Flagstaff, Ariz. – A Flood Watch is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening for nearly all of northern and central Arizona, as deep tropical moisture combines with an approaching low-pressure system to bring widespread, heavy rainfall, according to the National Weather Service in Flagstaff.
The watch includes the Grand Canyon, Kaibab Plateau, Prescott and Yavapai County mountains, the Mogollon Rim, Sedona, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Winslow, Holbrook, Chinle, and Tuba City. Forecasters warn that flooding of creeks, dry washes, and low-water crossings is possible, especially in canyon country and along the Mogollon Rim.
According to the weather service, runoff may quickly turn dry streambeds into torrents, making unpaved roads and crossings dangerous or impassable. Even urban areas like Flagstaff, Prescott, and Sedona could see ponding on roads and flooded underpasses during heavier downpours. The public is urged to never drive through flooded roadways and to monitor conditions closely through the weekend.
Rain chances increase sharply Thursday afternoon and peak Friday into Saturday, with 1 to 2 inches of rain likely and locally higher amounts possible in mountain terrain. The combination of saturated soils and ongoing showers may lead to rockslides and debris flows near steep slopes or recent burn scars.
Conditions will begin to dry out late Saturday night as the system exits eastward, with cooler, clearer weather returning Sunday.
