Copious moisture from tropical systems off the coast of northwest Mexico has spread northeastward into the Desert Southwest. Flooding has occurred, and will continue to develop, across Arizona, southern Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. Some of that tropical moisture is expected to reach Metro Denver this morning.
Up to five inches of rain is expected across southern Arizona and daily precipitation records have occurred from that region to Grand Junction, Colorado (including a record 0.92 inch in Las Vegas). What may seem to be rather meager totals for those of us who live in other areas of the country are not readily absorbed in desert terrain, leading to rapid runoff and flash flooding.
Fueled in part by a deep atmospheric trough over the Desert Southwest, the moisture flow will likely continue for another 48 hours and normally dry creeks and washes may become raging torrents. Hopefully, those who live along those drainage channels will heed Weather Service warnings.
