NWS warns of flash flooding in west-central, southwest Utah
Aug 20, 2023, 8:07 AM | Updated: 2:46 pm
A line of storms rolls through Salt Lake Valley on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Spencer Heaps)
(Spencer Heaps)
SALT LAKE CITY — Flood watch alerts are in place for St. George, Richfield and Manti through Monday, as Hurricane Hilary prepares to make landfall near the southwestern United States.
The National Weather Service expects showers and thunderstorms with a 15% to 35% chance of flash flooding in west-central and southwest Utah. It warned that slot canyons, dry washes and areas near burns scars have the highest risk of flooding.
Flash flooding associated with scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible through Monday. The greatest chance at seeing flash flooding is going to be in west-central and southwestern Utah. #TurnAroundDontDrown #utwx #wywx pic.twitter.com/aP8mkIKwPf
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) August 19, 2023
According to Christine Kruse, a lead meteorologist with the NWS, Utah will be impacted by Hillary in a few ways.
“First up, we are seeing rain across western Utah this morning that associated with that increasing moisture,” she said. “Later today, we are expecting some strong to severe thunderstorms across south western Utah.”
Kruse said, with time, the storms are expected to spread across northern Utah, probably overnight.
“The other part of this is we’re expecting really strong winds,” she said. “Potentially gusts up to 60 mph.”
These winds are expected from roughly north of Cedar City and into Box Elder County.
The NWS cautions those planning on recreating outdoors to monitor the weather and encouraged those driving to not go across flooded backcountry roads.
Forecasts predict strong to severe thunderstorms making their way across southwestern Utah on Sunday. The NWS said the main threats are “strong damaging winds and a very low chance of tornado potential.”
Devin Oldroyd contributed to this article.
