Alert archive / Colorado / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 366, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

August 26, 2026Lincoln County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 26, 2026, 5:53 PM MDT for Lincoln County, Colorado. It was in force for 26 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 26, 2026, 5:53 PM MDT (23:53 UTC)
Expired
Aug 26, 2026, 6:19 PM MDT
In force
26 min
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.5 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Lincoln County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 83 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:53 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 26, 3:53 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The text

As transmitted.

711 
WUUS55 KBOU 262353
SVRBOU
COC073-270045-
/O.NEW.KBOU.SV.W.0366.260826T2353Z-260827T0045Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Denver CO
553 PM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southeastern Lincoln County in east central Colorado...

* Until 645 PM MDT.

* At 553 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 15 miles east of
  Wild Horse Point, or 50 miles southeast of Limon, moving south at
  15 mph.

  HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail
           damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect
           wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Mainly rural areas of Southeastern Lincoln County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.

&&

LAT...LON 3869 10337 3877 10316 3869 10316 3869 10317
      3853 10317 3852 10325 3852 10336
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 352DEG 14KT 3863 10325

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Aponte
1 follow-up statement
012 
WWUS55 KBOU 270019
SVSBOU

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
619 PM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

COC073-270029-
/O.CAN.KBOU.SV.W.0366.000000T0000Z-260827T0045Z/
Lincoln CO-
619 PM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN LINCOLN
COUNTY...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MDT
Wednesday for a portion of east central Colorado.

&&

LAT...LON 3869 10337 3877 10316 3869 10316 3869 10317
      3853 10317 3852 10325 3852 10336
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 352DEG 14KT 3863 10325

$$

AP

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 26, 11:40 AM MDT, 6 hours 13 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered afternoon/evening thunderstorms expected for the I-25 Corridor and plains. A few storms could become severe, with large hail and strong winds possible.
  • Thunderstorm coverage decreases Thursday and Friday with mainly isolated high-based showers/storms with gusty winds.
  • Temperatures return to the 90s Friday and Saturday across the plains.
  • Thunderstorm coverage increases for late Saturday and Sunday.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 26, 11:40 AM MDT, 6 hours 13 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1140 AM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered afternoon/evening thunderstorms expected for the I-25
  Corridor and plains. A few storms could become severe, with
  large hail and strong winds possible.

- Thunderstorm coverage decreases Thursday and Friday with mainly
  isolated high-based showers/storms with gusty winds. 

- Temperatures return to the 90s Friday and Saturday across the
  plains. 

- Thunderstorm coverage increases for late Saturday and Sunday. 

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Wednesday/...
Issued at 1140 AM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

An upper level high will be centered over Arizona/New Mexico
today with ridging extending northward all the way to Alberta.
This will lead to a northwest flow aloft over Colorado. Outflow
from thunderstorms last night and this morning increased low level
moisture but also cooled the airmass. Temperatures are slow to
warm this morning, with 11 AM readings only in the mid to upper
70s. DEN ACARS soundings still show a strong inversion centered
around 700mb. Forecast model soundings show this as well, but they
don't appear strong enough regarding the inversion. This leads to
a highly uncertain thunderstorm forecast and severe threat for
later today. MLCAPE is still forecasted to climb to 1000-2000 J/kg
along and east of the I-25 corridor. The 0-6km bulk shear reaches
30-40 knots. The 30 knots is borderline for severe storms, but
where we see east to southeast surface winds around 10 knots, the
bulk shear will be closer to 40 knots. This favors areas east of a
line from Fort Collins to DIA for severe storms. Because of the
slower heating, storm development will likely be delayed with late
afternoon and early evening hours being favored. Again, given the
strength of the inversion, the severe thunderstorm threat remains
highly uncertain. 

The upper-level high will remain centered to our southeast, but
the ridge axis shifts eastward over Colorado on Thursday. This
will bring warmer temperatures and some drying. Precipitable water
values fall below an inch throughout the area, except for the far
eastern plains. Warmer air aloft, less moisture and instability
will lead to a notable decrease in thunderstorm activity. There
should be enough lingering moisture for isolated high-based
showers and thunderstorms. Any rainfall is expected to be light,
with gusty outflow winds up to 45 mph possible. However, southeast
winds will prevail over far eastern Colorado, helping to preserve
low level moisture. MLCAPE will reach 1000-2000 J/kg with 0-6km
bulk shear of around 40 knots, which would favor severe
thunderstorms. Warmer air aloft may cap convection, though.
Convergence along a boundary is likely needed for storms to
initially form, and models generally don't show this happening. 

