Another flash flood watch has been issued for much of western Colorado and eastern Utah as thunderstorms with heavy rain are expected to develop Thursday afternoon and last until the evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, the flash flood watch remains in effect from noon to midnight Thursday.
During that time, the NWS warns that slow-moving storms may drop heavy rainfall, bringing the potential for flash floods. A flash flood watch will elevate to a flash flood warning if flooding is imminent and/or occurring.
A flash flood watch was also in effect Wednesday, but no areas in Montezuma or La Plata counties were elevated to a flash flood warning, said meteorologist Jim Pringle.
Pringle said a flash flood warning was issued for an area southwest of Towaoc about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, but the NWS has been unable to confirm the conditions on the ground.
“We haven’t been able to reach anyone that can actually tell us what happened last night,” Pringle said.
John Trocheck, public safety officer with the Towaoc Fire Department, said no floods were reported in the area.
Pringle said the same threat of flash floods exist Thursday, and that meteorologist are constantly monitoring weather models so that warnings can be issued right away.
“We’ll keep monitoring it and see what happens,” Pringle said. “Some places may get some heavy rain, some places may end up with nothing.”
The NWS recommends avoiding slot canyons, areas downstream of burn scars and normally low-flow or dry streams and creeks where water can rise quickly, even if the storm is miles away.
The National Weather Service’s forecast for Thursday through Sunday calls for a 30-60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with high temperatures in the mid-80s, and lows in the upper 50s.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
