Tornado warning issued in Tooele County; flood warnings in southern Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — A tornado warning has been issued in east-central Tooele County, as storms continue to pass through the state.

"A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Skull Valley, or 9 miles north of Dugway English Village, moving northeast at 50 mph," the National Weather Service wrote in its warning, which expires at 6 p.m.

Communities like Dugway and Skull Valley were included in or near the alert. Hail up to 2 inches in diameter 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, including in Springdale and Pine Valley in Washington County.

The warnings, which cover large sections of Zion National Park and Capitol Reef National Park to the south and west of Caineville in Wayne County, are scheduled to remain in effect until 6:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Additional areas in Kane County south of U.S. 89 to the west of Big Water are under flood warnings until 6:30 p.m. Pine Valley in Washington County is also under flood warnings until 6:30 p.m.

Residents are warned to move to higher ground immediately and avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.

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.

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.

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

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