A fast‑hitting severe thunderstorm warning barreled into the northern Denver suburbs Friday afternoon, putting Thornton, Arvada, and Westminster on alert as forecasters warned of hail and damaging winds.
Phones buzzed with alerts and local emergency notifications telling people to head indoors while radar tracked the storm’s intense core sliding across the metro.
According to the National Weather Service in Boulder, the warning specifically included those three cities and remained in effect until 2:45 p.m. MDT. Forecasters said the storm could kick out quarter‑size hail and wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour.
As noted by The Denver Post, the short‑fuse warning was issued early in the afternoon as the line of storms raced east, and spotters were asked to call in reports of hail or damage. The Post placed Friday’s alert within a multi‑day stretch of heightened severe‑weather potential along the Front Range.
Metro Already Feeling Effects
It was hardly the first punch from the sky this week. Earlier rounds of storms over eastern Colorado snarled travel and dropped large hail across the plains, and broadcasters said Denver’s airport had to limit operations in the volatile pattern.
CBS News Colorado reported that an FAA ground stop was issued earlier in the week as gusty outflow winds and hail affected the region.
Where To Watch And How To Stay Safe
Officials repeated the standard severe‑weather playbook: get inside a sturdy building, stay away from windows and steer clear of flooded or debris‑clogged streets. That guidance comes from the National Weather Service in Boulder in coordination with local emergency managers.
They also urged residents to monitor official bulletins and public‑safety channels for fresh alerts and to report any significant storm damage.
Emergency services and utilities remain on standby for damage reports, and residents are encouraged to keep phones charged and follow city alert systems for the latest updates as storms continue to fire along the Front Range.
