Updated 5:09 p.m.: A flash flood warning is in effect for parts of Douglas and Elbert counties, according to a warning posted by the National Weather Service’s Boulder office.
The warning, in effect until 6:45 p.m., warns residents of Castle Rock, Franktown, Elizabeth and nearby areas to move immediately to higher ground and to avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
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Updated 3:31 p.m.: Radar has indicated a tornado in Washington County, according to a warning from the National Weather Service's Boulder office.
The tornado warning, in effect until 4 p.m., also indicates that baseball-sized hail is possible.
Updated 2:40 p.m.: The severe thunderstorm warning for Fort Morgan has been extended until 3:15 p.m. Two-inch hail and winds of up to 50 mph are still possible.
Updated 2:29 p.m.: Fort Morgan and Log Lane Village could see two-inch hail from a thunderstorm passing through Morgan County.
In a severe thunderstorm warning in effect until 2:45 p.m., the National Weather Service's Boulder office warns of winds of up to 50 mph in addition to the hail.
A special weather statement from the agency also warned of penny-sized hail and 50 mph winds around the Denver International Airport and Watkins. The statement is in effect until 3:15 p.m.
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Updated 2 p.m.: Most of metro Denver, the Front Range and Eastern Plains are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m., National Weather Service forecasters said Thursday.
The severe weather watch covers most of Colorado along the Interstate 25 corridor and to the east, including Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Weld, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kit Carson, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Otero, Pueblo, Washington and Yuma counties.
Thunderstorms could bring several tornadoes, scattered egg-sized hail and gusts up to 70 mph, forecasters said.
The southeast corner of Colorado is also under a tornado watch, with tennis-ball-sized hail and winds up to 75 mph possible in Baca, Bent, Kiowa and Prowers counties.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Original story: Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes will be possible during Thursday afternoon storms over the Eastern Plains and Interstate 25 corridor, according to the National Weather Service.
Thunderstorms will start over the mountains midday and push onto the Eastern Plains by Thursday afternoon or evening, according to the weather service.
Forecasters said up to 2-inch hail and 70 mph winds are forecasted, especially in southeastern Colorado.
Hail at least 1 inch in diameter and non-tornado winds stronger than 50 mph are considered severe and damaging, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, which is part of the same federal agency as the weather service.
The strongest chance for severe weather in southeastern Colorado falls between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., forecasters said.
There is a medium risk of tornadoes and localized flooding, forecasters said.
Denver is forecast to see small hail and gusty winds during Thursday afternoon's storms, according to the weather service.
The best chance for storms in and around the city will be between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but rainy weather could continue after midnight, forecasters said.
Severe thunderstorms will be possible again Friday afternoon and evening east of the I-25 corridor, according to a hazardous weather outlook from the weather service's Pueblo office.
Fewer storms are expected over the weekend as the weather pattern weakens, but there will be another chance for severe thunderstorms early next week, according to the outlook.
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