NEW YORK — The Western U.S. is bracing for more extreme weather as some regions prepare for torrential rain and others for continuing extreme heat.
Monsoon rains were forecast to continue over the deserts in the Southwest and up into the Rocky Mountains, with potential for flash flooding in Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming on Sunday.
A flood watch is in effect for more than 8 million Americans from Phoenix and Las Vegas all the way into Wyoming as that steady stream of moisture leads to flooding rain.But given the extreme drought over much of the region and how dry the soil is, it will not take much precipitation to create a flash flooding scenario, officials said.
Triple-digit temperatures are expected in states like California, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. California's central valley region is gearing up for a week of scorching conditions -- with highs expected to hit 105 or more from Tuesday through Friday, prompting an excessive heat watch for more than 7 million residents.
The heat will have a compounding effect over the megadrought that has been plaguing the region for decades, creating further breeding grounds for wildfire.Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.