The high intensifies (slightly) and drifts northeastward for
Friday. Temperatures warm further, with highs expected to reach
the lower to mid 90s across northeast Colorado. Models hint at a
slight increase in moisture, which should fuel a round of
afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms. Given the warm
temperatures and limited moisture and instability, the
showers/storms are expected to be high-based with gusty outflows
being common.

For the weekend, an upper level trough (eventually strengthening
into a closed low) will track east across the northwest part of
the country. This will push the upper level high east of the
region, with southwest flow aloft developing over Colorado. We'll
see an increase in monsoon moisture leading to a better chance for
showers and thunderstorms.  The very warm air hangs on for
Saturday with lower to mid 90s expected again, but temperatures
will cool to the mid 80s to lower 90s for Sunday. 

The weather pattern for next week starts to look like a late
summer/early fall pattern, featuring stronger west to southwest
flow aloft with one or two shortwave troughs passing across the
region. For now, models show enough moisture each day for a round
of showers and thunderstorms. However, wouldn't be surprised if we
end up with a dry and breezy day due to subsidence behind an
exiting shortwave trough.  

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday/...
Issued at 1119 AM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

Not sure about timing of convection due to capping inversion. It's
possible tstm development around the area may hold off until after
22z and could linger thru 02z based on latest data. If a stronger
storm were to affect one of the airports (10% chance) brief
visibility down to 1 to 3 miles with ceilings blo 6000 ft would be
possible along with wind gusts to 50 mph along with hail. Tstm
threat should diminish after 02z.

As far as winds, they should trend to the east by 19z and linger
thru the aftn thru 02z. By 02z expect more of a SE direction which
will change to southerly by 04z. Overnight expect SSW winds which
will trend to light WSW by 14z.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

DISCUSSION...BM
AVIATION...RPK

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 26, 2:24 PM MDT, 3 hours 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
224 PM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

COZ037-262100-
Central and Southeast Park County CO-
224 PM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN PARK COUNTY UNTIL 3
PM MDT...

At 224 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Guffey, or 71 miles southwest of Denver, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Guffey.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3873 10564 3887 10557 3886 10533 3870 10533
      3870 10555
TIME...MOT...LOC 2024Z 287DEG 8KT 3879 10552

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Aponte
Special weather statement, Aug 26, 3:14 PM MDT, 2 hours 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
314 PM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

COZ041-262145-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet CO-
314 PM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL ELBERT AND
SOUTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM MDT...

At 314 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Greenland, or 39 miles south of Denver, moving southeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Greenland.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3916 10491 3927 10481 3923 10458 3913 10457
      3913 10489 3915 10491
TIME...MOT...LOC 2114Z 298DEG 8KT 3918 10478

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Aponte
Local storm report, Aug 26, 3:23 PM MDT, 2 hours 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Denver CO
323 PM MDT Wed Aug 26 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0307 PM     Hail             3 ENE Greenland         39.21N 104.79W
08/26/2026  M1.00 Inch       Douglas            CO   Trained Spotter

&&

AGS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 26, 2:24 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUTeller36 min
Aug 26, 3:06 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULarimer3 hr
Aug 26, 3:14 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBOUDouglas31 min
Aug 26, 3:25 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULarimer42 min
Aug 26, 3:34 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUDouglas41 min
Aug 26, 3:42 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULarimer22 min
Aug 26, 4:01 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULarimer25 min
Aug 26, 4:03 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULarimer3 hr
Aug 26, 5:00 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUDouglas28 min
Aug 26, 5:08 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Douglas, Elbert52 min
Aug 26, 5:15 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULincoln41 min
Aug 26, 5:22 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUDouglas113 min
Aug 26, 5:27 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUArapahoe, Douglas, Elbert3 hr
Aug 26, 5:42 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUArapahoe, Elbert, Lincoln, Washington44 min
Aug 26, 5:52 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatBOUArapahoe, Elbert34 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Colorado, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.