Tornado of the year: ‘Incredibly picturesque’ twister wows Wyoming storm watchers

By Jason Samenow

Jason Samenow

Editor and writer covering weather and climate

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June 7

In the Central Plains, the heart of tornado alley, twisters have been somewhat scarce in 2018. But Wyoming has turned into a tornado magnet. Wednesday evening, the state produced a visually stunning storm that spawned what’s probably became the most-photographed tornado of 2018.

The twister formed about seven to nine miles north of Laramie, in Albany County, and remained on the ground for at least 45 minutes. Some spotty damage was reported to structures, power lines and fencing, according to Cheyenne CBS affiliate KGWN, but there were no apparent injuries.

Set against open fields, farms, and rolling hills, the stovepipe shaped funnel was awe-inspiring to witness, but the National Weather Service office in Cheyenne urged caution.

“Tornado north of Laramie is still on the ground,” it tweeted. “As picturesque as it may look, we ask that you take shelter now. No picture is worth getting hurt.”

Satellite imagery presented a dramatic view of the parent thunderstorm erupting. Dakota Smith, a meteorologist based in Colorado, posted an animation of the billowing storm clouds while describing the resulting tornado as “incredibly picturesque.”

The National Weather Service has received 13 reports of tornadoes in Wyoming so far this year compared to 10 in Oklahoma, typically a twister hotbed. Last Friday, an EF-3 rated tornado on the 0-5 scale touched down near Gillette, Wyo.  It was the strongest tornado to strike the state in 30 years.

[Record few intense tornadoes have formed this year]

There is a slight risk of severe storms that could produce tornadoes in eastern Wyoming again on Thursday.

Below find a remarkable compilation of videos and photographs of Wednesday’s tornado.

Video

Photographs