2:31 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Pine Grove, Buffalo Creek and South Platte in until 3:15 p.m. The storm could bring quarter-sized hail and winds of up to 60 mph.
2:19 p.m.: A tornado warning was issued for northwestern Teller County after a large, tornadic thunderstorm was spotted near Lake George, 34 miles northwest of Colorado Springs. The warning is in effect until 2:45 p.m. The storm could produce a tornado and quarter-sized hail.
2:16 p.m.: A tornado warning for parts of Douglas, Jefferson and Park counties is in effect until 2:45 p.m. Radar has indicated there was a tornado and pea-sized hail is possible.
2:07 p.m.: Storms are beginning to form southeast of Denver heading towards the metro area. A storm formed in southeastern Park County with possible 50-mph wind gusts and half-inch-sized hail. The NWS said the storms are expected to increase and intensify this afternoon.
As northeastern Colorado braced for possible violent weather on Wednesday afternoon a widespread tornado watch was posted by the National Weather Service for northeastern Colorado to include Denver and the Front Range.
The watch is in place until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Large hail, strong winds and possible tornadoes are in a widespread forecast area to include Denver, the Front Range, the Interstate 70 corridor into the mountains and the Eastern Plains, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
“If you are able to, today would be a good day to park your vehicle in a sheltered location and bring valuable objects/plants indoors if possible, just in case,” the weather service said on Twitter at about noon Wednesday.
On Tuesday night, a hail storm in northern Colorado caused damage in the Erie area including shattering and breaking car windows.
On Wednesday morning, the FAA held airline flights bound for Denver International Airport because of “low visibility” but the hold was lifted later in the morning.
In a perhaps ominous sign, the weather service posted a tweet Wednesday morning reminding people to follow guidelines when posting photographs of hailstones to accurately describe and measure the stones.
In Denver, severe thunderstorms are likely this afternoon, the weather service said, where stormy weather is expected to continue into the night.
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