A flood watch remains in effect for Southeast Utah and portions of Southwest Colorado through Friday morning. The National Weather Service warns that excessive rainfall may cause flooding in rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying locations.
In Southeast Utah, the flood watch includes the Arches/Grand Flat, Canyonlands/Natural Bridges, La Sal and Abajo Mountains, and the San Juan River Basin. The alert also covers the Animas River Basin, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, and Southwest San Juan Mountains. Other areas under the watch include the cities of Blanding, Monticello, Moab, and various locations within Canyonlands National Park. Excessive runoff may also impact recent burn scars and could cause storm drains or ditches to become clogged with debris.
In Southwest Colorado, the flood watch covers the Upper Rio Grande Valley and the eastern San Juan Mountains. This watch is scheduled to remain in effect through Friday afternoon. Ample subtropical moisture is expected to bring periods of moderate to heavy rain from tonight into Friday morning before conditions wind down by Friday afternoon.
A hazardous weather outlook for central, east central, south central, and southeast Colorado indicates that an approaching Pacific storm system will continue to produce periods of moderate to heavy rainfall. In addition to the flood watch, officials noted that the peaks of the Continental Divide and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains may see new snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches through Friday. Snow levels are expected to drop Friday evening, potentially bringing an additional 3 to 5 inches of new snow to mountain peaks through Saturday.
The National Weather Service advises those living in areas prone to flooding to be prepared to take action should flooding develop and to monitor later forecasts for possible flood warnings.
