Flash Flood Threat Hits Vegas, Phoenix, SoCal
The Centennial Wash flows over its banks through Wenden, Ariz. Friday, Oct. 27, 2000. Heavy rains throughout the night and early morning brought water levels back up after the town of 1,200 people experienced a flash flood late Saturday and Sunday. Mandatory evacuations early Friday forced about 300 residents from their home once again as rains fell. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Downpours and thunderstorms will be common across the Southwest into the middle of the week as a pair of disturbances join forces to bring a flash flood threat to the region.
An upper-atmosphere storm over the region will combine with a similar feature arriving from the Pacific Ocean to spark numerous downpours and thunderstorms into Wednesday, especially during the afternoons and evenings.
"Abundant monsoonal moisture will add fuel to the disturbances crossing the region," said Meteorologist Brian Edwards.
"Torrential downpours and flash flooding will be a major threat during the first part of this week," added Edwards.
Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Calif., Phoenix and Flagstaff, Ariz., will be among a host of other cities across the Southwest that will be at risk for flash flooding.
Although the valley floors will be at risk, it will be even higher across the mountains.
Drainage washes and ditches can turn into a raging torrent of water in a short amount of time in these situations.
Flood waters can quickly inundate some roadways as well over the next couple of days. If drivers ever encounter a water covered road, they are urged to never cross it.
The flash flood threat will move farther east on Wednesday toward the Four Corners region. Later this week, the moisture-laden air will move into the Plains, contributing to some very beneficial rainfall for the drought-stricken region.
As for the Southwest, the stormy weather will move away by the latter part of this week as a high pressure system settles into the region. This system will promote plenty of sunshine and warm afternoons as highs rebound into the 100s.
The corridor of showers and thunderstorms will move over central and western Texas and the southern Plains, where rainfall is desperately needed.
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