Rain, wind in mountains with lightning, possible hail

After a partly sunny warm morning, thunderstorms forming over the mountains will roll eastward over metro Denver and Colorado’s high plains Wednesday afternoon, bringing lightning, rain, and bursts of wind, according to the National Weather Service.

A few storms east of Denver on the plains may produce hail as big as golf balls with wind gusts at speeds up to 60 miles per hour, weather service forecasters said, estimating the likelihood of rain at 50%.

The high temperature in Denver will be 89 degrees on Wednesday, decreasing to 63 degrees at night, forecasters said. On Thursday and Friday, the high temperature is expected to be 84 degrees.

Storms will increase over the mountains this morning, and spread back across the plains this afternoon. The main threats are lightning and 40 mph wind gusts. A few severe storms with hail up to golf ball size and gusts to 60 mph are possible on the plains this afternoon. #cowx pic.twitter.com/a30CejSbdW

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) July 19, 2023

Scattered showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday were expected to hit during the afternoon, diminishing in the evening. Lightning and wind will be the main threats, weather service officials said. Later this week, turbulent conditions are likely with widespread potentially severe rain showers and thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening and on Friday.

Flash floods are possible Thursday in the mountain foothills and canyons northwest of metro Denver, particularly where fires in recent years ravaged vegetation, forecasters said.

There will be a Limited risk of flash flooding in the burn scars today. On Thursday the risk will be Elevated with widespread showers and storms expected. On Friday, the risk will drop back to Limited. #COwx pic.twitter.com/3cgqgwQu0E

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) July 19, 2023