Planes Diverted, Windshields Broken After Hail Pounds Colorado
United Airlines expected delays and cancelations through Thursday afternoon after diverting 16 flights, airline spokeswoman Andrea Arroyo said. Eleven flights landed in Colorado Springs, five flights were sent to Pueblo and one flight landed in Grand Junction.
An American Airlines flight was delayed three hours after landing in Colorado Springs, spokesman Billy Sanez said.
Lightning prompted several airlines to pull flight crews off the runways at the peak of the storm, airport spokesman Chuck Cannon said.
''Severe storms really fired up just east of the Denver metro area, and continued up to the northeast across the plains,'' said National Weather Service meteorologist David Barjenbruch.
Windshields were shattered by grapefruit-sized hail in Washington County in the northeast corner of the state, but no injuries were immediately reported, Barjenbruch said. Hail the size of golf balls was reported in parts of Arapahoe and Adams counties.
Sheets of hail fell briefly in downtown Denver, sending pedestrians running for building awnings and setting off car alarms.
Despite recent warm and sunny weather, Barjenbruch said forecasters were expecting the stark change in weather.
''We've know for a few days we'd have severe weather and it's come through in nice fashion, if you like severe weather.''
The National Weather Service expected the storm to move out of Colorado by Thursday morning.