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All modes of severe weather possible today! Please note: severe weather will not be widespread along the Colorado Front Range but models have been focusing a lot of the stronger/severe storms along the Palmer Divide this afternoon. Since most of my viewers are in that area, that's why we're emphasizing staying weather aware this afternoon.

Here's the details:

Timing

  • Storms form along the foothills after 12PM.
  • We expect storms to be in/around the Palmer Divide Region after 2PM

Main Threats

  • High
    • Large hail is the primary threat today. Strong instability means lift will be sufficient to cycle hail enough so that it can grow to a decent size
    • Largest hail threat will be early in the storm's lifecycle - transitioning into a hail/wind threat throughout the afternoon
  • Medium
    • Tornadoes are possible today with an elevated threat primarily along the Palmer Divide in Douglas and Elbert county
    • Tornado mode will primarily be landspout/weak tornadoes and funnel clouds
    • Strong winds are likely with storms as well, especially later in their lifecycle
    • Winds could be strong enough to blow lightweight objects around and cause damage

Preparedness Actions for Friday Afternoon

  • Stay very weather aware this afternoon, especially South of Denver
  • If in the foothills be prepared to take shelter if storms approach your area around or after 12PM
  • Along the Palmer Divide be prepared to take shelter if storms are in the area after 2PM
  • Large hail is possible, be prepared to move cars and sensitive plants indoors

Elevated Tornado Threat - Palmer Divide

5% tornado risk in Colorado is usually something to pay attention to...

Large portions of the front range are under a 2% risk while the Palmer Divide and Colorado Springs areas are under a 5% risk. While that number is still pretty low, in my experience in Colorado a 5% risk can turn out to be quite active. We have no way of knowing how if or how many tornadoes we see today (if at all) but we do know the atmosphere will be somewhat supportive of them this afternoon in Douglas, Elbert, Teller and El Paso counties.

This is nothing to get worried about or panic about. Tornadoes will not be dropping all over the place... this is not that kind of event.

What you should know is that people in these areas need to stay very weather aware this afternoon and be prepared to take shelter.

 

Summary

An interesting day on tap today, this won't be the biggest severe weather event we've seen... but it will be the most significant storm day we've seen in at least the past several weeks. The ingredients are pretty established today so just make sure to stay weather aware and be prepared this afternoon.

As always, I'll be watching things and will pass along updated information as I can. For real time weather updates keep an eye on the National Weather Service.