Updated weather alert: Boulder July 4 drone show delayed due to lightning
The start time of the July 4 drone show in Boulder has been delayed due to lightning, according to the event website.
The University of Colorado Boulder police tweeted at 7:03 p.m. that there was severe weather at Folsom Field and that anyone entering the stadium should shelter in the concourse or in the Bach Fieldhouse and follow instructions given in the stadium.
⚠️Severe weather remains near Folsom Field. Continue to shelter in Balch Fieldhouse or concourse. Stay in vehicle if not yet in stadium. Per @bouldercolorado see https://t.co/66Owu9WF9y for updates on drone show. Thank you and please stay safe. @wkre @boulderpolice #boulder — CU Boulder Police (@CUBoulderPolice) July 5, 2023
rel=”noopener”>CU police tweeted at 7:25 p.m. that the severe weather was ongoing, and anyone outside the stadium should stay in their vehicles or seek shelter in nearby parking structures.
Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Boulder had announced some changes to the drone show due the ominous weather outlook for the afternoon and evening.
In a 2:04 p.m. tweet, the National Weather Service in Boulder announced a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming until 11 p.m. Tuesday night. Boulder County was shown among the areas in Colorado that could see stormy weather.
According to the city, the ideal time to fly the drones is around 9:35 p.m., but the actual time could be moved earlier or later, depending on weather conditions. The drones could fly as early as 8:15 p.m. or as late as 10 p.m., and the city will make the final call during the event. After 10 p.m., if the weather has not improved, the show will be canceled.
The official event website states that drones can fly in light rain, but not in heavy rain, lightning, visibility under three miles or sustained winds of over 20 miles per hour. Lightning within eight miles of the stadium will prompt a shelter-in-place order, and guests will need to gather in the concourse until the storm has passed.
Additionally, bands may play from the Touchdown Club instead of on the field to keep musicians safe. However, umbrellas will still be allowed in the stadium.
The most up-to-date information on the event can be found at boulder4thofjuly.com.
Around the area
Estes Park postponed its Fourth of July fireworks display to July 15 due to a “severe weather forecast,” as reported by the Loveland Reporter-Herald.
The announcement was made in the morning of July 4 on the town’s website and social media, saying that instead the fireworks display would start at 9:30 p.m. on July 15.
“This decision was made out of concern for the safety of spectators and event staff,” according to the official announcement.
The fireworks festivities in Loveland — scheduled at North Lake Park from 4-9 p.m., followed at a fireworks display over Lake Loveland — had not been canceled as of 6:20 p.m., according to a report from the Reporter-Herald.
Rain and hail hit Loveland in the late afternoon and early evening, prompting city officials to urge residents, via event texts, to take cover.
Staff at Reporter-Herald contributed to this report.
Source: Boulder Daily Camera
