Flood Watches Issued In 5 States Including Colorado Ahead Of Expected Heavy Rainfall

Flood watches have been issued in five states as forecasters predicted heavy rainfall to hit the Four Corners region this week. The National Weather Service (NWS) noted that heavy rainfall is expected "especially around portions of southwest Colorado on Wednesday."

In an update posted on the NWS Boulder Twitter account, the agency said the "heaviest rain" is expected to come "Wednesday evening with the largest amounts in the mountains." Up to 1.5 inches of rain is expected in affected areas in Colorado through Thursday. By Wednesday, widespread showers are expected in most areas across the northeastern part of the state.

The NWS in Phoenix also projected higher chances of rain in several areas in Arizona. The office said the areas with the highest chances of rain Wednesday are Gila Bend, Globe, and Phoenix.

In New Mexico, a Flood Watch was issued by the NWS in Albuquerque late Monday. The office warned of "strong storms" moving into the Roswell area in a social media post.

Over in Utah, the "highest threat" of flash floods is also expected Wednesday, according to the NWS in Salt Lake City. Scattered showers are expected in the state Tuesday afternoon and evening.

The NWS Alaska Region branch forecasted the heaviest rainfall to occur in the Yakutat area by Tuesday evening. Rain is expected to continue in Alaska through Wednesday evening.

The following Flood Watches have been issued for Colorado:

Flood Watch effective from Tuesday evening through Thursday evening:

• Portions of central Colorado
• Portions of south central Colorado

Flood Watch effective from Tuesday evening through Thursday evening:

• Central Colorado River Basin
• Debeque to Silt Corridor, Gore and Elk Mountains
• Flat Tops
• Upper Gunnison River Valley
• Sawatch Mountains
• West Elk Mountains
• Road and Tavaputs Plateaus

Flood Watch effective from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday evening:

• Animas River Basin
• Uncompahgre River Basin
• Four Corners/Upper Dolores River
• Grand and Battlement Mesas
• Southwest San Juan Mountains
• Grand Valley

The following Flood Watches have been issued for Arizona:

Flood Watch effective from Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening:

• Coconino Plateau
• Kaibab Plateau
• Grand Canyon Country
• Marble and Glen Canyons

Flood Watch effective from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday evening:

• Flagstaff and Tuba City
• Apache County
• Navajo County

The following Flood Watch has been issued for New Mexico:

Flood Watch effective from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening:

• Northwest Highlands
• Northwest Plateau
• Chuska Mountains
• West Central Mountains
• West Central Plateau
• Southwest Mountains

The following Flood Watches have been issued for Utah:

Flood Watch effective from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday evening:

• Canyonlands/Natural Bridges
• Arches/Grand Flat
• Abajo Mountains
• La Sal Mountains

Flood Watch effective from Tuesday evening through Thursday evening:

• Tavaputs Plateau

Flood Watch effective from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening:

• Glen Canyon Recreation Area
• Lake Powell
• Capitol Reef National Park and vicinity
• South Central Utah
• San Rafael Swell
• Western Canyonlands

The following Flood Watches have been issued for Alaska:

Flood Watch effective through late Wednesday evening:

• Copper River Basin

Flood Watch effective through late Wednesday evening:

• Southeast Prince William Sound

Flood Watch effective through late Wednesday evening:

• Northeast Prince William Sound

Residents in areas under a Flood Watch have been urged to prepare for action should flooding occur. Forecasters also said residents should stay alert should the issued Flood Watches be upgraded to Flood Warnings.