4:30 PM Sunday Afternoon Update: Vermont Flood Alert Not Over Yet

Breaks of sun interacting with the very humid air over
Vermont is firing up torrential showers and storms
Some could easily be heavy enough to renew
flash flooding in some places.

A quick update:

Slow moving showers and thunderstorms have been developing in the tropical air this afternoon. 

The heaviest ones were beginning to move through Chittenden and Addison counties as of 4 p.m. but really, showers were scattered everywhere. 

I have particular concerns for the ones in Addison County, because that area has had some real flooding problems most recently - Thursday into Saturday. Also, they're heading toward the Green Mountains, where torrential rains on steep slopes can really get some flash floods going.

Rainfall rates in the heaviest storms could approach two inches per hour, so you can see where this is going. 

On the bright side, the storms seem to be moving, at least grudgingly, and not stalling anywhere so far, so that will help. 

There won't be a statewide flood today and tonight. But we will very likely have local, dangerous flash floods. Just because a flash flood doesn't cover a big area doesn't make it any less dangerous. See: Landslide in Ripton late Friday night that could have killed people.

Or if you need a more tragic reminder of  dangerous these flash floods can be, four people died and three are missing from such a flood in Bucks County, Pennsylvania Saturday night. The same system that is now affecting New England swept through Pennsylvania Saturday. 

Already, this morning's round of rain, with embedded downpours, did cause a few issues. Flash flood warnings were issued for a time in northern Vermont. 

At least one road was closed by high water near Morrisville. Water was over the road on a section of Route 16 in Barton. Eden was drenched by 2.25 inches of rain in just a few hours. 

The threat of flash flooding will last well into the night, even after the showers and storms taper off. It does take a little time for things to run off.

As if we didn't have enough problems.......it's baa aa-aak!  We have an air quality alert in Vermont all day tomorrow for yet more Canadian wildfire smoke. Breathe that air in the very humid air tomorrow as you clean up from flood damage. Ugh.

Stay safe.

At least the chances of more flooding on Monday is low. But all bets are off Tuesday. There could be more local issues then.