Tornado warnings expire in Tooele County; flood risk continues in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — A pair of tornado warnings for Tooele County have now expired, but storms continue to pass through the state that can be severe in nature.

The National Weather Service lowered its warning into a "severe wind threat" within a severe thunderstorm passing through the Tooele Valley Thursday evening.

It wasn't immediately clear if any tornadoes formed in the storm, but Tooele, Dugway, Skull Valley, Stockon and Rush Valley were all included in or near a pair of warnings. A severe thunderstorm warning remains parts of Tooele, Utah and Salt Lake counties through at least 7 p.m.

Large hail was also possible, the agency added.

The storm is from the same pattern that has created flooding concerns elsewhere in the state. Flash flood warnings were issued across multiple parts of southern Utah on Thursday, most of which have now expired.

One remains at Zion National Park, but warnings were issued in Springdale and Pine Valley in Washington County, as well as Capitol Reef National Park to the south and west of Caineville in Wayne County on Thursday.

The weather service issued a flood watch for many parts of southwest and central Utah earlier in the day, which lasts through Friday morning. Utah's rivers, creeks and streams, as well as flood-prone locations like slot canyons and low-lying terrain, are typically the biggest risks.

Recent burn scars are also a risk. More than 500,000 acres have burned this year, adding to the list of prone areas. Residents are warned to move to higher ground immediately and avoid walking or driving through floodwaters if additional flooding forms.

The watch and warnings come as monsoonal moisture continues to move into the state, increasing the probabilities for showers and thunderstorms across the state.

Some places, including Zion National Park, have already received over an inch of rain on Thursday. Eden in the Ogden Valley of northern Utah also received more than an inch from Thursday's storms.

More isolated storms are expected Thursday through Friday evening, which can be severe, said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson. While rare, Utah averages approximately two tornadoes every year.

Thursday's tornado warning came two days after the 27th anniversary of the tornado that ripped through Salt Lake City in 1999.

Flooding risks could also linger through Friday.

"We definitely have a heightened awareness for the chance of flash flooding, so please be careful," Johnson said.

Warmer and drier conditions are expected to develop by the weekend, lasting into the start of next week, he added.

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