Tornado Slams Weld County, Flips Trucks
No Injuries Reported, But Damage Reported
DENVER -- A powerful tornado touched in Weld County Thursday, moving through the towns of Gilcrest and Milliken, about 45 miles north of Denver.
The tornado was first reported at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday. It was moving to the northwest but another line of storms formed to the northwest of location, threatening more severe weather. Watch our live NEXRAD radar feed.
No injuries have been reported but Weld County officials closed Highway 85 at Highway 60 after two semi-trailers were blown over at that location. The truck drivers were not believed to be seriously injured.
Electrical power was reported out in Greeley and other communities in the area, north of the area where a second line of storms was approaching from the Fort Collins area.
In Windsor, north of Greeley, there were also unconfirmed reports of storm damage, and a funnel passed over the top of the fire station. The extent of the damage in Windsor was not immediately known. Communications were difficult because phone lines were down.
Some of the hail from the initial storm cell was the size of tennis balls and dented vehicles, and broke windshields.
Filed Earlier:
The recent hot spell has ended over Colorado thanks to the cold front that moved through on Wednesday night. Winds will pick up today with gusts that could reach over 50 mph. There is a good chance for thunderstorms this afternoon and a light rain/snow mix in the mountains above 10,000 feet. Light snow will become heavier later today for the southwest mountains. Southwest mountains under a SNOW ADVISORY and WINTER STORM WARNING until Friday afternoon.
The eastern plains will see a chance for more thunderstorms today, with the possibility of some severe storms again. The most likely area affected by severe thunderstorms will be from Denver to Limon to the northeast corner of Colorado. A HIGH WIND WARNING is in effect until 6 PM this evening so watch for blowing dust. The high winds have also increased the fire danger and a RED FLAG WARNING is in effect from 11 AM to 9 PM tonight.
Temperatures today will dip about 15-20 degrees from yesterday with highs in the 60s to low 70s. There will be more scattered showers and thunderstorms across the state today and Friday, and a good soaking rain can be expected for a few areas. Thursday will be the first of few unsettled and cooler days, and after a string of 80s and dry weather, even a little moisture will be a welcome sight!
Snow melt flooding is also becoming a real concern in the mountain areas. Flood watches have already been issued for sections of the Green, Yampa, Elk and East Rivers in western Colorado as waters are rising and running fast in most mountain streams and rivers.
Some severe storms are almost always possible somewhere in Colorado during the last part of May and the beginning of June, so stay tuned to 7NEWS and TheDenverChannel.com for the latest on this dynamic spring weather.
