Stubborn atmospheric blocking pattern brings days of thunderstorms for High Plains, Rockies
An Omega block pattern is shifting to a Rex block pattern over the Great Lakes, which in turn is "trapping" an overall area of disturbed weather over the Rockies, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
More thunderstorms for western Plains on Saturday
Another round of strong thunderstorms is expected to fire again Saturday afternoon and evening. The risk for severe thunderstorms is a rating at a level 2 of 5 on the NOAA Storm Prediction Center's severe weather risk scale. Friday's risk level reached a level 3 in western Texas.
A week of strong thunderstorms along the High Plains will continue into Saturday as the severe weather threat stretches from Montana into West Texas.
It's the latest chapter in a stubborn weather pattern that looks to keep active weather around that area of the U.S. for several days.
A Rex block pattern this weekend over the Great Lakes will result in "trapping" an overall area of disturbed weather over the Rockies, according to the FOX Forecast Center. This will continue to bring daily chances for showers and storms into the weekend, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours.
WHAT IS AN OMEGA BLOCK? | WHAT IS A REX BLOCK?
Storms bring large hail to Colorado Friday
Hail falls over Colorado Springs, Colorado
Large amounts of hail covered the ground in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Friday.
On Friday, severe weather alerts were issued for millions from Wyoming to the Lone Star State. Large amounts of hail covered the ground in communities in New Mexico, Texas and Colorado.
In Encino, New Mexico, hail stones of 3.5" in diameter broke windshields, while in Hereford, Texas, spotters reported several inches of accumulated hail as a thunderstorm passed through.
In Colorado Springs, two people were struck by lightning on a golf course, according to the Colorado Springs Fire Department. Medics were called to the Valley Hi Golf Course around 3:40 p.m. for a report of two injured in a lightning strike. They arrived to find one person who had suffered an apparent direct hit and a second person who may have been indirectly struck. Both had stable vital signs when taken to a local hospital.
Tornado Warnings issued in Wyoming on Saturday
Thunderstorms triggered the issuance of Tornado Warnings in eastern Colorado on Saturday afternoon.
At least one twister was spotted in rural areas around Converse County.
There were no initial reports of injuries or damaged from the tornado.
![Tornado spotted in eastern Wyoming]()
Image 1 of 2A severe thunderstorm triggered NWS meteorologists to issue Tornado Warnings around Converse County. At least one tornado was spotted on Saturday afternoon. (JarodAntonovich/Twitter)
![Tornado spotted in eastern Wyoming]()
Image 2 of 2A severe thunderstorm triggered NWS meteorologists to issue Tornado Warnings around Converse County. At least one tornado was spotted on Saturday afternoon. (JarodAntonovich/Twitter)
THE 5-POINT SEVERE THUNDERSTORM RISK CATEGORY SCALE EXPLAINED
Thunderstorms still remain in forecast for Sunday
The forecast for Sunday still has lingering thunderstorms with an area of low risk for severe thunderstorms drifting a little farther south into western Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. Again, large hail and damaging winds are the likeliest threats, but an isolated tornado can't be ruled out.
Daily thunderstorms remain in the forecast for the Rockies as well. With the Omega block locked in, this pattern looks to stick around for the foreseeable future.