National Weather Service watches, warnings explained
Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
The Fourth of July weather outlook looks unsettled at best.
Rain, thunderstorms and a chance of hail across Colorado have already led to the postponement or cancellation of numerous planned community fireworks shows, including those in Estes Park and Sterling. With many communities planning outdoor activities later Tuesday when severe weather is expected to hit, it’ll be smart to have an indoor backup plan.
Before you go searching for your “Independence Day” or “The Sandlot” DVDs for a Fourth of July movie marathon, here’s what to know about the weather outlook.
This story will be updated with pertinent National Weather Service watches and warnings, along with any announced fireworks shows in the Fort Collins area, so return to Coloradoan.com for more.
Fort Collins’ planned pre-fireworks concert has been canceled due to severe weather in the area. The fireworks show remains scheduled, but city staff are monitoring the changing weather situation, per a city tweet.
– Eric Larsen
Fort Collins City Park is under another evacuation notice due to lightning.
Elsewhere, the strong storm moving through north-central Larimer County and Wyoming south of Laramie is nearing Rustic and Virginia Dale, moving east at 30 mph and bringing 60-mph winds and nickel-sized hail, according to a NWS severe thunderstorm warning. The storm extends on a line from 22 miles southeast of Laramie to 27 miles northwest of Fort Collins, according to the alert. It is expected to be near Virginia Dale at 6:10 p.m.
– Eric Larsen
The evacuation order for Fort Collins City Park has been lifted. To sign up for Fort Collins-specific alerts about weather impacts to today’s activities, text FoCo4th to 888-777.
City officials are tracking another storm band south of the city that could cause conditions to worsen and necessitate shelter.
– Eric Larsen
Fort Collins officials have called for the evacuation of city park due to severe weather in the area, as of 5:20 p.m., per a city tweet. People in the area should seek immediate shelter. Limited shelter is available in Transfort buses that have been posted in the area.
To sign up for Fort Collins-specific alerts about weather impacts to today’s activities, text FoCo4th to 888-777.
Farther south, NWS issued a special weather statement for a storm producing 40-mph winds and nickel-sized hail in the areas of Loveland, Berthoud and Drake.
– Eric Larsen
A thunderstorm producing 60-mph winds and half-dollar-sized hail is moving east through nonwestern Larimer County south of Laramie. The warning for the storm is in effect through 5:45 p.m., though its track is farther north than the county’s population center.
According to the NWS, brief land spout tornadoes have been reported with this storm, and hail damage to vehicles is expected.
– Eric Larsen
Much of Colorado is under a severe thunderstorm watch for the remainder of Independence Day. A severe thunderstorm warning called for northeastern Weld County will expire at 3:15 p.m. after the storms that prompted the warning weakened and no longer pose a threat to life or property, according to the NWS.
– Eric Larsen
The National Weather Service expects Independence Day to feature an up to 80% chance of heavy rain and breezy conditions, with thunderstorms likely after 4 p.m.
The threat of showers and thunderstorms will persist until 3 a.m., so they’ll be in play for the fireworks shows that Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath and Wellington have planned during the 9 p.m. hour.
– Eric Larsen
Fort Collins area Independence Day fireworks cancellations
Estes Park has already postponed its planned fireworks show, scheduling it for 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15, according to a tweet from the town.
As of 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, no other area municipality had announced a postponement or cancellation.
– Eric Larsen
How can I get live weather warnings for Larimer County?
LETA, Larimer County’s emergency warning system, offers text and call alerts to those who sign up at FEMA also has a customizable mobile app that provides updated weather alerts from the National Weather Service.
– Eric Larsen