Flood Threat High In Arizona

Migraine x

Add New Interest

Ken Clark

Flood Threat High In Arizona

November 21, 2013; 2:58 PM

The storm dropping south off the southern California coast tonight and parked nearly stationary Friday into Saturday brings a high chance of flooding problems to portions of Arizona.

Spotty rain early tonight turns steadier and heavier late Thursday night and Friday for central and western Arizona. Training of rain can continue over parts of this area, especially central Arizona, Friday night and even into part of Saturday. Computer model forecasts are very impressive with the rainfall amounts. The map below is the total precipitation from this afternoon through the night Saturday night.

There is widespread amounts of 1-3 inches but a core of 3 to 5 inches from south of Casa Grande up to the Flagstaff area. Phoenix's normal November rainfall is 0.65 inches. Normal winter rainfall, October through March, is only 4.89 inches. The Phoenix metro area could get 3-4 inches of rain.

Rain, no matter when it occurs in the desert Southwest, is usually very welcomed. And surely after such dry weather the last couple of years some of this rain is surely needed. But this is the case of too much rain too quickly. These rainfall amounts will bring local flooding problems. There can be major flooding problems in low lying spots and near typically dry gulches and riverbeds. If traveling anywhere in this area be very careful. Do not even attempt to cross running water no matter how shallow it may seem. People die each year making this very mistake.

The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of AccuWeather, Inc. or AccuWeather.com

Comments

Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.

More Western U.S. Weather Blog

Slow Start to the Fire Season, but Not for All

July 30, 2014; 1:47 PM ET

With approximately 1.6 million acres burned so far this is about 600,000 acres less than last year

Smoke From Western Fires Reach Far to the East

July 17, 2014; 1:44 PM ET

Within the three-state area of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, there are 21 large fire incidents ongoing.

Lake Mead Reaches a Record Low Level

July 11, 2014; 1:50 PM ET

The water level on this massive reservoir had never been lower than what was reached on July 9.

Getting Even Hotter in the Northwest

July 9, 2014; 1:41 PM ET

It has been pretty hot of late in the interior Northwest but even hotter weather looks likely by Sunday and Monday.

Monsoon Moisture Brings Showers to Northern California/Oregon

July 7, 2014; 1:27 PM ET

It does not usually rain this time of year; when it does, this is usually how it happens.

The Southwest Monsoon Sets Off Weekend Thunderstorms

July 3, 2014; 2:25 PM ET

This is the beginnings of the summer monsoon pattern that typically starts around the first week in July.

older Posts >

About This Blog

Ken Clark
Ken Clark's Western U.S. weather blog tackles daily weather events with commentary from one of the most experienced and trusted Western U.S. weather experts.