Update 4:25 p.m.: Another severe thunderstorm warning is active for portions of El Paso County because of the threat of 70 mph winds and egg-sized hail.
The storm is expected to impact Fountain, Security and surrounding communities, according to the National Weather Service.
Flash flooding is expected to continue throughout the Colorado Springs area for the rest of the evening, the said on social media. People should never drive into standing water, and just a foot of fast-moving water can sweep most cars away, agency officials said.
A f is in effect until at least 5:30 p.m., weather officials said.
Update 2:55 p.m.: Severe thunderstorms moving across the Front Range could bring damaging wind and hail across metro Denver this afternoon, according weather alerts issued by National Weather Service forecasters.
A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for parts of Jefferson, Boulder and Broomfield counties, with the chance of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail, forecasters wrote.
Impacted communities may include Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Broomfield, Wheat Ridge, Golden, the White Ranch open space, Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, Eldorado Springs, Pleasant View and Crescent Village.
A severe thunderstorm watch is active across most of the Front Range and Eastern Plains until 10 p.m., including Denver, Douglas, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Boulder, Broomfield, Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Elbert, El Paso, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Larimer, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Otero, Prowers, Pueblo, Washington and Weld counties.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming until 10 PM MDT
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder)
Update 2:35 p.m.: A flash flood warning is in effect for Manitou Springs and western Colorado Springs, according to the
People should immediately move to higher ground and away from any burn scars. The warning lasts until 5:30 p.m.
Weather radars show 1-2 inches of rain have already fallen and flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses could be impacted, and mud slides are also possible on steep terrain, officials said.
“This is a life-threatening situation,” forecasters wrote. “Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places. If you encounter flood waters, climb to safety.”
Update 2:15 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm is expected to bring 60 mph winds and quarter-sized hail to parts of El Paso and Teller counties on Wednesday afternoon, including Colorado Springs, .
Forecasters issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area at 2 p.m. and said a storm over Manitou Springs is moving east and could cause hail and wind damage. The U.S. Air Force Academy, Cascade and Chipita Park could also see storm impacts.
People should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building, officials said.
Original story: Severe thunderstorms are forecast Wednesday afternoon across Colorado’s Interstate 25 corridor and Eastern Plains, according to the National Weather Service.
Thunderstorms will develop over the mountains before moving into the Front Range and the Eastern Plains just after noon, .
The afternoon storms threaten to bring large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain, forecasters said. Tornadoes are also possible.
Severe storms expected along the I-25 corridor will include the Denver area and Denver International Airport, forecasters said.
Rain and thunder are forecast through roughly 11 p.m. Wednesday in Denver, according to . The strongest chance for storms is between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., .
This is a developing story and may be updated.
