Heavy rain moved in the western metro area this evening. Heavy rain and thunder also was being reported in Douglas County, including Highlands Ranch, according to Doppler radar.
The National Weather Service said the showers and thunderstorms are likely until midnight in the metro area. Temperatures could cool to around 60 degrees, with wind gusts up to 23 mph.
A severe thunderstorm watch for 19 Colorado counties is set to expire at 9 p.m., however.
That severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for 19 counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Elbert, Douglas, Grand, Gilpin, Jackson, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan, Morgan, Park, Phillips, Sedgwick, Summit, Washington and Weld counties.
A line of thunderstorms that moved through Boulder and Gilpin counties late this afternoon produced wind gusts up to 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Winds up to 80 mph were reported near Red Feathers Lake, 27 miles northwest of Fort Collins, and 83 mph in Granby.
Later, at about 6 p.m., a severe thunderstorm produced quarter-sized hail southeast of Julesberg.
Meanwhile, temperatures in the 70s and 80s in the high country today continued to spur the snowmelt that has many rivers near flood stage.
The Big Thompson River above Lake Estes in southwest Larimer County, including Estes Park, is under a flood advisory until noon Saturday, the National Weather Service stated.
High winds, thunderstorms that produce lightning and dry conditions continue to generate fire danger in southern Colorado.
Much of the region is under a “red flag” fire danger warning until 9 p.m.
Lightning strikes and high wind Wednesday afternoon produced a handful of fires along the Front Range, including the 20-acre Coffintop fire in the Arapaho National Forest near Lyons, which was burning this afternoon.
“People are being urged to remain vigilant throughout the holiday weekend and coming weeks regarding fire danger in all areas of the state,” the U.S. Forest Service stated in a fire update.
“Fire danger across the nation is at a high and people need to remember that we are now entering a time of year when it can increase even more. Being aware and cautious of fire bans in areas that you live and travel in is crucial to keeping large fires to a minimum.”
