Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2012

Flash Flood Warning 2, NWS Tucson, AZ

July 4, 2012Pima County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Jul 4, 2012, 12:59 PM MST for Pima County, Arizona. It was in force for 2 hr. 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 4, 2012, 12:59 PM MST (19:59 UTC)
Expired: Jul 4, 2012, 3:00 PM MST
In force: 2 hr
Issued by: NWS Tucson, AZ
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

County Pima County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:59 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Tuscon, AZ (KTUS), launched 12:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 30 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 613 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -63 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 876 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 12 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 33 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 40 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.

052 
WGUS55 KTWC 041959
FFWTWC
AZC019-042100-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0002.120704T1959Z-120704T2100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
1259 PM MST WED JUL 4 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TUCSON HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN PIMA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ARIZONA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF ORO VALLEY...

* UNTIL 200 PM MST

* AT 1256 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  A STRONG THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAINFALL IN THE ORO 
  VALLEY AND CASAS ADOBES AREA. THE THUNDERSTORM WAS NEARLY 
  STATIONARY. 

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO DOVE
  MOUNTAIN AND CATALINA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY
AUTOMOBILE.

&&

LAT...LON 3251 11115 3251 11091 3234 11087 3231 11100
      3233 11110

$$
ZELL

4 follow-up statements

565 
WGUS75 KTWC 042032
FFSTWC

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
132 PM MST WED JUL 4 2012

AZC019-042100-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120704T2100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PIMA AZ-
132 PM MST WED JUL 4 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM MST FOR
NORTHEASTERN PIMA COUNTY...

AT 128 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING OVER THE WARNED 
AREA. SPOTTER REPORTS FROM THE ORO VALLEY AREA RANGED BETWEEN ONE 
AND TWO INCHES OF RAINFALL IN THE LAST 30 MINUTES. AN AUTOMATED GAGE 
AT MOORE ROAD AND LA CHOLLA INDICATED OVER 3 INCHES OF RAINFALL FROM 
THIS THUNDERSTORM. THE THUNDERSTORM SHOWED LITTLE MOVEMENT.   

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ORO VALLEY

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY
AUTOMOBILE.

&&

LAT...LON 3251 11115 3251 11091 3234 11087 3231 11100
      3233 11110

$$
ZELL

348 
WGUS55 KTWC 042058
FFWTWC
AZC019-042200-
/O.EXT.KTWC.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120704T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
158 PM MST WED JUL 4 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TUCSON HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN PIMA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ARIZONA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF ORO VALLEY...

* UNTIL 300 PM MST

* AT 146 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED
  TO INDICATE RAINFALL IN THE ORO VALLEY AREA FROM AN AREA OF 
  THUNDERSTORMS. ALTHOUGH THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE BEGINNING TO MOVE
  NORTH OF THE WARNING AREA...VERY HEAVY RAINFALL FROM THESE STORMS
  WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE FLASH FLOODING. AN AUTOMATED RAINFALL
  GAGE AT MOORE ROAD AND LA CHOLLA INDICATED 3.15 INCHES OF RAINFALL
  IN THE LAST HOUR. 

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO DOVE
  MOUNTAIN...CATALINA STATE PARK AND CATALINA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY
AUTOMOBILE.

&&

LAT...LON 3251 11115 3251 11091 3234 11087 3231 11100
      3233 11110

$$
ZELL

588 
WGUS75 KTWC 042135
FFSTWC

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
235 PM MST WED JUL 4 2012

AZC019-042200-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120704T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PIMA AZ-
235 PM MST WED JUL 4 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM MST FOR
NORTHEASTERN PIMA COUNTY...

AT 232 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED THAT MUCH 
OF THE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY HAD MOVED NORTH INTO PINAL COUNTY. 
HOWEVER...VERY HEAVY RAINFALL EARLIER IN THE WARNING AREA CONTINUES 
TO PRODUCE FLASH FLOODING PROBLEMS IN THE ORO VALLEY AREA. SPOTTER 
REPORTS FROM ORO VALLEY INDICATE BETWEEN 2 AND 3 INCHES OF RAINFALL 
OCCURRED IN A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR IN THE WARNING AREA. ADDITIONAL 
RAINFALL MAY MOVE OVER THE SAME AREA IN THE NEXT 20 MINUTES OR 
SO...WHICH MAY CREATE ADDITIONAL FLOODING PROBLEMS.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ORO VALLEY

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO
AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. FLOOD WATERS ARE USUALLY
DEEPER THAN THEY APPEAR. JUST ONE FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL
ENOUGH TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED
ROADS MAKE THE SMART CHOICE...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

&&

LAT...LON 3251 11115 3251 11091 3234 11087 3231 11100
      3233 11110

$$
ZELL

207 
WGUS75 KTWC 042203
FFSTWC

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
303 PM MST WED JUL 4 2012

AZC019-042208-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-120704T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
PIMA AZ-
303 PM MST WED JUL 4 2012

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING EXPIRED AT 300 PM MST FOR NORTHEASTERN 
PIMA COUNTY...

AT 300 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED THAT MUCH 
OF HEAVY RAINFALL HAD ENDED IN THE ORO VALLEY AREA...ALTHOUGH LIGHT 
TO MODERATE RAINFALL CONTINUES. THEREFORE...THE THREAT OF FLASH 
FLOODING HAS SUBSIDED...AND THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED 
TO EXPIRE AT 300 PM MST.

THIS AREA IS NOW COVERED BY AN URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY 
UNTIL 545 PM MST. 

SIGNIFICANT PONDING OF WATER IS STILL LIKELY IN ROADWAY DIPS AND 
OTHER LOW LYING AREAS. MOTORISTS SHOULD USE CAUTION AND NEVER 
ATTEMPT TO CROSS THROUGH A WASH FILLED WITH RUNNING WATER OF UNKNOWN 
DEPTH.


LAT...LON 3251 11115 3251 11091 3234 11087 3231 11100
      3233 11110

$$
ZELL

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 3, 8:21 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Cochise	3 hr
Jul 3, 9:14 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	TWC	Cochise	2 hr
Jul 3, 9:25 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	3 hr
Jul 3, 10:02 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Santa Cruz	3 hr
Jul 3, 10:15 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	3 hr
Jul 4, 12:00 AM MST	Flash Flood Watch	TWC	Cochise, Graham, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz	17 hr
Jul 4, 12:59 AM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz	2 hr
Jul 4, 10:00 AM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pinal	3 hr
Jul 4, 10:48 AM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	12 min
Jul 4, 10:58 AM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	82 min
Jul 4, 12:16 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	3 hr
Jul 4, 12:48 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	117 min
Jul 4, 1:32 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	TWC	Pima	118 min
Jul 4, 1:45 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	TWC	Pima	111 min
Jul 4, 2:24 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	TWC	Pinal	3 hr
Jul 4, 2:55 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz	3 hr
Jul 4, 4:11 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Graham, Greenlee	3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, 2012 Every flash flood warning in 2012

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.