The Power of Nature: A Chaser's View of the Goshen County Tornado (June 5, 2009) 

June 5, 2009: Goshen County, Wyoming Tornado
A Photogenic Phenomenon: This EF2 tornado, with winds reaching 135 mph, carved a 30-mile path across Goshen County on June 5th, 2009. It etched itself into Wyoming's weather history not just for its strength, but for being exceptionally well-documented. Many witnessed the event, including storm chasers and researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) VORTEX2 project, which studies tornado formation.
Research Goldmine: The VORTEX2 team captured a goldmine of data throughout the tornado's lifecycle. Mobile radars, weather stations, and photography provided a comprehensive picture of the storm's evolution, from its development to dissipation. This data has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of how tornadoes form, strengthen, and weaken.
Limited Damage, Lasting Impact: Luckily, the tornado's path remained primarily in open areas. While it uprooted trees, snapped power lines, and damaged farmhouses, there were thankfully no injuries. The storm's impact, however, extended beyond the immediate damage. The VORTEX2 project's research using data from this event has contributed significantly to our ability to predict and potentially mitigate future tornadoes.
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NWS Cheyenne, WY Overview:
The most photogenic tornado in Wyoming history occurred on June 5, 2009 in southern Goshen County. The EF2 tornado was observed by many parties including the NOAA VORTEX2 research team and The Weather Channel.
The first tornado report was received at 4:07 pm, 11 miles west of La Grange, Wyoming. The tornado continued its eastward trek for approximately 30 miles.
The National Weather Service storm damage assessment team documented uprooted trees, broken power lines, and broken windows at farm homes. The tornado remained in open country and no injuries were reported.