Severe El Niño rainstorms are set to hit the Southwest US this weekend, bringing golf ball-sized hail, up to four inches of rain, and a risk of deadly flooding.
Storms to bring heavy rain and hail
Severe rainstorms are heading towards the Southwest this weekend as the latest consequences of El Niño, with these storms potentially bringing deadly flooding and destruction to communities throughout the region.
The storms are anticipated to carry tropical moisture, delivering 4 inches of rainfall along with hail the size of golf balls. Precipitation has been especially heavy in the Four Corners, where Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico converge, this week.
Possible break and intensification
Weather forecasters suggest there's a possibility the Southwest might experience a break from storms early next week, although conditions could intensify once more approaching the weekend. Notably, in elevated areas of the region, the powerful storms delivered much-needed snowfall to prepare for the forthcoming intense El Niño period.
El Niño's broader impacts
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that causes the surface waters of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean to become unusually warm. Normally, strong east-to-west trade winds push warm surface water toward Asia and Australia. During El Niño, these trade winds weaken or even reverse direction.
Different parts of the world experience different effects of El Niño. For instance, regions such as Australia, Indonesia, and parts of South Asia often experience severe drought and elevated wildfire risk. Meanwhile, parts of the Americas and coastal South America often see heavy rainfall, floods, and storms.
Deaths and rescues reported
At least two deaths were reported in New Mexico amid the ongoing flooding. Isabelle Beulaygue, 39, was swept away while attempting to cross a flooded arroyo in a vehicle on Saturday in Santa Fe, authorities said.
About 50 miles south in Socorro County, 64-year-old Grace Clark was swept away as floodwaters rose and trapped residents in their homes. Valencia County Fire Chief Matthew Propp said nine other people were rescued as teams worked overnight to find residents.
Hundreds of homes were evacuated last week after days of heavy rain caused water to surge from the Colorado mountains into the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona. Even as the San Juan River and other streams receded from record highs, more storms rumbled through, prompting local officials to warn of further surges.
The flooding affected some 2,000 people in and around the city of 46,000 not far from Four Corners, the meeting point of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. At least a couple hundred people needed rescue, since rains picked up Wednesday and flooding culminated last Thursday and Friday.
