A flash flood watch is in effect for most of western Colorado and eastern Colorado and eastern Utah, as slow moving storms could bring heavy rainfall Wednesday afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, the flash flood watch is in effect until 12 a.m. Thursday.

Thunderstorms carrying heavy rain are expected over the watch area, developing by late Wednesday morning and continuing through this evening, the NWS said.

“We are in monsoon season,” said Julie Malingowski, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. “So it is that time of year when we have a lot of available moisture in the atmosphere streamed in from the Gulf of Mexico.”

Malingowski said a flash flood watch will elevate into a flash food warning if flooding is imminent and occurring. She said meteorologists are watching satellite images and radar to identify where storms are developing throughout the region.

Malingowski said there is plenty of moisture in the atmosphere, and with afternoon heating, a significant difference in surface and atmospheric temperatures could result in powerful storms.

She said storms are anticipated to move slowly, which means a lot of rain could develop in a specific area in a very brief amount of time.

The NWS recommends avoiding slot canyons, areas downstream of burn scars and normally low-flow or dry streams and creeks where water can rise quickly, even if the storm is miles away.

Malingowski said that although the flash flood watch ends 12 a.m. Thursday, more unsettled weather, and the chance for flash floods, is expected to continue until the end of the week.

“There’s definitely a possibility of further watches being issued,” she said.

jromeo@durangoherald.com