Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Severe Storms Expected Near the Front Range / Adjacent High Plains Today...


A slow moving frontal boundary is expected to focus the development of strong to severe thunderstorms later this afternoon and this evening across the Front Range of the Rockies and into the adjacent high plains of the Nebraska panhandle.

I've circled an area of swelling cumulus clouds in yellow on the above visible satellite image, which is approximately just ahead of the frontal boundary over the Nebraska panhandle and northeast Colorado.

This area may be one of the first in which thunderstorms develop within the next few hours, as well as back to the Southwest along the boundary near the Front Range (including the Denver Metro area).

Below is the latest severe weather outlook for today from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, OK.  The severe weather threat area for this region is outlined in yellow, as well as one further to the North across portions of the Dakota's:


Very large hail and strong, possibly damaging wind gusts are the primary threats with the activity today.  A few tornadoes also cannot be ruled out, particularly in association with any storms that are able to remain isolated and become well organized.

If you live along the Front Range of Colorado and Wyoming, Eastward into the adjacent high plains, remain alert this afternoon and be prepared to seek shelter if threatening weather is observed or a warning is issued for your area.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

so does this mean that south east of denver or front range will most likely get an tornado ? or is it just North Eastern colorado that will mostly have the worse storms

Rob White said...

Anonymous,

Thanks for the comment/question. A tornado is possible anywhere within the watch area.

The most widespread/organized storms are most likely to be located immediately to the East of the Front Range, over the adjacent High Plains to the East of the Metro.

In the Metro area itself, large hail is the greatest threat, though an isolated tornado cannot be completely ruled out.

Thanks for reading!

Rob