Flash Flooding and Flood in Arizona, October 2, 2018

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
525 AM MST Tue Oct 2 2018

...Updated Aviation...

.SYNOPSIS...
Showers and isolated embedded thunderstorms are expected to continue
today, mainly east of the lower Colorado River valley before
starting to taper off from the west overnight tonight. A good chance
for showers with embedded thunderstorms is anticipated on Wednesday
as well. It is expected there may be widespread nuisance flooding
with potential for more serious, localized flooding today into
tonight. Most places will be dry Thursday and Friday before a large
low pressure system develops over the western states, resulting in
increasing chances for showers and possible thunderstorms mainly
over south-central Arizona. It will stay quite cool this weekend
into early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
At 3 am this morning, radar indicated widespread rain and rain
showers across much of Arizona, associated with tropical moisture
streaming into the area ahead of former hurricane Rosa. Most of the
showers are in the light to moderate category with very isolated
heavy pockets of rain. Most of the showers are east of the lower
Colorado River valley, and with the remnants of Rosa continuing to
be steered to the north-northeast, the heaviest bands of showers
will gradually push east and focus more and more over south central
Arizona by this afternoon. Rosa is now just a tropical depression,
and the low level circulation is expected to die out before reaching
Arizona; as such we will primarily be affected by the mid-level
circulation associated with Rosa, and the deep tropical moisture
that will persist over the area for some time. Due to the fact that
best heavy precipitation threats now appear confined to areas east
of the Colorado river, after coordination with the Las Vegas office
we have cancelled the flash flood watch for all zones west of the
river. A Flash Flood Watch will remain for the Arizona zones through
5 am on Wednesday.

Rosa's mid level circulation and the deep tropical moisture plume
will continue to be steered to the northeast today into Wednesday
ahead of a large Pacific upper low that continues to approach the
California coast. Moisture will thin but slowly and even though the
upper low is well to the west, sufficient dynamics/forcing
associated with it will be able to act on the moist atmosphere and
generate widespread showers today into tonight. POPs will remain
mostly categorical over most of southwest and south central Arizona
today into this evening with the most significant rains to affect
south-central Arizona (Phoenix north and east) this afternoon and
overnight tonight. Should we see a bit of sunshine this afternoon,
the heating will also help to destabilize things and we could see
some moderately strong thunderstorms develop; any storms that form
would be able to generate locally very heavy rains and lead to some
flash flooding. As such we do want to keep the flash flood watch
going through the morning hours on Wednesday. Look for another day
today with very cool high temperatures that will struggle to reach
into the mid 80s over the greater Phoenix area.

Since yesterday evening, rains for the most part have not been
overly heavy and flash flood warnings have not been needed. Again,
most of the current rains - and rain expected into the mid morning -
will likely stay light to moderate and this will limit the impacts
and potential flooding risk. Better chances of serious rain and
flooding may well be this afternoon and evening, especially if
thunderstorms develop over the area.

The upper Pacific low is forecast by the models to approach the
California coast Wednesday, then quickly lift northeast and swing
across Arizona Wednesday night. This will lead to continued very
unsettled conditions, with scattered to numerous showers and
isolated thunderstorms possible over much of the area east of the
Colorado river valley Wednesday into Wednesday evening. As the low
quickly moves off to the east Thursday, moisture will rapidly
decrease from the west and a drier more stable and subsident
west/southwest flow aloft will overspread the area. Given the
presence of the Pacific low as it moves across the area, high
temperatures will stay cool and in the 80s both Wednesday and
Thursday.

On Friday, a weak open wave disturbance will approach from the
northwest, but no precipitation is expected. Skies should remain
mostly sunny and high temperatures will remain below normal and
mostly in the 80s.

Operational GFS and ECMWF as well as GEFS ensemble members continue
to show good consistency in the idea that a large upper level low
pressure trof will develop over the western CONUS this weekend and
into early next week. As this occurs we can expect periodic
disturbances moving through the trof and across mainly south-central
Arizona. We will see unsettled conditions with a chance for
afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms each day along with
even cooler high temperatures. Highs in Phoenix will fall to near 80
Sunday and next Monday.

&&

.AVIATION...
South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL:
Light to moderate rain will persist across the Phoenix sites through
much of the morning hours. Occasional periods of moderate rain will
result in MVFR visibilities though the moderate rain should lift
north of the city by mid morning. While current cigs are fairly high,
upstream cigs have been in a 3K-5K ft range and these cigs should
spread into the metro as the heavier rain abates.

Cigs below 6K ft should persist through the afternoon and showers
and possibly some isold thunderstorms could develop later in the
afternoon. Upslope/foothill areas around the northern fringes of the
city may see better storm coverage, but conceivably a storm could
drift over one of the aerodrome sites. Lower cigs and some showers
could persist through the evening hours impacting operations.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:
Light showers will persist around KBLH through the morning with
drier conditions further west. Cigs will maintained in a 4-6K ft
range for much of the day with only periods where cigs scatter.
Conditions should improve substantially after sunset.

Aviation Discussion not updated for amended TAFs.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Thursday through Monday...
Most places will be dry Thursday and Friday with only very slight
chances over portions of south-central AZ. Over the weekend, rain
chances return but accumulations, if any, will be modest. Winds
will be light through Friday before breeziness, favoring westerly
directions, returns over the weekend. Humidities trend down
significantly through Friday before leveling off. However, minimum
humidities will remain above 20% for nearly all areas and
overnight recovery will remain at least good.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotters should follow standard reporting procedures.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...Flash Flood Watch through late Tuesday night for AZZ530>563.

CA...Flash Flood Watch through late Tuesday night for CAZ569.

&&

DISCUSSION...CB
AVIATION...MO
FIRE WEATHER...AJ