Golf-ball-sized hail and heavy rain pounded northern Colorado Springs on Thursday afternoon as a stretch of storms expected to last into next week continued to hammer the state.
Officials said hail piled up to 8 inches deep in spots.
Eight to 10 snowplows were dispatched, and the State Patrol said Interstate 25 was closed briefly while the plows cleared the hail.
A flash flood warning was issued for much of El Paso County as water rose in streams and streets and traffic stalled. The warning eventually was lifted as the system moved to the northeast.
Later, a tornado warning was issued for parts of Weld County — including Fort Lupton — as a weak tornado was spotted south of that town.
The thin funnel cloud could be seen from many parts of Brighton and from Denver International Airport at about 7 p.m.
A funnel cloud also was reported near Trinidad.
The rain, expected to continue into early next week, has led some oil and gas outfits to shut down operations at well sites near the St. Vrain River as a precaution.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission says those who have not stopped their work are monitoring conditions.
“We’ve emphasized that any operators with locations near rivers in Boulder and Weld counties need to be monitoring the situation,” said Todd Hartman, a COGCC spokesman.
More rain and thunderstorms are expected to stick around into next week, including possible snow during the weekend.
The influx of moisture is being monitored by geologists and road officials alike.
Recent rains are being blamed for spreading tar across Interstate 25 lanes north of Denver this week that was put down during crack seal work last month.
“With the rain, the material itself didn’t bond properly,” said Amy Ford, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation. “It’s a little bit of a rough ride, but not a safety issue. It’s more aesthetic.”
Ford said most of the tar problem spans between 144th Avenue and Colorado 7.
CDOT says it is monitoring road conditions across the state, including rockfall, landslide and flood threats.
“We’re keeping an eye on state highways that are on burn areas and are vulnerable,” Ford said.
The rain is expected to continue Friday, with showers likely and thunderstorms possible after 1 p.m. and a high near 55 degrees. More rain is likely Saturday before turning to a mix of rain and snow overnight.
