Flood watch covers Los Alamos area through midnight as storms continue
Stronger storms could drop up to an inch of rain an hour on ground soaked Thursday.
LOS ALAMOS - Flash flooding is possible through this evening across the Jemez Mountains, including Los Alamos, under a flood watch the National Weather Service updated at 4:59 a.m. Friday. The watch, from the service's Albuquerque office, runs until midnight and also covers four other zones in north central and west central New Mexico.
Forecasters said the stronger storms could produce rain at up to 1 inch per hour, and repeated rounds could bring more than 1.5 inches in some places. Ground saturated by Thursday's heavy rain could run off quickly, even in moderate rain.
Runoff could push creeks and streams out of their banks, flood low-water crossings and poor-drainage areas, and clog storm drains and ditches with debris, according to the watch. The weather service advises residents to "monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued."
The NWS forecast for Los Alamos calls for showers and thunderstorms today, a 70% chance, with a high near 62. Showers and thunderstorms are likely tonight, a 90% chance, with a quarter to half an inch of new rain possible and a low around 46.