Storms bring blanket of hail across southern Colorado

UPDATE 4:54 p.m. – Storms are exiting the Colorado Springs area and moving towards eastern El Paso County. They are weakening below severe limits but still bringing heavy rain, pea-size hail and frequent lightning. Storms will continue throughout the evening with a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in place until 10 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Pueblo County until 7:30 p.m.

Earlier

Severe thunderstorms were seen moving their way across southern Colorado Friday afternoon, and they’re expected to grow in intensity as they move eastward into Kansas.

The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Fremont, Custer, and El Paso counties. That was extended to 4:45 p.m. and stretches to southern Colorado Springs. A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for Canon City, Florence, and Penrose until 4:45 p.m.

A flash flood warning was issued for the area until 5:45 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the entire southeastern section of the state from Colorado Springs past the Kansas border and down to the New Mexico and Oklahoma borders.

The storms are moving east at about 5 mph toward Constitution Ave. and Peterson Air Force Base.

KRDO viewers sent us pictures of hail from Copper Gulch to Colorado Springs.

The front range is expecting rain and possible hail from north of Colorado Springs down to Pueblo.

District 20 in Colorado Springs announced a delayed release for students due to the weather. Other districts haven’t yet made similar announcements.

Colorado Springs police were put on accident alert status as streets filled with running water.

Check the latest radar and conditions at www.krdo.com/weather. We’ll have live coverage on KRDO NewsChannel 13 at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.