Severe Thunderstorm Warning 222, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1215 AM MDT Fri Jul 3 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Critical fire weather conditions in South Park through Friday.

- Isolated showers and storms mainly over east-central Colorado
  this afternoon and evening. A couple storms may be strong to
  severe.

- Near normal temperatures with scattered showers and storms on
  July 4th. These storms could become strong to severe.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Thursday/...
Issued at 1231 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2026

As of 2pm this afternoon, there's a boundary extending southeast from
south of Denver through Douglas and Elbert counties and into
southern Lincoln. Higher moisture and east/southeast winds are to
the north of the boundary and drier south/southwest winds are to
the south of the boundary. We're already seeing some cumulus and
a thunderstorm develop along this boundary. Additional development
will be possible along this boundary into the late afternoon,
with activity then progressing to the northeast. Storms today
should remain relatively isolated. The most likely areas to see
storms today will be our southern and eastern counties, with a
chance for an isolated storm to move off the foothills and into
the northern I-25 corridor. Surface instability and shear along
the boundary could produce a landspout or two with any storm that
initiates along it. We're also looking at the potential for large
hail and strong winds with any storm that develops.

Temperatures will increase for Friday as the upper level ridge
builds over the area. A weak upper level disturbance looks to
move near/north of the area Friday late afternoon and evening.
This combined with the potential for some residual outflow
boundaries from overnight convection to our north/northeast could
trigger some isolated convection. Most of the convection is
expected to remain to our north, however we could be on the tale
end of the activity, with a few storms pushing out of Wyoming and into
our northern counties. There's still quite a bit of uncertainty
with the location and extent of the convection on Friday due to
the overnight activity tonight to our north, and it's impact to
the afternoon convection in our area tomorrow.

Outflow from convection on Friday and more easterly surface winds as
a surface low moves near the area will bring increased moisture
and higher dewpoints for Saturday. The easterly/southeasterly
winds will allow for upslope flow, potentially triggering some
showers and thunderstorms in the early to mid afternoon, with
storms progressing east into the evening. The east/southeast
surface winds and westerly winds aloft will create decent 0-6km
shear across the area. This combined with strong lapse rates could
lead to severe weather Saturday afternoon and evening. The main
hazards will be large hail, strong winds, and dangerous lightning.

Upper level ridging will build over the area Sunday into early
next week, bringing temperatures into the low to mid 90s across
the plains. Even with the strengthening ridge, a few upper level
disturbances are expected to move through the flow aloft,
bringing the potential for isolated showers and storms each
afternoon Sunday and Monday. The ridge will start to push eastward
on Tuesday, flattening a bit as a more potent shortwave moves
through. This shortwave will provide the potential for more
widespread rain Tuesday afternoon and evening.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS through 06Z Saturday/...
Issued at 1153 PM MDT Thu Jul 2 2026

A line of showers and weak thunderstorms have developed near all
the TAF sites due to converging outflow boundaries late tonight.
This will disrupt the transition to drainage for the next hour or
two as showers remain in the area. KDEN will be the most likely
to see some light precipitation from these as they move northeast
over the next hour. Once showers dissipate, expecting winds to
transition to the south to southwest by 12Z. A few hours of light
and VRB winds are expected before easterly winds develop for the
afternoon hours. While confidence is too low to include in the TAF
at this time, there is a nonzero chance that a few virga showers
pass over the TAF sites this afternoon and early evening. If this
occurs, the best chances would be between 23Z-2Z and bring gusty
variable winds between 20-25 kts.

Still expecting smoke concentrations to bring slant range
visibility concerns by sunrise, with elevated smoke expected
through the TAF period.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning from noon to 7 PM MDT Friday for COZ214.

&&

DISCUSSION...AP
AVIATION...9