Particularly Intense Storms to Hit the Western US During the Independence Day Weekend

Storms will rage through the western United States on Independence Day. The first few days of July will bring a renewed danger of disruptive storms in the Western United States, including the possibility of flash floods in national parks expecting tourists over the holiday weekend.

Weather Over the Previous Weeks

Over the last week, the North American monsoon has been fairly active in the Southwest, and this is likely to continue into the holiday weekend. However, AccuWeather meteorologists predict that other parts of the West may have busy weather in the following days.

The amount of showers and thunderstorms across the Southwest has fallen slightly compared to earlier in the week, but this reprieve will be brief.

"Monsoon rains will intensify again across the Southwest throughout the holiday weekend after a bit of a pause in coverage around midweek," AccuWeather Meteorologist La Troy Thornton said.

Possible Weather

An increase is possible soon, particularly in southern Utah, northeastern Arizona, western Colorado, and northern New Mexico. Showers and thunderstorms may generate locally significant rainfall in Flagstaff, Arizona, and Montrose and Durango, Colorado.

Hikers and campers should be cautious of the possibility of floods. Flooding can occur even when rain is not raining in a specific region because rain from elsewhere might flow through canyons.

Last week, flash flooding washed away automobiles and trapped hikers in Capitol Reef National Park when rain suddenly filled dry river beds and piled over cliffsides and onto highways. Capitol Reef, located in central Utah, may see flash floods again in the following days due to thunderstorms.

On Friday, coverage will extend farther north, with afternoon thundershowers probable throughout much of Wyoming and perhaps far southern Montana. Rainfall from thunderstorms will be lesser than further south, but any storm could still produce deadly lightning.

On Saturday, thunderstorm activity will shift to the east of Utah, although afternoon showers and thunderstorms are still possible in eastern Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.

Meanwhile, a disturbance in the jet stream will reach the Pacific Northwest coast. On Saturday, a thunderstorm or two may form in the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon. Thunderstorms are expected to be scattered on Sunday, although areas outside the mountains may experience a passing shower or thunderstorm. No rain will occur in the towns and cities along the Interstate 5 corridor, including Portland, Oregon, and Seattle.

"The Northwest will get more rain during the long weekend as a persistent, slow-moving area of low pressure serves to focus energy waves across the region," Thornton stated.

That storm is expected to make landfall in southern British Columbia on Monday and will be near enough to provide steady rain in northern areas of Washington.

"Some of the affected areas had above-average precipitation in June, and this storm might portend a similarly wet start to July," Thornton added.

Monsoon Thunderstorms

Meanwhile, monsoon thunderstorms are expected on Independence Day over parts of Colorado, New Mexico, and eastern Arizona. Any rain or thunderstorms might disrupt any fireworks displays or outdoor gatherings planned for the occasion.

"Monsoon thunderstorms frequently linger well into the evening, and if the threat of lightning lasts longer, fireworks displays, parades, and other outdoor events may be postponed or canceled," Thornton explained.

Although the celebration is only a few days away, plans for fireworks have already been postponed in certain areas, including Phoenix, due to fire worries caused by the prolonged drought.

Dry Weather Comeback

Dry weather is expected to return to the Pacific Northwest following the holiday, while monsoon thunderstorms in the Southwest are expected to last through much of next week.

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