Monsoon Storms From California to Colorado

Rain may bring firefighters in California some help over the next few days, though with thunderstorms in the forecast, new fire starts from lightning will also be possible. That's unfortunately the double-edged sword of the North American Monsoon.

An upper-level low is forecast to be pulled around the west side of the monsoonal ridge through Saturday, producing better chances for showers and thunderstorms in California and western Nevada, areas that only sporadically see monsoonal moisture. Storms are also forecast to produce heavy downpours across portions of the Four Corners.

Isolated severe storms are possible in Arizona and Colorado, with wind and hail damage expected to be the primary hazards.

Rainfall could top 0.5-1.5" across portions of the Sierra Nevada, with similar amounts possible for areas that see slow moving storms around the Great Basin and Four Corners.

These heavy downpours could produce flooding, especially in areas that have been recently burned by wildfires. Review your plan to seek higher ground in case of a flash flooding warning.