Update 6:50 p.m.: Forecasters issued and storm warnings for parts of the Eastern Plains as weather spotters reported hail the size of apples and tennis balls on Thursday night.
Weather radars showed a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado at 6:49 p.m. in northwestern Kit Carson County, according to a National Weather Service alert. People in the area should take cover, move to a basement or interior room and avoid windows.
Trained spotters reported 3-inch hail in south Washington County near Thurman, which is between U.S. 36 and Interstate 70.
Forecasters also issued a for southeastern Washington County until 9:45 p.m. because of heavy rain, with 2-3 inches already fallen and another inch possible.
The warning area includes the Arikaree River, North Fork Arikaree River and Gordon Creek, NWS officials said. People in the area should not drive on flooded roads.
Update 3 p.m.: National Weather Service forecasters issued another severe thunderstorm watch for Colorado’s Eastern Plains on Thursday afternoon, extending the alert to the Wyoming state line.
There could be tornadoes, scattered hail up to 2 inches and isolated wind gusts up to 70 mph on the plains, forecasters said in the alert.
The now includes Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Washington and Yuma counties.
Original story: Tornadoes, golf-ball-sized hail and 70 mph winds will be possible Thursday afternoon on Colorado’s Eastern Plains, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters issued a severe thunderstorm watch for southeastern Colorado until 9 p.m., including Baca, Bent, Las Animas, Otero and Prowers counties.
Strong to severe storms are also expected to form east of Denver International Airport after 3 p.m. Thursday, .
“The primary threats are large hail and damaging winds,” forecasters wrote on social media. “A couple of tornadoes may occur as well. Have a way to receive warnings!”
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas until 10 PM CDT
— NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo)
Hail is expected to be up to 1 3/4 inches in diameter in the northeastern plains, forecasters said, . Up to 2-inch hail is forecast in the southeast, between the size of a golf ball and a tennis ball, according to a from the weather service.
Non-tornado winds above 50 mph are considered damaging, , which is part of the same federal agency as the weather service.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
