High Plains Storms Surge with Large Hail, 70 MPH Gusts as Watch Nears — SevereWX

Thunderstorms firing over the central Rockies, including Colorado's Front Range and northeast Wyoming, are poised to push into the adjacent High Plains this afternoon and evening.

SPC's Mesoscale Discussion 1988 flags a 60% chance of a severe thunderstorm watch for eastern Wyoming, northeast Colorado, far southwest South Dakota, and the Nebraska Panhandle. Daytime heating is eroding lingering convective inhibition, allowing storms to advance amid 1000-1500 J/kg MLCAPE, steep lapse rates, and 30-40 kt shear.

Initial storm modes will lean multicell and supercell, primed for 1.00-1.75 inch hail. As activity grows upscale into clusters tonight, 55-70 mph wind gusts become the main concern.

Visible satellite and lightning data already show development over the CO Front Range, central/northeast WY, and northwest NE Panhandle. CAM guidance supports this evolution.

Check SPC's graphic for the latest: SPC MD 1988.

Stay prepared: Monitor radar, have a severe weather plan, and heed local warnings to protect against hail damage and wind threats.