Monsoon rainfall to threaten flash flooding in southwestern US
This year’s rainy season has already proven dangerous and fatal across the southwestern United States, and the influx of dangerous weather isn’t expected to let up this week.
While a strong dome of heat remains over the northwestern U.S., storms are expected to pummel areas just outside its main area of influence this week.
“One trend will be increasing monsoon moisture across Southern California,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Mike Doll.
The moisture will spur the development of showers and thunderstorms and foster high humidity for much of the region.
"Thunderstorms will be more evident during the afternoon and early evening in the deserts and over the mountains,” he said.
Anyone in central Colorado, eastern Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas, will also need to continue to keep an eye out for flash flooding from any storms.
Residents and tourists alike will need to keep up-to-date on the weather and adjust outdoor plans and travel accordingly as the threat of flooding rainfall continues across the Desert Southwest.
Those planning on visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas or Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park or Rocky Mountain National Park may need to adjust or postpone their plans in order to stay safe.
Shelter should be sought at the first sign of threatening weather - flooding and lightning threats are both dangers that can come on suddenly.
Normally dry creek beds can become flooded with no warning as storms located upstream produce torrents of water.
Anyone caught on the road in heavy storms should not attempt to continue through the drenching rainfall, as visibility drops suddenly and roads can quickly flood in any storm.
Even after a storm has ended, it will be important for motorists and pedestrians to avoid trying to traverse flooded roadways.
In addition to the threat for flooding, some of the storms may bring little or no rain and a great deal of lighting.
“The risk of lightning-sparked wildfires will increase,” warned Doll.
Working against the rapid spread of wildfires, in addition to localized downpours, will be high humidity levels in the region for a time.
"For some people it may seem more like Florida, rather than California," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark.
This is about as humid as it gets in Southern California, Clark added.
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