A day after hail pounded parts of eastern Colorado, rain and thunderstorms are possible throughout most of the state again Tuesday afternoon, with the possibility of small hail and gusting wind, according to the National Weather Service.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely in northeast and north-central Colorado in the afternoon and may continue into the evening. Stronger storms may produce wind gusts up to 35 mph and small hail, forecasters said.
The NWS office in Goodland, Kansas, reported baseball- and softball-sized hail in portions of eastern Colorado on Monday evening.
Baseball-sized hail was reported south of Akron around 7:45 p.m. and headed slowly east, pounding Yuma and Wray from 9 to 10 p.m. Most of northeast Colorado, including Morgan, Washington, Weld and Yuma counties, also was under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. Monday.
Severe weather is not expected again Tuesday.
Snow showers are possible in the mountains, mainly above 9,000 feet, with snow accumulation between 1 and 3 inches. Mountain passes may become slick, according to a hazardous weather outlook from the NWS.
Showers are likely with a possible thunderstorm in the Denver area Tuesday after 2 p.m. with a 70% chance of precipitation and a high of 60 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms may continue tonight, mainly before 11 p.m., and temperatures are expected to dip to 39 degrees.
Wednesday is expected to be warmer and drier, with a high of 72 degrees and a 20% chance of precipitation. Showers and thunderstorms may continue Wednesday afternoon, with a slight chance of showers between noon and 3 p.m. and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low of 45 degrees.
Denverites should expect a sunny day on Thursday with a high of 78 and a night low of 43 degrees. Rain and thunderstorms may return Friday and continue into the weekend, according to NWS forecasters.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop in the mountains Tuesday afternoon in central, east central, south-central and southeast Colorado before moving over the Eastern Plains, mainly north of Highway 50.
Small hail of up to 1 inch in diameter and wind gusts up to 60 mph may be possible over the Ramparts and Pikes Peak. An additional 3 to 5 inches of snow is possible in the Sawatch Range and northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains on Tuesday.
Warmer, drier weather is expected Wednesday throughout Colorado, with a cold front Thursday night that may bring snow showers to the mountains and foothills. Rain showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoons throughout this week.
