Residents in central Arizona should remain cautious as flooding may occur in the region over the next several days.
That’s according to the National Weather Service which provided flood updates on Sunday for Tonto Creek in Gila County and in the Valley along the Salt River between the Granite Reef Dam to Tempe Town Lake.
Gabriel Lojero is a meteorologist with the agency in Phoenix.
“Do not cross any areas that have water flowing through it because you don’t know how deep that water is, so it’s better to turn around and find another route," he said.
Lojero says one of the reasons for the flooding near the Salt River is the result of SRP wanting to prevent an overflow of melted snow from occurring at the dam.
The flood warnings extend throughout the course of the week, and chances for rain are strong on Wednesday.
In northern Arizona, enhanced runoff also is expected through the weekend with scattered showers and warming temperatures into the upper 40s and lower 50s in Flagstaff.
Flood warnings also are in effect in parts of southern Nevada, including along the Meadow Valley Wash in Lincoln County near the Utah line southwest of Spring Valley State Park and northeast of Pioche.
In New Mexico, rain and mountain snow is expected to continue to expand across the northern and central parts of the state. Several inches of snow is possible on peaks above 9,000 feet, the service said.
Critical fire weather conditions are likely across parts of eastern New Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley due to low humidity, gusty winds and above normal temperatures.
