Portions of Garfield and Kane counties near Bryce Canyon National Park have been issued a flash flood warning by the National Weather Service until 5:15 p.m. Thursday.
The southeastern section of Zion National Park, including Pine Creek, Spry Canyon, Shelf Canyon and Lower Clear Creek Canyon, was also issued a flash flood warning until 5:45 p.m.
The National Weather Service also issued a warning for Sheets Gulch, Fivemile Wash, and Cottonwood Wash at Capitol Reef National park until 6:15 p.m. Thursday and another near the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument until 8:15 p.m.
There’s at least a chance that flooding at all of Utah’s national parks and national monuments will continue on both Thursday and Friday.
The flash flood warning is in effect from 11 a.m. until midnight in Capitol Reef, the surrounding area and south central Utah. There were flash floods at the park on both Tuesday and Wednesday, although there were no reports of injuries.
According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected to develop on Boulder Mountain, and may move down to “sensitive areas” and slot canyons in the park and the Escalante River basin. That could result in flash flooding in slot canyons and normally dry washes and streams.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Garfield and Wayne counties. Park goers at Bryce Canyon report seeing heavy rain and hail.
Flash floods are “expected” in both Capitol Reef and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Flooding is “probable” in Glen Canyon, Natural Bridges, Grand Gulch and the San Rafael Swell; it’s “possible” in Arches, Canyonlands and Zion.
On Friday, flash flooding is “expected” in Grand Staircase-Escalante, Natural Bridges, Grand Gulch and Zion; “probable” in Capitol Reef and Glen Canyon; and “possible” in Arches, Canyonlands and the San Rafael Swell.
Showers and thunderstorms — including some heavy rain, gusty winds and small hail — are possible in the afternoons across much of Utah through Wednesday.
There’s a 30% chance of rain in Salt Lake City on Thursday afternoon and evening. Temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid-90s through Monday, with overnight lows near 70.
There’s a 20-30% chance of rain in the St. George area through Sunday, and a slight chance on Monday. The forecast calls for highs near 100 and lows in the mid-70s through Sunday, and a bit of cooling — 94 — on Monday.
This is a developing story.
