(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — An interesting spring day looks to be setting up across Southern Colorado as severe weather becomes a bigger threat by Friday afternoon, June 14. June is one of the most active months for severe weather in the region.

As of Friday lunchtime, satellite and radar were showing a good amount of moisture present in our region, along with a burst of energy from a shortwave translating through the Rocky Mountains. This configuration is setting the stage for a potentially busy afternoon for severe weather.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has much of Southern Colorado at a ‘slight’ risk for severe weather – or a level 2 out of 5. The Front Range may see hail up to an inch and a half or greater through the afternoon, with isolated areas seeing even larger stones. Atmospheric soundings also indicate that Friday may feature significant severe wind gusts across the area with 75 to 80 mph winds possible with the strongest storms.

Storms may begin to fire up as soon as lunchtime across the area, and by 2 p.m., some of those storms may become strong to severe over the mountains, foothills, and I-25 corridor.

By 4 p.m., strong to severe storms will continue to develop and push further into the lower elevations and up over the Palmer Divide toward Denver. By early dinnertime, strong to severe storms can be expected across the Eastern Plains with large hail and damaging winds as the main threats. A significant severe wind threat may take over at this time as storms come together to form a strong line.

Through early evening, the vast majority of our thunderstorm activity will be on its way out of Southern Colorado. A few strong to severe storms may linger along the Colorado/Kansas state line through portions of the later evening but storms should entirely push out of the area no later than midnight.

Due to the direction of these storms, and the expected abundance of their nature, there will also be a small risk of flash flooding across Southern Colorado. Storms will progress in a South to North motion with most of the region expecting a relatively steady stream of rain. If you do encounter flood waters, remember: turn around, don’t drown.

For those who are looking forward to Saturday, there is some better news in the forecast. Severe weather is expected to hold off with only the slightest chance for an isolated shower or storm by the afternoon.