Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Storms to hammer Central, Eastern US with flood, wind threat Chevron right
Dangerous heat and humidity to grip the Southeast Chevron right

Columbus, OH

73°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

73°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars
Flood Warning

News / Weather News

Tropical downpours to threaten flooding amid drought in southwestern US this week

Tropical moisture is expected to converge on the southwestern United States early next week, bringing a heightened risk of flash flooding and mudslides despite ongoing drought.

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Published Sep 20, 2019 10:54 AM EDT

Copied

Tropical moisture is expected to converge on the southwestern United States early this week. Despite an ongoing drought, the heavy rain could bring a heightened risk of flash flooding and mudslides.

There is the potential for a significant, heavy rain event across the Southwest, especially Arizona, from Sunday night through Tuesday, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and western U.S. blogger Brian Thompson.

A non-tropical storm associated with a large dip in the jet stream is expected to drop southward across the West during this time frame.

Ahead of this storm, moisture will be drawn northward from the tropics. Some of this moisture will be associated with Tropical Storm Lorena, which is bringing heavy rain and strong winds to parts of western Mexico through Sunday.

This type of the setup has the potential to produce more than a month's worth of rain in a few hours. Phoenix typically receives 0.64 of an inch of rain during September, while Flagstaff, Arizona, averages over 2 inches.

An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 6 inches is forecast.

"Any non-excessive rain that were to fall on the region would be welcomed," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.

Drought conditions have grown considerably across the Southwest over the past few months due to a lack-luster monsoon season. While Arizona was free of drought during the middle of June, over 85 percent of the state is enduring moderate to severe drought, according to the latest outlook by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

AccuWeather meteorologists are concerned, however, that this event will produce too much rain in a short amount of time.

"Enough rain may fall to trigger flash flooding and debris flows, due to the arid terrain in the region," Sosnowski said.

Dry stream beds, known as arroyos, which have been dry over the past few months may suddenly fill with rushing water.

People with normal commutes or long-term travel plans across the region early next week should be mindful of the threat for flash flooding and be on the lookout for flooded and closed roads. Remember to turn around and find a safer, alternate route when floodwaters are encountered.

In addition to the risk for flooding, there is the potential for feisty thunderstorms capable of producing hail and damaging winds.

Related:

How dangerous is it for untrained bystanders to perform water rescues?
5 dangers to be aware of after a flood strikes
How extreme weather led to one of the 20th century’s most iconic photos

"While Arizona has the best chances of getting significant rain, portions of southeastern California and New Mexico could also get in on the rain," Thompson said.

The rainfall should assist fire crews battling ongoing blazes across the region and put a temporary end to the risk of new wildfire ignition.

However, on the northwestern side of the storm, building warmth and dry, gusty winds will create heightened wildfire dangers across Northern California early this week.

Even coastal communities will experience the warmth, with the San Francisco Bay Area expected to hit the 80s F during Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

"With these warm, dry conditions, any wind that kicks up with it will increase the fire danger," Thompson said. "We're now heading into prime wildfire season across California, so staying on guard is important."

podcast

Download the free AccuWeather app to stay aware of the latest forecast for your location. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.

Report a Typo
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.
Comments
Hide Comments

Weather News

Weather News

Gamer struck by lightning while streaming

Jul. 25, 2025
Weather Forecasts

Wildfire risk to escalate across western US through end of July

Jul. 27, 2025
Weather News

Dozens feared killed after plane crashes in Russia’s Far East

Jul. 24, 2025
Weather News

The day Niagara Falls ran dry: Here's what it looked like

Jul. 21, 2025
Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 16, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe thunderstorms to bring a risk for flash flooding

Jul. 21, 2025
Hurricane

Tropical development lurking in the Gulf for late July

Jul. 22, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Severe Weather

Storms to hammer central and eastern US with flood, wind threat

54 minutes ago

Weather News

Southwest Airlines jet dives as a fighter jet crosses its path near LA

1 day ago

Weather Forecasts

Cooler days ahead? Major shift coming to the Northeast

54 minutes ago

Weather News

Flash flooding hits Ruidoso again, prompts water rescues

1 day ago

Hurricane

Hawaii braces for gusty winds as Pacific tropics heat up

54 minutes ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Travel

AeroMéxico plane nearly lands on top of Delta Air Lines 737 taking off

3 days ago

Weather News

Firefighters rescue four cows from quicksand on riverbank

3 days ago

Weather News

South Korea's president proclaims disaster after 19 die in flooding

2 days ago

Weather News

Hershey says it is hiking chocolate prices

3 days ago

Weather News

‘Shark Whisperer’ swims its way into our shark obsession

4 days ago

AccuWeather Weather News Tropical downpours to threaten flooding amid drought in southwestern US this week
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...