St. George, Utah – The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a Flood Watch for much of southern and central Utah from Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening, warning of the potential for flash flooding, rockslides, and dangerous travel conditions as tropical moisture surges northward into the state.
The watch includes popular recreation areas such as Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Glen Canyon/Lake Powell, and the San Rafael Swell, along with Cedar City, Kanab, Price, and St. George. Forecasters expect widespread rainfall with localized heavy downpours capable of producing rapid rises in slot canyons, dry washes, and burn scar regions.
According to the weather service, travel on backcountry roads—including Cottonwood Road, Hole-in-the-Rock Road, Burr Trail, and Smokey Mountain Road—could become impassable due to deep mud or washouts. Hikers and campers are urged to avoid slot canyons and low-lying areas, where flash flooding can develop suddenly and without warning.
Rainfall totals could exceed 1 to 2 inches, with locally higher amounts across canyon country and the southern mountains. Urban flooding may occur in low-lying neighborhoods of St. George and Cedar City, where poor drainage could lead to ponding.
Conditions will begin improving late Saturday night as moisture exits to the east, with cooler, drier weather expected Sunday into early next week.
