Utah
Flood watch issued in Utah; flash flooding expected at some national parks as monsoons linger
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SALT LAKE CITY — Monsoonal moisture is back in Utah and so are the higher risks of flash flooding.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for most of southwest and central Utah that will remain in effect through 10 p.m. Wednesday, advising that “excessive rainfall” may cause flash flooding.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of slot canyons, normally dry washes and small streams,” the advisory states. “Debris flows from recent burn scars are also possible.”
The weather service also warns that flash flooding is “expected” Wednesday at Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion national parks, as well as the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the San Rafael Swell. It’s “probable” at Arches and Canyonland national parks, Natural Bridges National Monument and Grand Gulch, the agency adds.
There is an increased risk of flash flooding for southern Utah National Parks and recreation areas. Make sure to check in with local visitor centers or ranger stations before heading out and have a plan if threatening weather approaches. More at: https://t.co/7kgSJIR7mF#utwxpic.twitter.com/OG6Uwxt0Mi
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) August 2, 2023
The watches and advisories come as low-pressure systems continue to pump moisture in from Arizona Wednesday.
KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson said one system “swung through” the state overnight, providing scattered showers Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Another system is moving northeast in Utah, producing more scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially Wednesday afternoon and evening.
The system, Johnson said, has “better dynamics,” meaning that there’s a higher likelihood of high precipitation totals within a storm. While there’s no guarantee any spot in Utah will receive rain, the areas that do receive downpours may get a heavy dose all at once, which is why there’s an elevated risk for flash flooding.
“They don’t really have a direction,” he explained. “They bubble up in one spot and die there, then pop up in another.”
Similar storms that developed Tuesday led to flash flooding and mudslides at Indian Canyon near Duchesne and at Alta in Little Cottonwood Canyon, according to the National Weather Service. Brian Head in southern Utah received 1.08 inches of rain on Tuesday, while Lone Peak received 0.97 inches and Morgan ended up with 0.74 inches.
The storms arrived after several Utah areas ended up with above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation throughout July.
Meanwhile, the system passing through Wednesday is expected to clear up early Thursday morning before another wave of scattered showers later in the day. However, these storms likely won’t produce as much precipitation, Johnson said.
The current forecast calls for drier conditions to develop by the weekend. High temperatures are forecast to top out in the upper 80s and lower 90s across the Wasatch Front, and the lower 100s in St. George.
Full seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found online, at the KSL Weather Center.