Utah flooding live updates: Cooler temperatures coming, but flood warning remains in effect

There was no additional flooding along Emigration Creek on Monday night, but a flood warning remains in effect for the area through 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The creek flow hit about 111 cubic feet per second late Monday into early Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, which is barely into the “action stage.” The forecast for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning is for the flow to rise to slightly above 140 cfs, which would be just above the flood stage.

That’s because, although there a cold front heading through the state, the lower temperatures will be accompanied by rain and snow. In the Salt Lake City area, there’s a 60% chance of rain before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, rising to an 80% chance of rain — possibly mixed with snow — later in the afternoon and continuing Tuesday night. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

There’s a winter weather advisory for the Wasatch Mountain until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and some areas could get 6-12 inches of snow.

In Salt Lake City area valleys, there’s a 20% chance of rain and/or snow on Wednesday night, and a 30-40% chance on Thursday.

While the precipitation is expected to contribute to rising waters in Emigration Creek, falling temperatures will slow melting of Utah’s record snowpack. According to the National Weather Service, high temperatures will be in the mid-50s on Tuesday; the mid- to upper 40s on Wednesday and Thursday; and the mid- to upper 50s on Friday and Saturday. Normal high temperatures for this time of year are 62-63.

Temperatures near 70 are expected on Sunday, and in the lows 70s on Monday. And overnight lows will be in the 30s through Friday, and in the 40s over the weekend.

Salt Lake City officials expressed confidence that Emigration Creek will be able to carry the flow on Tuesday night because a large metal plate that was obstructing the creek in Wasatch Hollow has been removed. And a “mitigation channel” remains along 1700 South — sandbags remain to carry water without damage to nearby homes if there is any flooding in the area.

from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/bT8disF