The National Weather Service Salt Lake City has issued flood watches and wind advisories for multiple Utah regions as moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel approaches. The weather system is expected to bring widespread rainfall and high winds through Monday afternoon.
A flood watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Monday afternoon for several areas, including Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and the Wasatch Mountains. This watch covers locations such as Springdale, Kanab, Hurricane, St George, and Cedar City. In these areas, flash flooding from excessive rainfall is possible, with some highly localized amounts potentially reaching 6-8 inches. Other areas under the watch include the San Rafael Swell, Capitol Reef National Park, and the Glen Canyon Recreation Area/Lake Powell.
In northern Utah, a separate flood watch is scheduled from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon. This impacts the Salt Lake Valley, Wasatch Front, Cache Valley, and the Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains. Locations included in this watch are Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Logan, Brigham City, and Bountiful. This region may experience areal flooding due to moisture interacting with a frontal boundary.
High winds are also forecasted for several regions. A wind advisory is in effect from 3 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday, bringing south winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. This advisory impacts the Wasatch Front, Tooele and Rush Valleys, and the Sanpete Valley.
A high wind watch is scheduled from Sunday morning through late Sunday night. This watch covers the Central and Southern Mountains, with potential gusts exceeding 70 mph possible in some areas. Other areas under a high wind watch include the Sevier Valley and parts of the Eastern Juab and Millard Counties, where gusts could exceed 60 mph.
The incoming moisture is expected to cause widespread rainfall totals ranging from 2 to 4 inches, though some areas may see higher amounts. The National Weather Service warned that saturated soils and recent burn scars, such as those in Forsyth, Cottonwood, Silver King, France Canyon, and Monroe Canyon, could increase the risk of flash flooding. Excessive runoff may result in the flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, slot canyons, and urban areas.
Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor forecasts and be prepared to take action if flash flood warnings are issued. High winds may move loose debris, damage property, and cause power outages. Travelers, particularly those in high-profile vehicles or with trailers, should use extra caution.
