Thunderstorms bring hail to northeastern Colorado, metro Denver

Thunderstorms rumbled across the metro area Thursday afternoon and into the evening, with hail falling in Denver, Littleton and elsewhere as winds hit above 40 mph in some areas.

Two-inch, egg-size hail fell in Lincoln County in the eastern plains where windows of a home were shattered by the storm, according to the National Weather Service.

Between the hail, strong winds and heavy rain at times, leaves and limbs were stripped from trees in some areas, including Littleton. Outdoor workers and pedestrians scrambled for safety and cover.

Colorado Springs was pelted with hail on Thursday and Red Rocks Amphitheater, west of Denver, was also hit with hail at about 4 p.m., the weather service said.

Severe weather posed problems at Denver International Airport where 827 flights, arrivals and departures, were delayed on Thursday as of about 8 p.m., according to FlighAware.com. DIA experienced 166 flight cancelations in the same time frame.

The weather service issued a flash flood warning for the East Troublesome burn area most of the day Thursday, through 7 p.m., as a series of thunderstorms moved across the area out of the west. Thunderstorms continued over the Eastern Plains into the night.

A severe thunderstorm watch was posted for the metro area and most of northeastern Colorado through 9 p.m., according to the weather service.

Thunderstorm activity is expected to decrease Friday, although there will be isolated to scattered storms in the region. In Denver on Friday there’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m., skies will be partly sunny and the high temp will be near 85 degrees. Drier, hot weather is in the forecast on Saturday and Sunday.

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