A line of strong thunderstorms developed over eastern Colorado during the late afternoon hours of June 15th, and continued to intensify as they moved into NW Kansas and SW Nebraska during the evening hours. The first reports of severe weather were received between 6:30 and 7:30 pm MDT over Cheyenne and Kit Carson Counties in Colorado. Strong thunderstorm outflow near 60 mph reduced visibility to near zero in blowing dirt in Cheyenne Wells while tree and roof damage was reported in Bethune. Dime to quarter size hail was also reported with some of the storms.
The line of thunderstorms continued to strengthen over western Kansas during the evening. A brief tornado occurred southwest of Tribune, Kansas at 7:06 pm which damaged a row of trees but otherwise remained over open fields. Thunderstorm downburst winds increased to between 70 and 90 mph which brought down power poles in Wallace and Thomas counties and damaged a storage complax and a city well building in Colby. Meanwhile, hail to the size of golfballs and flooding was also occurring in some areas. Decatur County, Kansas reported winds near 100 mph west and southwest of Oberlin at 9:20 pm MDT which brought down trees and powerlines and damaged outbuildings.
In addition to damage, the thunderstorms brought a good general soaking rainfall to most of the Tri-State area. Precipitation amounts from co-op observers and automated raingauges showed 24-hour rainfall totals from 0.25 to 1.00 inch and isolated amounts of 1 to 3 inches.
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