Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2012

Flash Flood Warning 75, NWS Tucson, AZ

September 10, 2012Santa Cruz County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Sep 10, 2012, 1:27 PM MST for Santa Cruz 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
Sep 10, 2012, 1:27 PM MST (20:27 UTC)
Expired
Sep 10, 2012, 3:30 PM MST
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Santa Cruz County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 35 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:28 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, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 67 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 2012-09-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 773 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Tuscon, AZ at 12:00Z on 2012-09-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 46 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
773 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-124 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1076 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
46 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
103 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

675 
WGUS55 KTWC 102027
FFWTWC
AZC023-102230-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0075.120910T2027Z-120910T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
127 PM MST MON SEP 10 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TUCSON HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ARIZONA...

* UNTIL 330 PM MST

* AT 119 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  FLASH FLOODING FROM A THUNDERSTORM OVER THE WARNED AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SONOITA AND
  PATAGONIA

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING STREAMS AND DRAINAGES...SONOITA 
CREEK...RED ROCK CANYON...HARSHAW CREEK.

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 3169 11081 3170 11058 3138 11060 3147 11079

$$

GL
4 follow-up statements
727 
WGUS75 KTWC 102055
FFSTWC

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
155 PM MST MON SEP 10 2012

AZC023-102230-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0075.000000T0000Z-120910T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SANTA CRUZ AZ-
155 PM MST MON SEP 10 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM MST FOR
EASTERN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY...

AT 147 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING OVER THE PATAGONIA 
MOUNTAINS JUST TO THE SOUTHEAST OF PATAGONIA. DOPPLER RADAR 
ESTIMATES INDICATE THAT RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES HAVE 
OCCURRED IN THIS REGION TO THE SOUTHEAST OF PATAGONIA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING STREAMS AND DRAINAGES...SONOITA 
CREEK...HARSHAW CREEK AND REDROCK CANYON.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF LOCALLY ONE TO TWO INCHES IS 
POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA.

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 3169 11081 3170 11058 3138 11060 3147 11079

$$

GL
997 
WGUS75 KTWC 102114
FFSTWC

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
214 PM MST MON SEP 10 2012

AZC023-102230-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0075.000000T0000Z-120910T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SANTA CRUZ AZ-
214 PM MST MON SEP 10 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM MST FOR
EASTERN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY...

AT 210 PM MST...A THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING WAS REPORTED 
OVER SANTA CRUZ COUNTY TO THE SOUTHEAST OF PATAGONIA. A PUBLIC 
REPORT OF 1.8 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN 45 MINUTES HAS OCCURRED WITH 
THIS STORM. IN ADDITION...RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 4 INCHES HAVE 
LOCALLY OCCURRED WITH THIS STORM OVER HARSHAW CREEK AND REDROCK 
CANYON. THIS VERY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE FLOWING DOWNSTREAM INTO 
SONOITA CREEK JUST UPSTREAM OF PATAGONIA. RESIDENTS OF SHOULD TAKE 
PROPER PRECAUTIONS FOR THE POTENTIAL OF FLASH FLOODING IN PATAGONIA. 

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PATAGONIA 
AND SONOITA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...HIGHWAYS AND UNDERPASSES. ADDITIONALLY...COUNTRY
ROADS AND FARMLANDS ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS...STREAMS AND OTHER LOW
LYING AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING.

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 3169 11081 3170 11058 3138 11060 3147 11079

$$

GL
175 
WGUS75 KTWC 102154
FFSTWC

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
254 PM MST MON SEP 10 2012

AZC023-102230-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0075.000000T0000Z-120910T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SANTA CRUZ AZ-
254 PM MST MON SEP 10 2012

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM MST FOR
EASTERN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY...

AT 246 PM MST...SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT REPORTED 
FLASH FLOODING IN HARSHAW CREEK TO THE SOUTHEAST OF PATAGONIA. THIS 
FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE DOWNSTREAM TOWARDS PATAGONIA. 
HOWEVER...IT DOES NOT APPEAR THE FLOW WILL BE STRONG ENOUGH TO 
RESULT IN FLOODING WITHIN THE TOWN OF PATAGONIA. 

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PATAGONIA 
AND SONOITA

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...COUNTRY ROADS...AS WELL AS FARMLAND ALONG THE
BANKS OF CREEKS AND STREAMS.

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 3169 11081 3170 11058 3138 11060 3147 11079

$$

GL
628 
WGUS75 KTWC 102226
FFSTWC

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
326 PM MST MON SEP 10 2012

AZC023-102235-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0075.000000T0000Z-120910T2230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SANTA CRUZ AZ-
326 PM MST MON SEP 10 2012

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 330 PM MST FOR EASTERN
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY...

HEAVY FLOWS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS REDROCK CANYON...HARSHAW CREEK AND 
SONOITA CREEK INTO THIS EVENING. HOWEVER...THE THREAT FOR FLASH 
FLOODING HAS SUBSIDED...THUS THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED 
TO EXPIRE. 


LAT...LON 3169 11081 3170 11058 3138 11060 3147 11079

$$

GL

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 9, 6:49 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCPima18 hr
Sep 9, 11:55 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima, Pinal3 hr
Sep 10, 12:46 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCPima30 hr
Sep 10, 1:37 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise, Pima, Santa Cruz3 hr
Sep 10, 2:24 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise111 min
Sep 10, 2:29 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima3 hr
Sep 10, 2:41 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima94 min
Sep 10, 3:40 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise, Graham80 min
Sep 10, 3:44 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementTWCPima46 min
Sep 10, 3:49 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementTWCPima41 min
Sep 10, 3:53 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima37 min
Sep 10, 3:54 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima2 hr
Sep 10, 4:13 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima, Santa Cruz2 hr
Sep 10, 4:24 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima36 min
Sep 10, 4:56 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCGraham, Pinal112 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, 2012Every 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.