DURANGO — Monsoons have arrived in southwest Colorado, promising much-needed rain but also the potential for flash floods.
National Weather Service Grand Junction meteorologist Joe Ramey tells that there were two weak monsoon surges from late June through July, but the upcoming storms are expected to be stronger.
The seasonal monsoons are created by winds coming from the south instead of the west while winds pull water to the region from the gulfs of Mexico and California. A thermal low develops over the desert southwest, pulling in more rain.
A Monday afternoon storm brought rain, hail and lightning to Durango. It started a small wildland fire and flooded some businesses.
The forecast calls for thunderstorms in the afternoons through Friday.
