Intermountain West, High Plains Targeted by Severe Thunderstorms

The High Plains and a portion of the Intermountain West are locations to watch for severe thunderstorms today. A disturbance moving over the West and emerging over the High Plains will be the trigger needed for thunderstorm formation today. 

The government's Storm Prediction Center has an Enhanced Risk (level 3 out of 5) across northeastern Colorado and small portions of extreme western Nebraska and western Kansas. A larger area of a Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5) surrounds the smaller Enhanced Risk and includes eastern New Mexico, the western part of the Texas panhandle, western Kansas, eastern Colorado, western Nebraska, and southeast Wyoming. Additionally, there are two separate Slight Risk (again, level 2 out of 5) regions, one of which is in much of Wisconsin, northeastern Illinois, and far northwestern Indiana, along with the other, shared between west-central Utah and east-central Nevada.

Cities such as already mentioned Salt Lake City, Denver, Fort Morgan, Colo., Cheyenne, Wyo., Scottsbluff, Neb., and Chicago will need to keep one eye to the sky for threatening weather today.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for far east-central Colorado, southwestern Nebraska, and northeastern Kansas. Additionally, a Tornado Watch has been posted for northeastern Colorado.

Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph are possible across Utah, with isolated very large, tremendously destructive hail in excess of baseball size, and a brief tornado or two will be possible for portions of the central and southern Plains. Damaging wind gusts and perhaps a tornado or two may occur across the High Plains.

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they be 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. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today's severe weather. Remember, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"