Threat of storms holds on, bringing the potential heavy rain, gusty winds, and an elevated risk for flash flooding

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) -- Happy weekend, Utah! Our weather pattern will begin to turn more active, as monsoon moisture begins to increase across the entire state.

Areas of showers and storms will develop again, especially for parts of central and southern Utah. A ridge of high pressure near the Four Corners and an upper-level low to the southwest is allowing for above-average moisture to push into the state and we see the threat of daily storms for the weekend. You can expect pop-up afternoon thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours, and these storms will potentially produce brief periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, possible microburst winds, and plenty of lightning.

Due to the slow movement of the storms, the flash flood risk will remain elevated with a "probable" ranking for flooding at all our National Parks and surrounding low lying areas in places like the San Rafael Swell, Lake Powell, Natural Bridges and Grand Staircase. Across northern Utah, the southerly wind switch is helping to bring a slight improvement when it comes to the smoke and haze across our skies!