This being Severe Weather Awareness Week, today’s topic is a dual one, Lightning and Hail. Now, it is important to note that, severe thunderstorms have specific criteria, and that criteria has nothing to do with how much lightning occurs. Lightning, simply changes it from being a shower to a thunderstorm.
Because this is such an "outdoor" state, we are prone to lightning strikes, so you must be aware. In short, if you can hear it, you can be struck by it. And if you do hear it, it has already happened, so you must take immediate action.
As for hail, it is a frequent occurrence in Colorado. It tends to be bigger further east of I-25 one is. It can be from pea size, to softball size. It begins to do damage at 1"…which is when it is considered to be "severe".
Pay attention to forecasts, and pay attention to the skies too!
And either way, because of the frequency of thunderstorms and given how quickly any one of them can become severe, "When you hear thunder roar, get indoors"
