Flash floods, wildfires to riddle western US through this weekend
The risk of isolated flash flooding and wildfire ignition and spread will continue across parts of the western United States through this weekend.
A northward surge of high humidity associated with the North American monsoon will produce sporadic rainfall and may ease the threat of wildfires in some areas and assist firefighting efforts in others.
However, this same batch of moisture can produce thunderstorms with torrential rain in a small area and no rain with chaotic wind gusts in others.
The main corridor of moisture and corresponding thunderstorms that was centered on Arizona and Utah much of this week will meander farther to the east this weekend.
"During this weekend, areas at greatest risk for flash flooding will focus on New Mexico, Colorado, part of western Texas and the eastern part of Arizona," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.
During next week, the main corridor of thunderstorms is likely to meander farther to the west once again.
"Much of California may be on the receiving end of thunderstorms during the first part of next week," according to AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Max Vido.
The terrain and arid nature in much of the region sets the stage for both flash floods and the rapid spread of wildfires.
Nine people were killed following flash flooding at a popular swimming spot in central Arizona this past weekend, according to the Associated Press. A tenth person was missing for several days, but ABC News reports that authorities believe they found his remains on Wednesday. A wall of water from a distant thunderstorm flowed rapidly down a placid stream and overwhelmed the bathers near the town of Payson.
Motorists should remain on the lookout for sudden flooding during downpours as well as a sudden drop in visibility from dust in areas where little or no rain falls.
Campers and hikers should keep abreast of their surroundings by scanning for distant thunderstorms and monitoring weather bulletins as they are issued.
The intense summer sun will continue to beat down on the landscape and dry out vegetation over much of the region.
While fluctuations in fire weather will occur on a daily basis, the risk of wildfire ignition and spread will remain.
Thunderstorms, by their namesake, generate lightning. When lightning strikes dry brush, a fire can erupt. While as many as 90 percent of wildland fires in the U.S are caused by humans, much of the remaining causes are from lightning strikes, according to the National Park Service.
"The greatest risk of lightning-induced wildfires will be on the leading edge of the moisture from the monsoon," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey.
In this area, the storms generally lack a great deal of moisture and tend to yield very limited rainfall, but produce a significant amount of lightning strikes.
The cycle of spring growth, followed by summer heat and wildfires, are familiar to those who have spent years in the West.
"Following the ample rain and mountain snow from this winter, there is more brush available to act as a potential source of fuel for the fires in the lower and intermediate elevations," Duffey said.
Crews battle the wildfires near Mariposa, California, on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Record rain and snowfall this past winter was celebrated for bringing California's five-year drought to its knees, but it has turned into a challenge for firefighters battling flames feeding on dense vegetation. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
"At least in high country, the fuels will remain wet much longer and more resistant to fire, thanks to lower temperatures and the snow cover that lingered well into the spring," Duffey said.
As of Friday morning, July 21, 2017, there were dozens of active wildfires in the western U.S., including at least 18 in Nevada, 16 in Arizona, 17 in Montana, 10 in New Mexico, 15 in California, nine in Colorado, eight in Idaho, five in Washington, four in Utah, two in Oregon and two in Wyoming, according to the Incident Information System.
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