Matt Makens

We've had plenty of strong winds across the greater metro area so far today, and
now we watch for some strong to severe thunderstorms to develop over the plains
as we head into late afternoon/evening. 

A surface trough is draped from Eastern Wyoming to Eastern Colorado which offers
some directional sheer, strong surface winds obviously, and there's just enough
moisture along that trough to support some large hail and damaging wind with any
storm that develops.

The SPC issued a severe thunderstorm watch through late Wednesday for parts of
Colorado's plains, which is the first for the state this year.

Until now, this map shows severe thunderstorm watch occurrences per NWS office
so far this year.

Using the HRRR as an example, here is its radar image and CAPE for:

6 pm:

7 pm:

8 pm:

Although along a trough axis with strong surface wind, helicity may be a
limiting factor for widespread development along with the modest surface
moisture. As you can see, the greatest threat for some of these storms to
develop is north/northeast of the immediate Denver area.

First Severe Thunderstorm Watch of the year for eastern Colorado