DENVER – Weather conditions will combine Monday afternoon and evening to produce flash flooding in the Denver metropolitan area and communities along the Front Range and eastern plains of Colorado.

In addition to the risk of flooding, strong to severe storms are also possible, bringing damaging winds and large hail to the metropolitan area and eastern plains.

“There is a slight risk for severe weather in eastern Colorado. There could be large hail, wind gusts over 60 mph and perhaps even isolated tornadoes,” said Denver7 meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo.

A flash flood warning went into effect at 2 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. Monday, including Denver, Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Aurora, Brighton and other communities.

NWS Boulder

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Boulder said storms could bring 1 to 2 inches of rain in less than 45 minutes.

“The conditions for flash flooding are virtually non-existent throughout the year,” the NWS said in its forecast discussion.

In parts of eastern Colorado, where flood warnings are also in place, 2 to 3 inches of rainfall could be possible within an hour, the NWS said.

In an afternoon update, the NWS said the greatest flash flood threat “is likely to be in the southeastern portions of the Denver Metro and Palmer Divide due to urban flooding.”

Weather forecasters say the highest rainfall amounts are expected in Elbert, Lincoln and Washington counties, “but closer to Denver and Douglas County, rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches in 30 to 45 minutes are also possible,” the NWS said.

Monday’s storms also pose a risk of flooding in Colorado’s fire areas. “We continue to expect this to be one of the highest flood risk days of the year, especially in recent fire areas,” the NWS added.

During the late afternoon and early evening hours, Denver7’s Futurecast showed much of the storm activity moving through Denver, with more severe storms lingering over the eastern Plains.

“Some strong storms are possible in Limon, Akron and as far north as Sterling, and it will continue to be humid up into the mountains later tonight,” said Katie LaSalle, weather forecaster at Denver7. “We may see some foggy areas again over the plains early Tuesday, with lingering showers early in the morning,”

On Tuesday, there is a renewed risk of storms in the Denver metropolitan area and on I-25, with more severe thunderstorms looming in the plains.

The eastern plains could see stronger storms on Monday and Tuesday.

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