Flash flood threat increases as monsoon surge deepens

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – Happy Friday, Utah! Today will be soggier and a bit cooler than yesterday. Temperatures in the north will dip a few degrees with daytime highs maxing out in the mid to upper 80s for most, hot spots will be in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Monsoon moisture drenched parts of southern and central Utah yesterday, that moisture deepens and pushes further today with unsettled weather expected for a large chunk of the state. We’re closing out the workweek with isolated showers and thunderstorms possible on the Wasatch Front in the afternoon and evening hours, but the mountains and southwestern Utah are much more likely to see active skies. Scattered thunderstorms are expected in the southwest bringing the risk of flash flooding again.

The Weather Prediction Center has put southern, central, and most of eastern Utah under a “Marginal” threat of flooding, which indicates a 5% risk of flash flooding within any given 25 miles. The outdoor recreation areas in the south have a greater risk of flash flooding. The southernmost parks from Red Cliffs and Zion to Lake Powell and Natural Bridges have a “Probable” threat. Meanwhile, Capitol Reef, the Swell, Arches, and Canyonlands have a “Possible” threat. Ultimately, it’s not a great time to be visiting any of these areas. 

Moisture surges further north still through Saturday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms to the mountainous regions and the Wasatch Front. Southern Utah will see more isolated showers, but still enough to warrant flash flood potential. Temperatures will continue dropping in the north into the low and mid 80s through the weekend, while the south stays in the low 80s and low 90s. 

Things will begin to settle down on Sunday, but lingering moisture could still spell a few isolated thunderstorms across the state. By Monday the bulk of the moisture will be behind us, but we can’t rule out a few showers completely for some.

We’ll keep you posted on the latest updates both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!