@chasethewxman: RARE WEATHER SETUP: TROPICAL STORM RACHEL COULD BRING SIGNIFICANT RAIN TO UTAH 🌧️ It’s not every day we see a tropical system make a run toward Utah. The latest forecast models show the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel moving into the Southwest this weekend, with the center potentially tracking near the Wasatch Front. Rachel is expected to move into northern Baja California late Saturday before accelerating northeast into the Southwest on Sunday. The system will lose its tropical characteristics as it moves inland, but it will still carry a tremendous amount of moisture into our region. Here’s what this could mean for Utah: 🌧️ Heavy rain and flash flooding: Widespread rainfall is expected across much of Utah, with some areas potentially picking up several inches through the middle of next week. Localized heavier amounts could create flash flooding concerns, especially in southern Utah, slot canyons, burn scars and areas with poor drainage. 💨 Gusty winds: Strong winds are possible as Rachel moves inland, particularly across higher terrain. Some areas could see gusts of 35–45 mph, with locally stronger winds possible. ⛈️ A prolonged storm: The tropical moisture arrives this weekend, but a larger fall storm system will help keep the unsettled weather going into next week. HOW RARE IS THIS? Utah is a long way from the Pacific Ocean, and tropical systems typically weaken or dissipate well before reaching our state. It’s unusual to have the remnants of a tropical depression or tropical storm move this far inland and deliver such a substantial surge of moisture. The combination of tropical moisture and an approaching fall storm system is what makes this setup particularly interesting from a meteorological standpoint. One important note: Rachel does NOT need to remain a tropical storm to produce significant impacts here. Even after its tropical structure falls apart, the moisture can fuel heavy rainfall, flooding and gusty winds. The exact track and rainfall totals will continue to change as we get closer. Having the center pass near the Wasatch Front is one possibility in the current model guidance, not a certainty. I’ll be watching this closely over the next several days. This has the potential to be a significant rainfall event for parts of Utah, and we’ll need to pay close attention to where the heaviest rain sets up. #utah #utahweather #tropicalstormrachel #hurricane #rachel

Chase Thomason

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Friday 09 October 2026 22:35:59 GMT