Deep tropical moisture surges into the state with heavy rain and an increasing food risk ahead

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Happy Thursday, Utah! We will see a day of transition in Northern Utah, as wet weather has already moved in overnight and is impacting parts of southern Utah already this morning. Our SW flow returned and brought temperatures back to average, and today highs will be above average for a bulk of the Beehive State.

The SW flow has also dragged some deep, tropical moisture from what was Hurricane Priscilla into Utah. Deep moisture in place means scattered thunderstorms and showers are ahead with an increasing flood threat today and even more so for Central, Eastern and Southern Utah for Friday.

The flash flood threat for popular recreation areas in Southern Utah has gone up with a probable risk for places like Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase. Arches, Canyonlands and the San Rafael Swell have the possibility of flash floods, but this will increase to probable Friday. 

Since excessive rainfall is expected and the flood threat has increased, a “Flood Watch” has been issued for Central, Eastern and Southern Utah. The watch is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening. Heavy rain could bring flooding to low lying areas, normally dry washes, slot canyons and burn scars. 

By the weekend, as moisture surges north, our moisture potential increases and then we will combine that scenario with an upper-level low from the Pacific Northwest once again moving towards the state and sending a cold front through Utah late Saturday into Sunday.

This will bring increasing chances of rain back to the Beehive state from south to north from Friday through the weekend. Right now, the wettest period looks to be Friday night into Saturday for the southern part of Utah and Saturday once again brings peak moisture along the Wasatch Front as the cold front associated with the upper level low will move through Northern Utah late Saturday and into Sunday.

Temperatures will warm above average briefly today with a possible day in the 80s along the Wasatch Front, before easing Friday and Saturday. By Sunday, the cold front will have moved through and allow for a sharp decline in temperatures Sunday and into Monday.

This storm system could bring potential to bring solid rain totals for the valleys and healthy snow totals for the mountains again. At last check, the snow level could get down to 7500 feet. We will watch the flood risk as well, it will likely increase with deep tropical moisture in place. Stay tuned!

We’ll keep you posted on the latest developments in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!