Gusty storms to threaten southwestern US with localized flooding

November 4,2016; 11:05P,EDT

 

 

Parts of the southwestern United States will have rounds of potentially flooding rain into Saturday night.
"A storm swirling over the Southwest will send a stream of moisture into West Texas and New Mexico into Saturday night," AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff said.

Localized flash flooding can be expected throughout much of southern New Mexico as conditions favorable for thunderstorm development expand westward.
"Areas under the most persistent downpours could quickly pick up an inch or two of rain in a short amount of time," Duff said.
This could lead to localized flash flooding.
While most areas will receive a "beneficial soaking rain," Duff said, "small streams and dry washes (arroyos) could quickly spill over their banks and flood neighboring roads and lands."
Motorists should avoid driving through flooded roadways and be cautious of washed-out roads.
Midland, Texas; and Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, are some of the cities that could be affected by several rounds of rain over the next few days.
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Flooding will not be the lone threat from this storm.
"A few of the thunderstorms that pop up across the region could be strong, with hail and gusty winds being the primary threat," Duff said.
Even in the absence of thunderstorms, wind could gusts upwards of 40 mph. Winds this strong can kick up dust and drastically reduce visibility on the roadway.
While showers and storms are forecast to continue, the threat of flooding rainfall is expected to diminish greatly into Sunday.
Dry weather is anticipated to return for much of the Southwest by Sunday, although wet weather will shift farther eastward in Texas through the upcoming week.
This story was written by AccuWeather Meteorologist Faith Eherts.