Monsoon in the desert

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A4875X 6X 4908X 9X 2x2bUnder normal conditions, the local wash is dry and is used to exercise horses. Southwesterly airstreams have brought the usual monsoon conditions of late summer, but this year the rain has been heavier and more frequent than most years. This round of storms has brought more rain in total than the last round, but over more hours. That has meant that the wash has had time to drain the flow. On a previous occasion the rainfall was less, but also in a shorter period, so the wash ran even higher. Other factors are existing groundwater from previous storms or surfaces baked dry by the sun—it's hard for a layman to know which is worse under any given conditions—and rainfall amounts & intensities, plus surface vegetation, or lack thereof if there are burn scars from recent wildfire damage in the area.

Angelheightsfalls

Picture credits (11 Sept. 2013): (left) September Smith; (right) Dave Amodt, St. George News article

All of this is purely academic if a waterfall appears behind your house where there wasn't one the day before, or runoff makes its way down your street, across your property, or worse, through your living room. The National Weather Service flash flood severe weather warning remains in place until 17:00 hours local time today. Another burst like the one at the end of July—when the flood level in the wash was higher—would probably have serious consequences.

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Picture credit (26 Jul. 2013): Sandra Woodring Adams for St. George News article

The time now is 16:00 and despite heavy black storm clouds around, the sun is shining…

 

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