Pueblo, Colorado – Colorado faces a rare combination of severe thunderstorm dangers and critical fire weather conditions Tuesday, with forecasters warning that both threats could intensify during the afternoon and evening hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, two separate rounds of thunderstorms are expected to develop across southern and eastern Colorado today. The first wave is forecast to form over the eastern plains during the afternoon, where storms may produce hail up to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts reaching 70 mph.
The second and potentially more dangerous round is expected closer to the Interstate 25 corridor late this afternoon and evening. Forecasters warn that some storms could generate hail between 2 and 3 inches in diameter, roughly the size of tennis balls, along with damaging winds capable of downing tree limbs and causing localized power outages.
Communities from Pueblo and Colorado Springs southward toward Trinidad and east across the plains should closely monitor weather conditions throughout the day. The National Weather Service identifies the I-25 corridor as the area with the greatest potential for very large hail during the evening hours.
At the same time, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect across portions of the Upper Arkansas River Valley and areas west of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Winds of 25 to 35 mph, single-digit humidity levels and extremely dry vegetation are creating conditions favorable for rapid wildfire growth.
Residents are urged to avoid activities that could spark a fire, including outdoor burning, welding, campfires and equipment use in dry vegetation. With severe storms and critical fire weather occurring simultaneously, forecasters emphasize having multiple ways to receive warnings throughout the day.
The severe weather and fire danger threats are expected to peak during the afternoon and evening hours, with additional watches or warnings possible as conditions evolve.
