Severe storms have been sweeping through the Four Corners region Saturday, with flash flood advisories in effect at least through mid-afternoon.

Southeastern Utah appears to have received the brunt of the stormy weather, with reports of flooding and strong winds, and “golf-ball-sized hail” near Bluff, said Dennis Phillips, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

But the weather service also received reports of storms north of Cortez Saturday morning, and 67 mile per hour winds in Cortez Friday night, Phillips said.

Heavy rains and wind drove through downtown Cortez for a brief but intense stint around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with a few minutes of quarter-sized hail.

According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood watch remains in effect through 4 p.m. Saturday in areas including the Animas River Basin, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River, San Juan River Basin, and Southwest San Juan Mountains.

ealvero@the-journal.com