Scattered thunderstorms and showers moving east across the Denver metro Thursday morning will intensify in the afternoon, putting several counties in eastern Colorado under a flood watch, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for metro Denver, the Front Range and much of eastern Colorado until 9 p.m. Thursday.
Before 2 p.m., meteorologists expect the next round of thunderstorms to roll in from the foothills, headed toward the I-25 corridor and eastern plains. Storms are expected to continue well after midnight, according to the NWS.
The worst of the storms are expected east of a line from Akron to Deer Trail to Castle Rock and may produce up to tennis-balled-sized hail, isolated tornadoes, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes.
According to the NWS, the storms will be capable of producing up to three inches of rain per hour. Flash flood threats are greatest in the burn scars of Lincoln and Washington counties this afternoon.
The high temperature in Denver Thursday will be 81 degrees, decreasing to 59 degrees at night, forecasters said.
The weekend is expected to get progressively hotter, with temperatures hitting 91 degrees Saturday and 96 degrees Sunday. Saturday may be Denver’s only break from the rain, with thunderstorms projected Friday and Sunday through next Wednesday.
