Strong cold front on Tuesday brings severe dangers to southern Colorado

Today’s forecast:
With a strong cold front expected to move east from the mountains into the Plains this afternoon, we see the potential for a rather rare severe weather day in September. The cold front is expected to reach the I-25 corridor and Pikes Peak region in the early to mid afternoon, with severe storms ending between 5 and 6 p.m. Severe storms will continue to be possible in the eastern Plains through sunset tonight, with rainfall decreasing in the Plains by late evening.

The greatest severe weather risks are the threat of damaging wind gusts. As the front passes, some wind gusts could reach speeds in excess of 60-70 mph. Thunderstorms may also bring 1-inch hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rain.

Weather forecast for Colorado Springs: High: 81; Low: 47. Our main window for severe weather this afternoon will be between 1 and 6 p.m. as a powerful cold front sweeps across the Pikes Peak region. Storms could produce wind gusts up to 60 mph, heavy rain, 1 inch hail and frequent lightning.

Pueblo Forecast: High: 87; Low: 49. Skies will be clear this morning, but storms will develop in the afternoon as a strong September cold front moves across the country. Storms will increase in size and intensity between 1pm and 2pm, before easing between 5pm and 6pm.

Weather forecast for Canon City: High: 83; Low: 50. A cold front Tuesday afternoon brings the potential for rain and increased thunderstorms to today's forecast. Some storms may bring damaging wind gusts and large hail.

Weather forecast for Woodland Park: High: 73; Low: 37. Clear skies this morning will give way to a stormy and unsettled afternoon. Storm activity is expected to peak between 1 and 5 p.m.

Tri-Lakes Forecast: High: 70s/80s; Low: 40s. Warm and unsettled this afternoon, with the greatest threat of severe storms through the early evening. As skies clear after sunset, cool temperatures will prevail by Wednesday morning.

Weather forecast for the plains: High: 80s/90s; Low: 50s. Hazards will increase across the Plains this afternoon and evening. The main hazards will be wind gusts of 60-70 mph and hailstones of 1-1.5 inches. Thunderstorms may also bring heavy rain and frequent lightning.

Weather forecast for Walsenburg and Trinidad: High: 70s/80s; Low: 40s/50s. Storm threat will increase early today as a strong cold front brings rain and thunderstorms to the southern I-25 corridor this afternoon.

Mountain forecast: High: 50s/60s; Low: 20s/30s. A cooler and unsettled day in the mountains will give way to freezing temperatures in many higher elevations tonight.

Extended outlook:
As the air driers overnight, we can expect cool temperatures of around 4 degrees in Colorado Springs on Wednesday morning and even around 3 degrees in Woodland Park. On Wednesday afternoon, the sun will return to Colorado Springs and temperatures will be around 27 degrees, along with slightly stronger westerly winds of up to 40 km/h.

No major changes are expected for Southern Colorado on Thursday, with another warm and windy day ahead. Highs on Friday will be a few degrees warmer before our next cold front brings a change in the weather this weekend. While the exact details are still being worked out, our forecast for this weekend could be wet and cool at times, with highs only between 15 and 21 degrees.
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