Flood in La Paz County, Arizona

A stream gauge located along Bouse Wash at Plomosa Road initially rose above Action stage around 1415MST as a result of flash flooding. The wash crested near moderate flood stage at 2150MST before eventually falling back below Action stage around 0730MST on the 3rd. No damage or injuries were reported.

A deep closed low along the California coast and broad upper level ridging centered over the southern Plains promoted deep southerly flow across the Desert Southwest. This southerly flow promoted anomalous moisture advection into the area with PWATs upwards of 1.8-2 in the Lower Colorado River Valley area. Abundant moisture combined with CAPE upwards of 1,500-2,000 J/kg and a weak shortwave embedded in the flow allowed for efficient rain-producing thunderstorms to develop heading into the early afternoon hours on the 2nd. Several rain gages recorded over an inch of rainfall with these thunderstorms across southwest Arizona while radar estimates indicated locally heavier amounts in excess of 1.5 in some areas. As a result of these thunderstorms producing very heavy rainfall amounts in a short period of time, numerous instances of flash flooding occurred, particularly in the Yuma, Quartzsite, and Bouse areas. A couple of water rescues occurred, but no injuries were reported during this event.