UPDATE — 8:30 pm:
Current high-resolution models are predicting the second wave of severe weather to pick up after midnight. With areas across the northern Pikes Peak viewing area to see two to four inches in some places if the models hold.
UPDATE — 7:10 pm:
Tornado Watches remain over the northeastern Plains of Colorado this evening, but have been canceled early for El Paso and Teller counties. That said, rain will continue this evening, along with the potential for a few strong to severe storms, especially for areas east of I-25.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of Colorado this afternoon. On top of the threat for a few tornadoes, hail larger than 2" in diameter will be possible, as well as gusts to 75 mph
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the Plains of Southern Colorado until 10 pm, and pretty much includes all areas that are not part of the Tornado Watch.
A storm is pulsing up on the west side of Colorado Springs and has turned severe! The storm is moving north at 45 mph, with quarter-size hail and 60 mph gusts.
Tonight’s Forecast:
Strong to severe storms will continue to pulse up this evening, and it will stay busy through around 9-10 pm. We have a Tornado Watch in effect for El Paso and Teller counties, as well as the east and northeastern Plains until 9 pm. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is also in effect for Pueblo County and the southeastern Plains until 10 pm.
By 10 pm, I see a small break in our storm coverage, but as low pressure approaches overnight tonight, showers and thunderstorms are likely to resume after midnight. By Thursday morning, the threat for severe weather will lower as the threat for heavy rain, and urban flooding will increase.
See the storm timing for your area below:
Colorado Springs forecast: Low: 45; High: 59. Severe threat will continue through about 9-10 pm. Then after a small break in the weather, we're looking at the potential for more rain and thunderstorms during both the overnight and daytime highs on Thursday.
Pueblo forecast: Low: 48; High: 67. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch will remain in effect for Pueblo County until 10 pm as the threat for more strong to severe thunderstorms continues through late this evening. After a small break in the action, another round of rain and thunderstorms will likely develop by early Thursday morning, setting the stage for a cool and showery.
Canon City forecast: Low: 49; High: 65. While not included in tonight's Severe Thunderstorm Watch, parts of Fremont County will continue to see scattered strong to possibly severe thunderstorms through late this evening. More rain is expected to return on Thursday, with a greater chance of heavier rain than anything severe.
Woodland Park forecast: Low: 35; High: 49. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will remain in the forecast this evening, with a Tornado Watch for Teller County set to expire at 9 pm. A second round of heavier rain will follow on Thursday as the rain begins to pick up again after midnight.
Tri-Lakes forecast: Low: 40s; High: 50s. A Tornado Watch will remain in effect until 9 pm, with a small break expected after that. Then by early Thursday morning, our next round of active weather will start, with the potential for heavy rain and a few thunderstorms on Thursday.
Plains forecast: Low: 40s/50s; High: 60s/70s. Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Tornado Watches will remain in effect across the eastern Plains until late this evening. Main threats out east will be the potential for damaging hail and 60+ mph wind gusts. A reduced threat of severe weather will return on Thursday, along with the potential heavy rain capable of flooding.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: Low: 30s/40s; High: 50s/60s. Severe Thunderstorm Watches should be allowed to expire at 10 pm. Thursday's forecast will remain unsettled, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected throughout the day.
Mountains forecast: High: 60s/70s; Low: 30s/40s. Rain, thunderstorms and snow for the mountains on Thursday. Up to 10" of snow will be possible around Pikes Peak through late Thursday night, with as much as 3-6" for the Wet Mountains and Sangre de Cristo.
Extended outlook forecast:
Friday will be seasonable with 60s and 70s and there will be a few isolated storms, favoring the mountains. Then the next round of widespread rain and thunderstorms with cooler air moves in for Mother's Day weekend. A chance of showers and thunderstorms on Saturday, with more widespread rain and thunderstorms by Mother's Day. Sunday will also be much cooler, and for parts of Teller County, this could mean a morning mix of rain and snow for areas 8,000 feet.
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Curious about the First Alert 5 Weather Storm Impact Scale? Check out our cheatsheet explainer.
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