Thunderstorms, Hail, Tornado Potential and Red Flag Day for Prowers County Today

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL…EAST CENTRAL…SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST COLORADO.

DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT (April 8, 2013)

A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING OVER KIOWA AND NORTHERN PROWERS COUNTY. STRONG SHEAR AND MODEST INSTABILITY WILL LEAD TO ROTATING STORMS…WITH GREATER THAN 1 INCH IN DIAMETER HAIL…GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS…AND A TORNADO OR TWO.

THE MOST LIKELY TIME FRAME FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE

BETWEEN 3 PM AND 8 PM. THOSE OVER KIOWA AND PROWERS COUNTIES
SHOULD MONITOR CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP BY LATE MORNING TO EARLY AFTERNOON ACROSS MUCH OF SOUTHERN COLORADO.  WINDS GUSTING TO 30 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH HUMIDITY VALUES BELOW 15 PERCENT AND CRITICALLY DRY FUELS TO PRODUCE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.  EXTREME CAUTION IS ADVISED…ESPECIALLY OVER THE SAN LUIS VALLEY AND EASTERN PLAINS GENERALLY SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 50 THROUGH
THE EARLY EVENING HOURS.

SNOW IS FORECAST TO INCREASE IN COVERAGE ALONG THE CONTINENTAL
DIVIDE THIS AFTERNOON WITH 1 TO 3 INCHES EXPECTED ON WEST FACING
PEAKS ABOVE 11000 FEET.

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE SOUTH ACROSS THE EASTERN PLAINS
OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.  VERY COLD AIR WILL COMBINE WITH AN UPPER LEVEL STORM SYSTEM TO PRODUCE SNOW ACROSS THE INTERSTATE 25 CORRIDOR.
STRONG WINDS…GUSTING AS HIGH AS 60 MPH…WILL LIKELY PRODUCE
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS OVER NORTHERN EL PASO COUNTY.  SNOW WILL SPREAD SOUTH ALONG THE INTERSTATE 25 CORRIDOR BY TUESDAY MORNING.  EXTREME CAUTION IS ADVISED WITH THE TUESDAY MORNING COMMUTE DUE TO SLICK ROADS AND VERY POOR VISIBILITIES.

Staffon Warn, Prowers County Emergency Operation Manager has also advised:

Please be aware that there is the potential for severe thunderstorms with large hail in Prowers County beginning around 3 pm to around 8 pm today.  There is also a chance that some of the storms could produce brief tornadoes.  Please monitor the Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service.  Here is the link to the product which will be updated at least once by mid day:

http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=pub&wwa=hazardous%20weather%20outlook

In advance of the low pressure system, gusty winds, dry air, very warm temperatures and cured fuels will combine for dangerous fire weather conditions.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon to 8 pm.  Outdoor burning is not advised.  The link to that product is here:  http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=pub&wwa=red%20flag%20warning

In addition, a strong cold front will move through all of the southeast plains late tonight with gusty winds and a mix of rain and snow with much colder temperatures expected Tuesday through Wednesday night.  The cold temperatures could cause some problems for early gardeners and sprinkler systems.  The forecast for Lamar is here:  http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.08647276060778&lon=-102.62123107910156