Southwest Monsoon: Flooding Continues to Threaten Parts of Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas

Flooding due to heavy rain amid the so-called Southwest monsoon has continued to threaten the southwestern United States, particularly Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.

Meteorologists predicted that the monsoon rainfall could provide relief to the drought-stricken region, which was ravaged by several wildfires in recent months.

However, they also warned of increased risk for life-threatening flash flooding.

For weeks, dangerous flooding has already transpired in the region due to heavy rain caused by a monsoonal moisture.

In Nevada, two major flooding events struck the city of Las Vegas, submerging vehicles and multiple establishments, including casinos.

In Texas, the much-needed rainfall fell from the state due to a tropical rainstorm last weekend.

The cities of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Phoenix, Arizona are also at risk from the ongoing North American monsoon.

The latest forecasts revealed that further torrential rain is expected to continue in the mentioned locations this coming weekend or even beyond.

During this period, the rapid rise of floodwaters in low-lying areas and power outages due to damaged power lines are possible.

Since the onset of 2022, dozens of flood fatalities have been reported by the US weather authorities across the country, with flooding incidents occurring during the previous winter and spring, as well as the ongoing summer season.

A majority of the death toll were from Eastern Kentucky, where a massive mountain flooding due to a thunderstorm-driven rainfall killed at least 37 people in late July.

Flooding Storms

On Thursday, August 18, AccuWeather meteorologists have warned that the tropical moisture brought by the North American monsoon in Texas will continue beyond the upcoming weekend and until Monday, August 22.

From here, meteorologists said it will spread into the interior Southwest.

The continuance of the inclement weather is due to the potential absorption of the storm into an existing moisture over the region, enhancing precipitation across Arizona and New Mexico this weekend, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva.

Persistent Flash Flooding

The persistent flash flooding places nearly 10 million people under flood watches.

The threat is due to the expected rainfall accumulation of two to four inches across Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Utah, according to the weather report of CNN.

The US media outlet added that the increased risk of rainfall will occur in the region between Friday and Sunday, August 19 and August 21.

The National Weather Service (NWS) on Tuesday, August 16, updated its reported entitled Preliminary US Flood Fatality Statistics, which shows that a total of 73 people have died since January 2022, with the highest number of fatalities in July reaching 46.

The North American Monsoon

The surge of moisture is being fueled by the North American monsoon, a seasonal change within the atmospheric circulation.

This happens when the summer sun heats the continental land mass, according National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The heat buildup over North America will pave the way for the formation of a high pressure over the Southwest and bring moisture from the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California.