Cheyenne, Wyo. – Tennis ball-size hail and 70 mph wind gusts could hit parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota through 9 p.m. Sunday as a powerful line of thunderstorms sweeps across the High Plains. Cities from Denver to Rapid City are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch this evening.
According to the National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center, the watch affects northeast Colorado, eastern Wyoming, western Nebraska, and southwest South Dakota. Thunderstorm clusters are expected to form this afternoon across central Colorado and eastern Wyoming, then push east into the evening.
Residents in Cheyenne, Fort Collins, Scottsbluff, and Sterling should prepare for damaging winds, frequent lightning, and hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter. Highways including I-25, I-76, and I-80 could see sudden visibility drops and roadside debris. Local officials urge drivers to delay non-essential travel and secure loose outdoor items.
The watch area includes a population of over 3.5 million people, more than 1,000 schools, and 77 hospitals. This is one of the most widespread severe thunderstorm threats in the region so far this June.
Storms may persist or redevelop into the night. Additional warnings are possible. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or local alerts.
