Alert archive / Arizona / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2009

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 30, NWS Tucson, AZ

July 19, 2009Pima County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 19, 2009, 4:55 PM MST for Pima County, Arizona. It was in force for 65 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 19, 2009, 4:55 PM MST (23:55 UTC)
Expired
Jul 19, 2009, 6:00 PM MST
In force
65 min
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Pima County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 48 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:56 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Tuscon, AZ (KTUS), launched 12:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 12 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Tuscon, AZ at 12:00Z on 2009-07-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 61 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Tuscon, AZ at 12:00Z on 2009-07-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -11 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
61 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-512 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3180 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
16 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-11 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
17 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WUUS55 KTWC 192355
SVRTWC
AZC019-200100-
/O.NEW.KTWC.SV.W.0030.090719T2355Z-090720T0100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
455 PM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TUCSON HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  EAST CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ARIZONA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...TUCSON...SEVEN FALLS...

* UNTIL 600 PM MST

* AT 451 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A 
CLUSTER OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DESTRUCTIVE 
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE   
EXTENDING FROM 13 MILES NORTH OF THREE POINTS TO 7 MILES WEST OF     
TUCSON TO 5 MILES SOUTH OF CATALINA FOOTHILLS...OR ALONG A LINE      
EXTENDING FROM 12 MILES SOUTH OF MARANA TO 7 MILES WEST OF           
TUCSON. THESE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHWEST AT 5 MPH. 

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK EAST...SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK WEST...SABINO
  CANYON AND CATALINA FOOTHILLS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXPECT DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH...LARGE HAIL...FREQUENT
LIGHTNING...AND HEAVY RAIN WITH THIS STORM.

&&

LAT...LON 3234 11136 3236 11069 3203 11068 3192 11076
      3199 11132
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 231DEG 2KT 3224 11121 3225 11106
          3218 11076

$$

CS
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS55 KTWC 200008
SVSTWC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
508 PM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

AZC019-200100-
/O.CON.KTWC.SV.W.0030.000000T0000Z-090720T0100Z/
PIMA AZ-
508 PM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM MST
FOR EAST CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY...

AT 503 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A CLUSTER OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED
ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK WEST TO TUCSON
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE...OR ALONG A
LINE EXTENDING FROM 14 MILES SOUTH OF MARANA TO 7 MILES SOUTH OF 
TUCSON TO 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF TUCSON. THESE STORMS WERE MOVING 
NORTHWEST AT 5 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL MOVE OVER THE TUCSON METRO 
AREA OVER THE NEXT HOUR...EXPECT STRONG AND DAMAGING WINDS WITH 
THESE STORMS. A DUST STORM WITH VISIBILITIES NEAR ZERO WILL ALSO 
OCCUR WITH THE STORMS.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SOUTH
TUCSON...SEVEN FALLS...SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK EAST...SABINO CANYON AND
CATALINA FOOTHILLS

LAT...LON 3234 11136 3236 11069 3203 11068 3192 11076
      3199 11132
TIME...MOT...LOC 0004Z 231DEG 2KT 3222 11125 3213 11096
          3219 11084

$$

SHOEMAKER
000 
WWUS55 KTWC 200035
SVSTWC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
535 PM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

AZC019-200100-
/O.CON.KTWC.SV.W.0030.000000T0000Z-090720T0100Z/
PIMA AZ-
535 PM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM MST
FOR EAST CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY...

AT 533 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED
ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM RYAN FIELD TO TUCSON TO CATALINA
FOOTHILLS...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF 
TUCSON TO TUCSON. THESE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHWEST AT 5 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO VAIL...
TUCSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...SOUTH TUCSON...SEVEN FALLS...
SAHUARITA...SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK EAST...SABINO CANYON...RITA
RANCH...DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE AND CORONA DE TUCSON

LAT...LON 3234 11136 3236 11069 3203 11068 3192 11076
      3199 11132
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 231DEG 2KT 3207 11112 3223 11096
          3230 11092

$$

CS
000 
WWUS55 KTWC 200055
SVSTWC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
555 PM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

AZC019-200103-
/O.EXP.KTWC.SV.W.0030.000000T0000Z-090720T0100Z/
PIMA AZ-
555 PM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY WILL
EXPIRE AT 600 PM MST...

THE THUNDERSTORMS HAVE WEAKENED...ALTHOUGH WINDS WILL STILL GUST UP 
TO 40 MPH THROUGH 7 PM.

