Tornado watch, heavy rain, hail as Colorado weather gets severe
The Denver metro area and eastern plains are expected to see heavy rain and are at enhanced risk of severe weather Wednesday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder.
Severe weather and heavy rain hit the Denver area Wednesday.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for most counties in the northeast area of the state, including Denver, Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams. The watch lasted until 10 p.m.
Most of the foothills and plains areas were expected to see heavy rain Wednesday afternoon and evening through Thursday night, according to Zach Hiris, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boulder.
The Denver metro area and eastern plains are also at “enhanced risk” of severe weather, meaning there is potential for a few tornados, large hail and damaging winds, Hiris said.
The greatest threat for severe weather is going to be just northeast of the Denver area, Hiris said.
Hiris provided the following tips for mitigating property damage from severe weather.
Hail: People can avoid damage to vehicles by parking them under a structure or in a garage or getting hail pads to put on top of vehicles.
Damaging winds: Make sure things that can blow around, such as patio furniture, trash cans and other large outdoor items, are stored away to protect the items and other people and property.
Tornadoes: Find a sturdy shelter or indoor room of a building on the lowest level of the building.
Any severe weather: Have multiple ways of getting information. In the case of a severe thunderstorm, flash flood or tornado warning, it is good to have options for getting those warnings in order to take appropriate action.
Have a plan. An important part of responding to weather disasters is preparedness. If and when the event happens, having a plan helps people take the right safety precautions.
Weather, particularly severe weather, can impact travel as well.
Denver International Airport was put on a ground delay by the Federal Aviation Administration at 2 p.m. Wednesday due to thunderstorms.
This ground delay came after a second delay earlier Wednesday due to low visibility that was lifted at 10 a.m.
The hold has had a ripple effect on flights throughout the day.
As of 2:10 p.m., 261 flights were delayed into and out of DIA and 86 flights were cancelled into and out of DIA.
Travelers are encouraged to check with their airline for up-to-date flight information.
Colorado Department of Transportation has a page of tips for driving in various weather conditions. They include:
Avoid driving through flooded areas, as it is hard to tell how deep or fast the water is running. Even eight to 10 inches of water can float an average-size car.
Reduce speed on wet roads. Speeding in flooded or hail-covered areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane.
Avoid using cruise control during rainy conditions when there is standing water on the roadway.
LEFT: A cyclist decides to turn around at a portion of the Cherry Creek Trail that was submerged May 12 after two days of rain. RIGHT: Carol Tkach walks through flower pedal covered puddles after exiting her train on her commute home during a rainstorm May 10 at the RTD light rail Mineral Station in Littleton.
Nova, no last name given, and other students returning home from school, keeps her umbrella handy after exiting her train in a rainstorm on Wednesday afternoon, at the RTD light rail Mineral Station in Littleton.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Denver and other northeast Colorado counties at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday until 10:00 p.m. The counties affected are: Adams, Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, El Paso, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Philips, Sedgwick, Teller, Washington, Weld and Yuma.