Cooler temperatures are coming, but the flood warning remains in effect
Rain and even some snow are heading towards the state,
On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, people along 1700 South in Salt Lake City work to protect homes from the rising flow of Emigration Creek through Wasatch Hollow Park. As rapid snowmelt and possible April showers fuel fears of severe flooding in the Northern Plains, state officials are announcing flood mitigation plans, and residents are assembling thousands — if not hundreds of thousands — of sandbags to fight flooding themselves. (Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)
There was no further flooding along Emigration Creek Monday night, but a flood warning remains in effect for the area through 9 a.m. Wednesday.
The creek flow reached about 111 cubic feet per second late Monday through early Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, which is just getting into the “action phase.” The forecast for Tuesday night through Wednesday morning is for currents to rise to just over 140 cfs, which would be just above high tide level.
Because although a cold front is moving through the state, the lower temperatures are accompanied by rain and snow. The Salt Lake City area has a 60% chance of rain before 3pm Tuesday, rising to an 80% chance of rain later this afternoon and Tuesday night — possibly mixed with snow. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.
There is a winter weather warning for Wasatch Mountain through 7 p.m. Tuesday, and some areas could get 6 to 12 inches of snow.
In the Salt Lake City valleys there is a 20% chance of rain and/or snow on Wednesday night and 30 – 40% on Thursday.
While precipitation is expected to help increase water in Emigration Creek, falling temperatures will slow melting of Utah’s record snowpack. Tuesday’s high temperatures will be in the mid-50s, according to the National Weather Service; the mid to high 40s on Wednesday and Thursday; and the mid to high 50s on Friday and Saturday. Normal highs for this time of year are 62-63.
Temperatures near 70 are expected on Sunday and in lows of 70 on Monday. And overnight lows will be in the 30s through Friday and the 40s over the weekend.
Salt Lake City officials expressed confidence that Emigration Creek will be able to carry the flow Tuesday night after a large metal plate blocking the creek in Wasatch Hollow was removed. And a “mitigation channel” remains along 1700 South — sandbags remain to carry water to nearby homes without damage when the area floods.
