Heavy rain and flooding from Tropical Storm Kay continue to threaten California and the desert Southwest
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Heavy rain and flash flooding will continue in parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. Fire activity in California was also reduced due to moisture following Cyclone Kay.
Tropical Storm Kay was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Saturday as it weakened and moved away from Baja California, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported .
As Kay continues to weaken, heavy rain and flash flooding, especially in areas with sensitive soil, remain a threat to parts of southern California, southern Nevada, and northwestern Arizona as the storm moves westward . eastern Pacific over the weekend, according to forecasters.
Up to 2 inches of rain could fall in some areas this weekend and flood watches have been issued for 8 million people , including residents of Las Vegas and Palm Springs.
Thunder and lightning were reported Saturday in San Luis Obispo County, on the state's central coast, the National Weather Service reported on Twitter. βThese storm cells are likely to produce short, heavy showers, gusty winds and possible lightning.β
At 5:39 observed lightning strikes associated with the cell near the Carrizo Plain Natl Monument in southern SLO Co. These storm cells will likely produce brief heavy downpours, gusty winds, and possible lightning. #SLOWeather #cawx pic.twitter.com/T92Aa3HCUg
β NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) September 11, 2022
However, increased cloudiness and moisture from Kay will ease the record heat that has plagued the West for the past two weeks , the National Weather Service said.
Fire activity in California was also reduced due to moisture following Cyclone Kay.
California's Fairview Fire, which claimed two lives after breaking out southeast of Los Angeles on Monday, was 40% contained as a result of Kay , according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire). The 28,307-acre fire is expected to be fully contained by Monday.
Even with the rains, four uncontained fires burned in Southern California on Saturday and five are burning in the northern half of the state , according to the National Center for Interagency Coordination.
The San Diego Weather Service office reminded residents that despite the rain, summer is still here and strong. High temperatures in the upper 80s are expected for much of urban Southern California on Monday and Tuesday.