SALT LAKE CITY — Flash Flood Warnings and Watches have been issued as unrelenting summer storms continue Utah, with the entire state possibly receiving rain Thursday afternoon.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Garfield and Wayne counties, which includes portions of Capital Reef National Park. The warning is in effect until 7:15 p.m.
State Road 24 through Capital Reef has been closed due to flooding.
A separate warning has been put in place for Moab until 6 p.m.
The Utah Highway Patrol reported some flooding on Interstate 70 in the Price area at mile markers 99 and 103, as well as near Hanksville at mile marker 151.
Video below shows massive traffic delays near Moab (Afton Chatwin):
Both directions of US-191 at the entrance to Arches National Park are down to one lane due to a landslide. The road is estimated to reopen at 7 p.m.
Flash Flood Warning including Emery County, UT, Garfield County, UT, San Juan County, UT, Wayne County, UT until 9:45 PM MDT pic.twitter.com/WVs6pMhFd2
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) June 27, 2024
The National Weather Service reported that areas with the largest flooding risk include many national parks and monuments.
Experts recommended, as always when flash flooding is a risk, that visitors avoid slot canyons, normally dry washes and areas near recent burn scars.
Strong, gusty winds will be the "primary threat" of Thursday's storms, but Utah could also see hail, heavy rain and frequent lightning, experts state.
As the storm started moving through Utah shorts before noon on Thursday, NWS put special weather statements in place along the Utah-Arizona border, reporting penny-sized hail and 55 mph winds.
While the strongest storms will be over eastern Utah, the entire state could see thunderstorms rolling in by Thursday afternoon.
Experts said rain, wind and thunder could approach even areas of northern Utah and they warned that residents should be on high alert as storms can escalate quickly.
After Thursday's storm passes, Friday will dry out and Utah will see slightly cooler temperatures.
The break from the heat won't last long as hot temperatures and extremely sunny days are forecasted through the weekend.
