Forecasters expect another round of strong to severe thunderstorms across the eastern Colorado plains on Wednesday afternoon and evening, after overnight storms moved through the region before daybreak. The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has placed most of the eastern plains — including Kiowa, Cheyenne and Prowers counties — in a slight risk for severe storms, level 2 of 5, with an enhanced risk, level 3, over the far northeast corner of the state. Damaging wind is the main concern locally, with large hail and a low tornado threat also possible.

After a quiet, dry start, storms are expected to develop by mid-afternoon and persist into the evening along and east of the Interstate 25 corridor. Early Wednesday, light rain and showers were exiting the region as an upper-level disturbance moved east. No severe thunderstorm watch was in effect at daybreak; any watches would be issued later in the day as storms develop. This article was prepared early Wednesday morning, and conditions may change as the day unfolds.

At a glance: Wednesday's severe weather risks

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center Day 1 outlook and National Weather Service offices in Pueblo and Goodland — issued the morning of June 24, 2026. Times are Mountain.

(Kiowa County Press)

What the Storm Prediction Center is saying

In its Wednesday morning outlook, the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., placed the far northeast corner of Colorado — around Sterling and Akron — in an enhanced risk for severe storms, with a broader slight risk, level 2, covering most of the rest of the eastern plains, including Cheyenne Wells, Eads and Lamar. Forecasters said storms developing over the northern High Plains could become severe, with large to very large hail of 3 to 4 inches possible in the enhanced-risk area and a tornado or two not ruled out. Across the southeast plains, higher storm bases point to a more wind-driven threat, with damaging gusts the main concern and some large hail also possible.

Timing and where the storms are most likely

The National Weather Service office in Pueblo, which covers the southeast plains including Kiowa, Prowers, Bent, Otero, Crowley and Baca counties, expects thunderstorms to blossom during the mid-afternoon and persist into the evening along and east of the I-25 corridor. Forecasters there said the severe threat hinges on how much the atmosphere mixes out: if greater mixing develops, storms would be high-based and outflow-dominant, with strong winds to around 75 mph the main threat; if less mixing occurs, storms would be more cellular, with large hail to around 1 to 1.5 inches and winds to 70 mph. West of I-25, more typical summer storms with lightning, small hail and gusty outflow winds are expected.

The Goodland, Kan., office, which covers Cheyenne, Kit Carson and Yuma counties, said storms could fire over eastern Colorado as early as 4 to 7 p.m., with the most significant severe weather largely confined to eastern Colorado and adjacent counties. Large hail up to 4 inches, wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph and a brief tornado or two are possible if storms can overcome a capping inversion. Forecasters there also expanded a flood watch — now in effect through Thursday morning for Cheyenne and Kit Carson counties — warning that repeated rounds of storms over ground saturated by recent heavy rain could bring flash flooding.

What happened Tuesday

Tuesday's severe weather in Colorado was again largely a hail story, focused along the Interstate 25 corridor and Front Range and across the northeast plains rather than the far southeast. The National Weather Service logged roughly two dozen hail reports across eastern Colorado, the largest a 3-inch stone near Wiggins in Morgan County, with 2.5-inch hail near Colorado Springs and Fountain in El Paso County. Two severe wind gusts were reported — 62 mph near Burlington and 58 mph in Morgan County — and no tornadoes touched down in Colorado.

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Preliminary hail, wind and tornado reports across eastern Colorado on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

(Kiowa County Press)

As on recent days, the counties the Press follows most closely — Kiowa, Cheyenne and Prowers — saw little from Tuesday's storms, with the heaviest activity well to the north and west. The nearest severe report was the 62 mph gust at Burlington, in neighboring Kit Carson County. All reports are preliminary and subject to National Weather Service review.

Potential impacts

The most likely impacts Wednesday are localized. Damaging wind is the leading concern on the southeast plains: gusts of 70 mph or higher can snap tree limbs, knock branches onto power lines, briefly cut electricity and kick up sudden blowing dust that drops highway visibility with little warning. Large hail — generally an inch to an inch and a half locally, but potentially 3 to 4 inches in the enhanced-risk area over northeast Colorado — can dent vehicles, break windows and damage roofs, siding and crops. The tornado threat is low and focused on the northeast, but any rotating storm should be watched closely over the open plains. Because storms may move slowly and the ground is already wet in spots, brief heavy downpours could pond water on low-lying roads.

Fire weather and the days ahead

West of the storm threat, a red flag warning for critical fire weather is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday over the San Luis Valley and upper Arkansas River Valley, where gusty winds and humidity in the low teens raise the wildfire risk. The unsettled, storm-prone pattern over the eastern plains is forecast to continue through Friday, with additional chances for strong to severe storms each afternoon. Drier, hotter weather then builds in for the weekend, when widespread critical fire weather is expected to return across south-central and southeastern Colorado and highs climb well into the 90s and around 100 — near 99 at Eads and Cheyenne Wells and about 105 at Lamar on Saturday.

Staying safe

A severe thunderstorm or tornado watch means conditions are favorable for dangerous storms to develop over the next several hours — a signal to stay alert and know where you would take shelter. A warning means a dangerous storm is happening or imminent in your area, and you should act right away. Make sure you have a reliable way to receive warnings, such as a NOAA Weather Radio or alerts on your phone, and do not rely on hearing an outdoor siren from indoors.

With damaging wind and hail the main dangers, the safest place is indoors, away from windows. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike, so stay inside until at least 30 minutes after the last rumble. Drivers should slow down in heavy rain, watch for sudden gusts and blowing dust, and never enter a flooded roadway. Before storms arrive, secure or bring in loose outdoor items, move vehicles under cover where possible, and check on neighbors, livestock and pets. The latest watches, warnings and timing are available at weather.gov.