Tornadoes and Baseball-Size Hail Hit Colorado's Eastern Plains

Overview

• Strong late‑spring storms on Thursday produced multiple reported tornadoes on the eastern plains and very large hail, prompting targeted severe thunderstorm warnings and a multi-county severe thunderstorm watch.
• The National Weather Service warned of damaging straight‑line winds up to 70 mph and hail up to two inches in the watch area and issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Byers, Deer Trail and Peoria that mentioned winds up to 60 mph and quarter‑size hail.
• Local reports confirmed a tornado in Kit Carson and Washington counties and storm outflows briefly forced a ground stop at Denver International Airport, causing short operational disruptions.
• By Friday morning the primary severe pulse had moved out, watches and warnings had ended or been lowered, and forecasters said remaining stronger storms would be most likely in Las Animas and Baca counties.
• Meteorologists say the setup was a common late‑spring pattern of warm, humid air ahead of a front concentrating storms east of I‑25 and that much warmer, drier conditions are expected through the Memorial Day weekend, improving conditions for travel and outdoor plans.