July 21st, 2000 - Riverside Reservoir

Finally, my first tornado of the year 2000! After a busy week at work, I decided I needed a break so I took Friday off. It paid off. I checked the RUC early in the morning and noted strong southeast surface winds were projected for N.E. Colorado around Sterling, dew points in the low 60's and a reasonable jet stream at 300 mb. The Storm Prediction Center discussed upslope moisture initiating storms off high plains just east of the mountains of Wyoming and Colorado. I set as a target the town of New Raymer in Weld County and left home about 11:30 AM.

While sitting about 15 miles north of New Raymer At about 2:45 PM a Tornado Watch was posted across Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska panhandle, I was hoping this was my lucky day. The early storm was very unorganized with many lowering and individual cells as I looked north toward Wyoming. My hopes for a tornado increased while a few cells intensified. I noted a possible brief funnel formed to my northwest. Eventually however, the cells actually seemed to weaken. After a brief snake encounter I dropped south back to New Raymer and decided head further east toward Sterling. I noted that much stronger cells were forming southeast of Sterling which verified by a severe thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service for a cell around Akron, I thought shucks busted again. Then while entering Sterling at about 5:40 PM a tornado warning was issued for a cell over Briggsdale, darn I was just there. I made a u-turn and headed back down Highway 14 toward New Raymer. Finally a tornado!

Lighting and developing cells looking NW north of New Raymer.	A brief funnel looking NW from New Raymer at 2:40 PM.	A snake encounter on the road while looking at lowering to the right.	Interesting lowering without rotation.

View of wall cloud from Highway 14 looking Southwest.	A lowering from base of wall cloud with dust swirls at 6:00 PM.	Wall Cloud becoming more ragged with dust swirls or rain.	Reorganizing rotation.

A new dish shaped lowering under the wall cloud.	Touchdown!!!	Looking west from Highway 52 south of New Raymer.	Still going at 6:12 PM.

Losing it's strength, looking west.	Funnel slowly dissipating.	Funnel is roping out after photogenic trip across the open plains, 6:16 PM.	A beautiful sunset by Last Chance during my trip home.