Dangerous Thunderstorms Rumble Through Rockies, High Plains

After a day filled with severe weather across the East, dangerous thunderstorms will rumble through the north-central U.S. this evening. Very large hail and destructive winds will be the main concerns.

A low pressure system and associated cold front will be slicing through the Rockies and High Plains today. Monsoon-like moisture over the Southwest will combine with the strong winds and atmospheric lift from the low pressure to trigger thunderstorms this evening. Thunderstorms will rapidly organize into powerful supercells or severe clusters as they move across the High Plains.

The government’s Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk for severe weather, or a 3 out of 5 on the severe storm probability scale. This covers eastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming, the western Dakotas and the Nebraska Panhandle. Cities within this Enhanced Risk include Glasgow, Mont., Williston, N.D., Rapid City, S.D., and Scottsbluff and North Platte, Neb.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for portions of west and southwest Kansas, far northwest Oklahoma and the Panhandle, and northern Texas Panhandle. Cities include Dalhart and Guymon, Okla., and Dodge City and Liberal, Kan. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for portions of central North Dakota and central South Dakota. Cities include Minot and Bismarck, N.D., and Pierre and Mobridge, S.D. 

Within this area, large to very large hail to the size of baseballs and damaging winds up to 80 mph are possible. A couple tornadoes may also occur.

However, anyone in the Rockies and High Plains should pay close attention to darkening skies. Cities such as Billings, Mont., Casper and Cheyenne, Wyo., Salt Lake City, Grand Junction, Denver and Pueblo, Colo., Bismarck, N.D., Pierre, S.D., Lincoln, Neb., Colby and Wichita, Kan., and Woodward, Okla., could still be at risk for dangerous thunderstorms. These places could see quarter-sized hail and wind gusts up to 57 mph.

As if dodging severe thunderstorms wasn’t enough, there will be a risk of heavy rain and flooding. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour will be possible across the Rockies and High Plains today. This torrential rain would trigger flooding, especially over wildfire burn scars in the central and southern Rockies and other low-lying, flood-prone areas.

Already, Flood Watches have been posed for far eastern Utah, western Colorado and most of New Mexico. This includes Moab, Utah, Grand Junction, Aspen and Durango, Colo., and Albuquerque and Taos, N.M.

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”