Flash flood watch, heavy rain with lightning storms

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch covering metro Denver and most of Colorado’s Front Range as thunderstorms develop over the mountains, and forecasters warned that storms hitting Tuesday afternoon and evening likely will drop heavy rain.

Sunshine may appear Tuesday morning before clouds thicken and storms hit, mostly after 3 p.m., weather service forecasters said. The rainfall in spots could exceed 2 inches in 45 minutes, forecasters said, estimating the likelihood of precipitation at 70%.

The high temperature in Denver will be 86 degrees, decreasing to 62 degrees at night, forecasters said. On Wednesday, the high temperature is expected to be 85 degrees. More storms are likely on Wednesday.

Intense rain may lead to flooding along waterways, across low-lying areas, and in cities where landscapes cannot easily absorb water. Weather service officials warned drivers to avoid flooded streets, calculating that one foot of water is enough to sweep away a small car.

The flash flood warning, effective noon through midnight, covers the Interstate 25 urban corridor, Palmer Divide between Denver and Colorado Springs, mountain foothills along the Front Range, and the northeastern plains. Meteorologists anticipated that some storms may become severe, bringing lightning, bursts of wind at speeds as fast as 60 miles per hour, and hail.

⚠️Flash Flood Watch ⚠️

Another day with a heightened risk of flash flooding!

🚫Never drive through flooded roads
✅Have multiple ways to receive warnings
✅Be ready to act or move to higher ground if a Flash Flood Warning is issued.#COwx pic.twitter.com/PJl8Qrp9YO

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) August 1, 2023