A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect until 9 p.m. for El Paso County and most of southeastern Colorado, the National Weather Service said.

Hail up to a half-dollar size, or 1.25′ inches in diameter, could fall over the Pikes Peak Region, with winds gusting up to 60 mph, especially over the eastern portion of El Paso County, meteorologist Randy Gray said.

Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Browley, Elbert, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Las Animas, Lincoln, Otero, Prowers and Pueblo counties were also included in the watch.

While the threat of thunderstorms over Colorado Springs was not immediate, Gray said, conditions were prime for a severe storm to develop.

Smaller storm cells reached downtown Colorado Springs shortly before 2:30 p.m., moving east at about 15-20 mph, Gray said.

A second storm traveled over the southeast portion of Colorado Springs and was heading toward Schriever Air Base.

“The stronger storms that we’ve been watching have been over the eastern half of El Paso County northeast of Peyton, traveling the county lines between El Paso and Elbert counties,” Gray said.

Hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding and trees was possible over southeast Colorado, including rural areas of southeastern El Paso County, northwestern Crowley and northeastern Pueblo counties, the weather service said.

Temperatures in Colorado Springs were expected to reach highs in the low 80s, falling into the low 50s with forecasted scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight.

Partly sunny conditions with 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon were in the forecast for Monday, the weather service said.

Rich “Goose” Gossage, stands with his family, during Old Timers Day ceremonies prior to the Baltimore Orioles baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, June 22, 2014. A Monument Park plaque was dedicated in honor of Gossage. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Kathy Willens