LAT...LON 3234 11136 3236 11069 3203 11068 3192 11076
      3199 11132
TIME...MOT...LOC 0053Z 231DEG 2KT 3208 11111 3224 11095
          3231 11091

$$

CS

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Tucson, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 19, 1:31 PM MST, 3 hours 24 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 19, 1:31 PM MST, 3 hours 24 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
130 PM MST SUN JULY 19 2009

.SYNOPSIS...STRONG HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT WILL BRING HOT CONDITIONS TO
SOUTHEAST ARIZONA THROUGH AT LEAST THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK. MOISTURE
WILL ALSO BE SUFFICIENT FOR THE DAILY CYCLE OF SCATTERED MAINLY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

&&

.DISCUSSION...KEMX WSR-88D DETECTED ISOLATED 35-55 DBZ CELLS NEAR
THE CATALINA MOUNTAINS AS WELL AS FAR SRN PIMA COUNTY AND WRN SANTA
CRUZ COUNTY AT 2025Z. OTHER CELLS WERE JUST NE OF HANNAGAN MEADOW.
VISIBLE SATELLITE IMAGERY INDICATED CUMULOFORM CLOUDS DEVELOPING
ACROSS THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF THE FORECAST AREA. HAVE OPTED TO
MAINTAIN THE SCENARIO OF ISOLATED-SCATTERED SHOWERS AND TSTMS THE
REST OF THIS AFTERNOON AND INTO THIS EVENING. THE CONCERN WITH ANY
THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCALIZED STRONG/GUSTY WINDS
PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE FAIRLY DRY SURFACE ENVIRONMENT. FOR INSTANCE
KTUS DEWPOINT WAS 45 F AT 2020Z. BULK OF ACTIVITY EXPECTED TO END
AROUND MIDNIGHT OR SO.

SYNOPTIC-SCALE PATTERN PROGGED TO EXHIBIT ONLY VERY MINOR CHANGES
THIS WEEK AS HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT TO REMAIN CENTERED OVER THE SWRN
CONUS. THUS MONSOON MOISTURE TO CONTINUE ACROSS THE AREA. BASED ON
19/12Z GFS/ECMWF SOLUTIONS...DIFFICULT TO DISCERN FEATURES WITHIN
THE FLOW THAT WOULD SIGNIFY A MORE-PRONOUNCED CONVECTIVELY-ACTIVE
DAY FROM ANOTHER. SO WILL CONTINUE TO DEPICT EITHER A SLIGHT CHANCE
OR LOW-END CHANCE-CATEGORY POPS DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING
PERIODS. DAYTIME HIGH TEMPS DURING MUCH OF THIS FORECAST PERIOD TO
BE ABOUT 5-10 DEGS ABOVE NORMAL.

&&

.AVIATION...EXPECT ISOLATED TO SCATTERED TSRA/SHRA THE REST OF THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE STRONGEST TSRA WILL BE ACCOMPANIED WITH
WIND GUSTS OF 40-45 KTS. OTHERWISE...SCATTERED TO BROKEN CUMULOFORM
CLOUDS WITH BASES 11-13K FT AGL. TSRA/SHRA TO DECREASE IN COVERAGE
AFTER 04Z AND ANY CONVECTIVE CLOUD DEBRIS TO DISSIPATE LATE TONIGHT.
SURFACE WINDS SWLY/WLY 5-15 KTS THRU 06Z THEN SLY/SELY 5-15 KTS LATE
TONIGHT AND INTO MONDAY MORNING. AVIATION DISCUSSION NOT UPDATED FOR
TAF AMENDMENTS.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL OCCUR THIS
WEEK...WITH THE BULK OF ACTIVITY DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY
NIGHTTIME HOURS. SURFACE WINDS GENERALLY FROM THE SOUTHWEST AND WEST
THE REST OF THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING...THEN A DIURNALLY
DRIVEN WIND REGIME ON TAP MONDAY INTO WEDNESDAY.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE.

BF

WEATHER.GOV/TUCSON
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 19, 9:30 AM MST, 7 hours 25 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
930 AM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

AZZ019-030-034-035-201200-
NORTHERN GREENLEE COUNTY-UPPER GILA RIVER VALLEY-
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY-COCHISE COUNTY-
930 AM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
ARIZONA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

EXPECT ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE
AREA INTO THIS EVENING. THE STRONGEST STORMS MAY PRODUCE BRIEF
HEAVY RAIN AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH. THE BULK OF THE ACTIVITY
IS FORECAST TO END BY AROUND MIDNIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

THE DAILY CYCLE OF ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
IS EXPECTED MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...MAINLY DURING THE AFTERNOON
AND EARLY NIGHTTIME HOURS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

AZZ029-031>033-201200-
SOUTHEAST PINAL COUNTY-WESTERN PIMA COUNTY-TOHONO OODHAM NATION-
TUCSON METRO/MARANA/GREEN VALLEY-
930 AM MST SUN JUL 19 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
ARIZONA AND SOUTHEAST ARIZONA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

EXPECT ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE
AREA INTO THIS EVENING. THE STRONGEST STORMS MAY PRODUCE BRIEF
HEAVY RAIN...WIND GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH...AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES
DUE TO BLOWING DUST. THE BULK OF THE ACTIVITY IS FORECAST TO END
BY AROUND MIDNIGHT. ALSO...NEAR RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE ON
TAP THIS AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEAST PINAL AND PIMA COUNTIES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

THE DAILY CYCLE OF ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
IS EXPECTED MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...MAINLY DURING THE AFTERNOON
AND EARLY NIGHTTIME HOURS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WEATHER.GOV/TUCSON

The office that day

Everything else NWS Tucson, AZ issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 19, 4:28 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima47 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Arizona, 2009Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2009

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.