Special Weather Statement, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
122 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected this
  afternoon. Storms will be capable of producing strong winds,
  heavy rainfall, and localized flash flooding.

- Storm coverage expected to decrease for Friday into Saturday but
  may increase again by Sunday, with highest coverage over the
  higher terrain.

- Temperatures will rise back into the upper 90's to lower 100's
  over northeast Colorado for the weekend into early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION /Through Thursday/...
Issued at 1254 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

Scattered to numerous storms are expected across the area today. As
of early this afternoon, dewpoints are in the 50s to mid 60s for
much of the plains and portions of the mountains. PWs are still
sitting near the 99th percentile to the climatological max for
this time of the year. Flow aloft is a bit faster today compared
to yesterday, so storms will be moving quicker (which will help
lower the flash flooding potential). However, since quite a few
areas have seen rain the past few days, certain areas will have
lower flash flood thresholds and will be more susceptible to flash
flooding with any heavy rain that moves over. Along with the
heavy rain and flash flooding threat, we'll also need to monitor
storms for strong winds associated with microbursts or strong
outflows. Most areas will likely see around a half an inch or
less, but there will be localized areas that see multiple inches
of rain today.

The upper level ridge will start to build east over the area on
Friday. The ridge will continue to build into the weekend, with the
center of the high sitting near or over Colorado Saturday and
Sunday. As of the most recent model runs, the majority of
ensemble members of the GFS and Euro have temperatures at or above
100 degrees for Denver on Sunday. Even warmer temperatures are
expected across the eastern plains on Sunday, with a few spots in
the northeastern plains sitting at a 30-50% chance of highs
reaching 105. A Heat Advisory may be needed across portions of the
Urban Corridor and NE plains for Sunday if the forecast holds.

The upper high will weaken slightly and shift a bit more east and
south for early next week. This could be enough to let a few weak
disturbances move through the flow aloft. We could also start to
see an increase in moisture Sunday into early next week, helping
bring rain chances back to the plains. Temperatures next week are
still a bit uncertain. Some models are holding onto the triple
digit temperatures through Monday, while others drop temperatures
a few degrees with the weakening of the thermal ridge and
increased precip chances. There will likely be a surface low near
the region next week, which could bring a weak front through the
area. The impact of the front will be pretty minimal, but it
could drop temperatures closer to normal.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday/...
Issued at 1148 AM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

North to northeast are expected to continue the next few hours
ahead of the thunderstorms. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms
are expected this afternoon and early evening, mainly 20-02Z
across the Denver area. Very heavy rain and strong outflow winds
to 45 knots will accompany the stronger thunderstorms. Outflow
winds likely produce a wind shift or two through 02Z. Winds then
settle a southerly wind direction 02-04Z. Threat for storms Friday
will be lower, and later (after 00Z Saturday).

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...AP
AVIATION...12

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
218 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

COZ046-232045-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County CO-
218 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL LINCOLN COUNTY
UNTIL 245 PM MDT...

At 218 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles south of Lindon, or 22 miles northeast of Limon, moving south
at 15 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...
  Mainly rural areas of North Central Lincoln County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Heavy rain is occurring with this storm and may lead to flooding. Do
not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3954 10353 3957 10342 3957 10340 3944 10329
      3940 10353
TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 343DEG 11KT 3953 10344

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

Hiris

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Denver CO
303 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

COZ038-042-232145-
Northeast Weld County CO-Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest
Weld County CO-
303 PM MDT Thu Jul 23 2026

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN WELD COUNTY
UNTIL 345 PM MDT...

At 303 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms extending from 13 miles southwest of Kimball Municipal
Airport to over Rockport, or extending from 16 miles southwest of
Kimball to 18 miles south of Cheyenne, moving south at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
  Pierce, Nunn, Grover, Hereford, Keota, Pawnee Buttes, Purcell,
  Rockport, Carr and Natural Fort.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Heavy rain is occurring with these storms and may lead to flooding.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4096 10494 4100 10433 4100 10364 4091 10357
      4080 10357 4067 10403 4059 10487
TIME...MOT...LOC 2103Z 339DEG 15KT 4102 10379 4091 10418 4088 10477

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Hiris