Monsoonal thunderstorms are expected to sweep across parts of the U.S. on Wednesday, bringing heavy rainfall and raising the risk of flash floods in five states.
Why It Matters
The North American monsoon typically hits between June and September, bringing bursts of heavy rain to otherwise dry regions of the Southwest. As high-pressure systems pull moisture from the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California, thunderstorms develop—often quickly and with intense rainfall. This weather pattern can lead to flash flooding, especially in areas with burn scars from recent wildfires.
States Under Threat
According to a National Weather Service (NWS) map shared Wednesday morning, monsoonal thunderstorms will primarily impact:
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New Mexico
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Texas
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Oklahoma
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Colorado
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Wyoming
In many of these areas, flood watches have already been issued as forecasters warn of downpours producing up to 3 inches of rain per hour, especially dangerous over burn scars.
The NWS in Albuquerque noted, “Thunderstorms will be capable of producing rainfall rates of up to 3 inches an hour which could produce flash flooding and debris flows on the Ruidoso area and Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scars.”
Additional Flood Threats
Though not related to the monsoon, the NWS also warned of heavy thunderstorms affecting the Mid-Mississippi Valley on Wednesday and the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Thursday, bringing more flooding risks.
What Experts Are Saying
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David Craft, a meteorologist with the NWS in Albuquerque, told Newsweek: “We are especially concerned about our burn scars this afternoon and early evening….Some storms are capable of producing torrential rainfall at rates near 2 inches per hour, potentially over 2 inches per hour.”
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NWS Pueblo Office, in a flood watch: “Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.”
What’s Next
Most flood watches are expected to expire by Wednesday evening. However, with the monsoon season continuing through September, similar storm systems and flash flood alerts are likely to return in the coming weeks.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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