Monsoon rain arrives in Southwest as waves of storms plow across Plains
Flooding is a concern, but the rainfall will be beneficial for many cities across the region. The FOX Forecast Center said that more than 25 cities across the Southwest are currently experiencing one of their top-five driest years on record, with much of the region in severe to exceptional drought.
Monsoon rain returns after a record-dry start
FOX Weather Meteorologist Kiyana Lewis breaks down the latest updates for potential wet weather in the Southwest as some areas are in desperate need of rain amid one of the driest years on record.
PHOENIX - After a slow start to the monsoon season, flooding rain is expected to move into the Southwest this week as waves of showers and thunderstorms push through the central Plains.
The FOX Forecast Center said that as a ridge of high pressure shifted toward the Great Basin and Four Corners region over the weekend, a surge of monsoonal moisture is now pushing westward into more interior portions of the Colorado River basin.
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And as moisture levels and temperatures rise, convection will develop daily during the afternoon hours this week.
Because of that, the FOX Forecast Center said thunderstorms may become more widespread across the Southwest due to increased moisture in the atmosphere.
Watch: Intense monsoon downpour pounds Phoenix
A video recorded in Phoenix on Friday, Aug. 22, shows an intense monsoon rainstorm with lightning.
And while flooding is a concern, the rainfall will be beneficial for many cities across the region.
So far, monsoon season has been more of a "non-soon" with little to no rainfall in many locations in the Southwest.
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The FOX Forecast Center said that more than 25 cities across the Southwest are currently experiencing one of their top-five driest years on record, with much of the region in severe to exceptional drought.
It goes without saying that the region desperately needs precipitation.
Locals in Arizona were surprised by heavy rainfall on Monday evening
Some areas in the Southwest are on the receiving end of some much-needed precipitation amid one of the driest years on record.
In Arizona, for example, 100 percent of the state is experiencing some level of drought, with widespread areas in the Extreme or Exceptional categories.
Phoenix is nearly 3 inches below its average rainfall for the year, while Flagstaff is running more than 4 inches below average.
This graphic shows the Arizona drought monitor.
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With showers and thunderstorms that develop in the Southwest, rainfall rates may approach 1 to 1.5 inches per hour, leading to localized flash flooding.
Flood-prone areas, especially in canyons and burn scar areas, should remain alert to the flood threat this week.
SEE IT: MONSOON FLASH FLOODS WIPE OUT FENCE IN RUIDOSO, NEW MEXICO
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Farther to the north and east, in the central Plains and Rockies, higher rain totals are likely, with widespread rainfall totals of 3-5 inches expected.
Some areas may even exceed five inches.
The FOX Forecast Center said that the region has already experienced a deluge of rain this year and is currently running above-average in terms of rainfall totals.
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So, with the ground already saturated, training thunderstorms should significantly heighten the flash flood risk.
(FOX Weather)
Because of the threat, NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has placed the region in a level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk for various parts of the Plains and Rockies this week.