Very Large Hail, Severe Gusts Fire Up Along Rockies Foothills — SevereWX

Storms Brewing in the High Plains

Scattered thunderstorms are igniting along the higher terrain from northeast Colorado into southeast Wyoming this afternoon, June 1, 2026. The Storm Prediction Center's Mesoscale Discussion #0936 highlights a growing severe weather risk as these storms spread eastward into the foothills and plains through early evening.

Primary Threats

• Hail: Expect large to very large hail, with peaks of 1.50-2.50 inches. Supercell structures early on could yield baseball-sized stones.
• Winds: Damaging gusts up to 65-80 mph, intensifying as storms cluster and move east.
• Tornado?: Low odds, but a brief spin-up can't be ruled out in eastern Colorado where terrain boosts low-level rotation. Peak intensity could reach 90 mph if one forms.

The setup features steep lapse rates, 40 kt of shear, and a favorable hodograph for rotating storms. Activity starts around 2-4 PM Moderate (19-21Z), tracking into Nebraska's Panhandle, far southwest South Dakota, and the Plains.

Watch Expected Soon

SPC pegs the chance of one or more watches at 80% this afternoon. Affected WFOs include BOU, PUB, GLD, CYS, UNR, and LBF.

This comes amid broader Plains severe potential, but focus here is on the immediate high terrain initiation.

Stay Prepared

Monitor radar closely, have a severe weather plan, secure outdoor items, and seek shelter in interior rooms away from windows if warnings issue. Check local NWS updates and apps for real-time alerts.