Rare funnel clouds spook Denver

DENVER, June 15 (UPI) -- A storm system with funnel clouds rare for Denver dropped quarter-sized hail and a half inch of rain in 20 minutes, Colorado authorities said.

Sunday's funnel clouds, which did not touch down, set off city emergency sirens and sent fans and ball players scrambling for cover at Coors Field, The Denver Post reported Monday.

"I've lived here my whole life, and I've never seen anything like it," said Jed Smart, a Denver resident.

Sunday's storm system pelted Lakewood to Fort Lupton with heavy hail and rain, dousing Denver with just a shower, the Post reported.

Storms were predicted Monday from the Plains states through West Texas and east to the Carolinas with the possibility of large hail and damaging winds, Accuweather.com reported.

Parts of Kansas, Oklahoma and South Dakota, were at risk of tornado weather late Monday, Accuweather said.