The annual summer monsoon season burst upon Utah Monday, drenching much of the state and causing flash flooding in the Richfield and Moab areas, the National Weather Service reported.
Thunderstorms were reported throughout the state, though the heaviest flooding was concentrated in central Utah. Fremont Indian State Park, south of Richfield, received .75 inches of rain in 20 minutes, flooding side canyons in the park and raising the creek level by 3 to 4 feet.About 11 p.m. Monday, heavy rains south of Moab caused water to cover the highway about a foot deep.
William J. Alder, meteorologist in charge of the Salt Lake Office of the National Weather Service, said the monsoons would likely continue throughout Tuesday.
Tuesday's temperatures were predicted to be in the mid-80s along the Wasatch Front, reaching the low 90s by Thursday.
Monday rainfall included .42 inches at Sandy, .75 inches at Alpine and .01 inches at the Salt Lake Airport.