needs, such as medical equipment.
• Have an emergency kit, including food, water, medicine and copies of any personal, financial and medical records (either as a digital backup or a secure hard copy).
• Learn emergency skills, such as first aid or CPR. The Red Cross offers training on these topics; visit https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class to register.

What to Do During a Watch or Warning

Know the difference between a tornado watch, warning and emergency:

• A tornado watch is issued when tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area.
• A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is indicated by radar or has been spotted.
• A tornado emergency is issued when a large and/or violent tornado has been observed in a highly populated area, with a severe threat to human life and the possibility of catastrophic damage.

You may not always receive a tornado warning, as a tornado may quickly form, be obscured by heavy rainfall or come at nighttime. Know the signs of a tornado and take shelter if you feel you are in danger.

If a tornado watch is issued for your area:

• Closely monitor weather conditions. Tune in to radio, TV or other trusted news sources for the latest information.

If a tornado warning or emergency is issued, or if you suspect a tornado is imminent:

• Seek safe shelter right away. After getting to shelter, use your arms to protect your head and neck.
  • If you are outdoors, do not take shelter under an overpass. Overpasses do not provide protection from tornadic winds or debris. Taking shelter under an overpass can also block the road for traffic and emergency first responders, imperiling others.

More tips on how to be prepared for tornadoes can be found on the Red Cross website.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.