Soggy forecast
Heavy rain from hurricane possible here next week; flash flood watch issued
Yumans are in store for a major weather change early next week, with the National Weather Service issuing a flash flood watch for the area due to potential heavy rainfall from Hurricane Rosa.
“Right now Rosa is still spinning off Baja (Calif.) but she will be making a turn pretty much towards Arizona by the end of the weekend,” said Andrew Deemer, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix during a phone interview on Friday. “There is still some uncertainty about exactly where the remnants of this one will go, but the bottom line is there is going to be a lot of moisture pushing into Arizona and
into southeast California. It’s really going to set us up for quite a bit of potential rain starting Sunday but definitely on Monday, Tuesday and maybe a little bit more on Wednesday.”
Deemer said that the area where the center of moisture goes will have the potential for the most rainfall, though it is still unclear where that will land in Arizona, he said.
He added that Yuma can potentially see between 2 to 4 inches of rain, which is significant because Yuma typically sees around 3.56 inches of rain annually.
According to Deemer, the last time Yuma saw heavy rainfall within a relatively short period of time was when Hurricane Nora brought 3.98 inches of rain in one day, but left a total of 4.06 inches of rain over a two-day period from Sept. 24-25 in 1997.
Before that, in August of 1977, rainfall from Tropical Storm Doreen hit Yuma, leaving behind a total of 2.96 inches of rain. The University of Arizona station in the Yuma Valley recorded more than 7 inches of rain, however. Still, Deemer said that back in 1939 Yuma saw rainfall totaling at 4.2 inches over a span of two days.
It is also not uncommon for Yuma to see heavy rainfall during this time of year when it does occur, he noted.
“If we are going to see any kind of rain from a tropical storm, that’s usually the time of year where we see it,” Deemer said.
With the rain, he noted, that Yuma will also experience lower temperatures.
“One thing I think we’ll all enjoy is finally a break from these high temperatures,” Deemer said. “Sunday is still looking warm at a high around the upper 90s and maybe up to 100 (degrees). On Monday, highs are looking to be in the mid80s and it will be the same story for Tuesday. There will be a gradual warm up by Wednesday in the upper 80s and it will go back in the low 90s by Thursday and Friday.”
During the days with the potential for heavy rainfall, however, Deemer said the public should be aware that flooding can occur.
A flash flood watch has been placed by the NWS for the Yuma area from late Monday morning through late Tuesday night. The agency’s webpage shows that a flash flood watch means that flooding of washes, creeks, and other drainage areas is possible in the watch area.
The NWS notes that there is a good potential for excessive rainfall to cause localized flash flooding. Additionally, the agency reports that locations in the watch area that are most likely to experience flash flooding will be normally dry washes near higher terrain.
Those within the watch area should monitor the weather and be prepared to take immediate action should heavy rain and flooding occur or a flash warning be issued, the agency advised. Deemer notes that people should never cross a flooded road.
“We always advise to turn around. Don’t drown,” he said.