Severe Storms Expected in Denver Metro

Scattered heavy showers & thunderstorms tracking northwards early tonight. 🌧️

The thunderstorms will be most frequent in the southwest. ⛈️

The showers will merge into a longer spell of heavy rain in the west & will track northeastwards across the country overnight. ☔️ pic.twitter.com/CJjocUSOTn

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 11, 2024

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Boulder warned that storms could drop up to 1 to 2 inches of rain in less than 45 minutes on Monday afternoon and evening in the Denver metro area and communities along Colorado’s Front Range and eastern plains. “Ingredients are about as good as we’ve seen all year for potential flash flooding,” stated the NWS in its forecast discussion. Strong to severe storms are possible, with risks including damaging winds and large hail.

“Eastern Colorado is under a marginal risk of severe weather.

There is a chance of strong thunderstorms for I-25 and the eastern plains of Colorado on Monday. https://t.co/hK1PL6pqkH

— Alex O'Brien (@WXAlexOBrien) August 12, 2024

We could see larger hail, wind gusts over 60 mph, and possibly isolated tornadoes,” said weather forecasters, who highlighted Denver, Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Aurora, Brighton, and other communities as areas of concern. Portions of eastern Colorado could see up to 2 to 3 inches of rain in an hour.

Thunderstorms will again move from the mountains to the plains this afternoon and evening. There is greater risk of severe storms and a continued threat of heavy rainfall and flash flooding today, especially over the recent burn areas, foothills, and east across the plains. #cowx pic.twitter.com/zgD3n0Qa4O

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) August 13, 2024

The highest threat of flash flooding is expected in the south/east sections of the Denver metro and the Palmer Divide due to urban flooding. Heaviest totals are anticipated in Elbert, Lincoln, and Washington Counties, but rainfall rates of 1-2 inches in 30-45 minutes are also possible closer to Denver and Douglas County. Recent burn scar areas in Colorado will also face a heightened flood threat.

Flash Flood Warning including Grover CO and Hereford CO until 3:00 AM MDT pic.twitter.com/PouTpEl3Fy

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) August 13, 2024

“We still think this will be one of the higher threat days we’ve seen this year, mainly for the recent burn areas,” added the NWS. A flash flood watch is in effect for metro Denver until 9 p.m. Monday.

Severe storms threaten Denver metro

The flood watch zone extends from Aurora, Denver, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver International Airport. The National Weather Service has warned that flooding could occur starting at 2 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Monday. Flooding of underpasses, streams, and low-lying urban areas is possible.

Heavy rain could impact areas beyond the metro with the potential of more than 3 to 4 inches of rain expected to hit Lincoln and Elbert counties and other areas on the Eastern Plains. The Palmer Divide, north of Colorado Springs, is also in the path of storms. During the late afternoon and early evening hours, Futurecast predicts much of the storm activity will move through Denver, with heavier storms lingering on the eastern plains.

“Limon, Akron, and up into Sterling could see a few strong storms, with continued moisture potentially reaching the mountains later in the evening,” said a weather forecaster. “We may see areas of fog early on Tuesday across the plains with lingering showers.”

The storm threat is expected to return Tuesday to the Denver metro and I-25 corridor, with potentially stronger thunderstorms again in the plains. The eastern plains could experience stronger storms on both Monday and Tuesday.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed with local weather forecasts and updates to ensure safety during these severe weather conditions. The National Weather Service meteorologists warned, “You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action (e.g., move to higher ground and avoid low-lying areas) should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.”