Severe Thunderstorm Warning 7, NWS Phoenix, AZ

919 
WWUS55 KPSR 012226
SVSPSR

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
326 PM MST FRI JUL 1 2016

AZC013-021-012236-
/O.EXP.KPSR.SV.W.0007.000000T0000Z-160701T2230Z/
MARICOPA AZ-PINAL AZ-
326 PM MST FRI JUL 1 2016

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL MARICOPA AND
SOUTHWESTERN PINAL COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 330 PM MST...
                
THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS WEAKENED BELOW SEVERE
LIMITS...AND NO LONGER POSES AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE OR PROPERTY.
THEREFORE THE WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. HOWEVER GUSTY WINDS
AND HEAVY RAIN ARE STILL POSSIBLE WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM.

LAT...LON 3277 11250 3295 11245 3295 11214 3268 11218
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 277DEG 9KT 3284 11236 

$$

HERNANDEZ

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
145 PM MST FRI JUL 1 2016

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
A combination of lingering monsoon moisture and weak weather
disturbances moving eastward across the desert southwest will bring
chances for showers and thunderstorms tonight across sw and south-
central Arizona, and on Saturday, over the higher terrain of eastern
Arizona. A return to drier southwest flow aloft will begin to take
over starting Saturday and end any rain chances starting Sunday.
High temperatures will steadily climb into the weekend and early
next week as the atmosphere becomes drier. The dry and warm
conditions will likely last through much of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

.late this afternoon/tonight....

A bit of a break in action across our cwa this hour, with the shower
and thunderstorm activity that affected parts of South-Central AZ
this morning having moved well off to the south and east, now
extending northward from eastern Pima/Cochise counties to eastern
Gila County. The shower activity this morning is currently holding
down temperatures a bit over South-Central AZ, with Phoenix Sky
Harbor airport only up to 90 degrees at noon, under clear skies.
Further to the west, over western Maricopa and La Paz/Yuma counties,
fields of CU can be seen developing on latest visible satellite
imagery, over areas that stayed dry this morning, allowing
temperatures to rise well up into the 90s at midday. Surface
dewpoints remain elevated at most lower desert locations, well up
into the 60s to near 70. Up to the north, new thunderstorms can be
seen on radar developing over Yavapai County.

As far as the forecast for this afternoon/evening is concerned, in
spite of normally unfavorable westerly flow that is developing over
the region as an upper trof approaches the CA coast, the combination
of lingering low-level moisture and another shortwave approaching
from the northwest will likely produce another round of convective
activity across South-Central and SW AZ later this
afternoon/evening. Today's situation appears to be more like a
transition event rather then a classic monsoon case, with the GFS
forecast soundings showing 1500-2000 J/KG of CAPE (with little or no
CIN), and 25-30 knots of bulk shear over the region through this
evening. The 12Z WRFGFS, which did a good job with this morning's
convective activity, is showing shower/thunderstorm development
later this afternoon across northern La Paz and NW Maricopa
Counties, with this activity moving into the Greater Phoenix area
this evening as the shortwave trigger moves eastward across northern
AZ. Given all this available convective energy and intrusion of
drier air above 600mb, a few of the storms could become severe, with
very strong downburst winds, heavy downpours, localized flooding,
and even small hail possible. Thus, have raised POPS this evening
well up into the chance range across the lower deserts of South-
Central AZ, and into the likely range over southern Gila County.

.Saturday through next Friday...

This weekend will bring a continued drying westerly flow, but enough
lingering low level moisture should exist for some isolated eastern
Arizona high terrain afternoon showers and thunderstorms. The
possibility of any activity over the lower deserts is pretty slim
due to the westerly steering flow and PWATS dropping down to around
1.25 inches. By Sunday, enough dry air should be in place for there
to be little chance of any storms even over the high terrain.
Temperatures this weekend will be on the upswing with the drier
conditions and clear to mostly clear skies as highs climb back toward
normal readings.

Next week looks to be mostly quiet as far as any storm potential as
the upper high center generally stays to our southeast providing us
with westerly or southwesterly flow. Temperatures should peak by
Tuesday or Wednesday with some lower desert spots reaching 110F for
highs. 500mb heights do climb to around 592dm and 850mb temperatures
near 30C, but at this point it does not appear enough to hit
excessive heat levels. There is potential for a return of some
monsoonal moisture as early as Wednesday, but the past few model
runs are showing this to be a very brief episode with more dry air
quickly moving in by the end of the week. At least for now slight
chance PoPs over the high terrain for Thursday and Friday seem
warranted.

&&

.AVIATION...
South-Central Arizona Including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL:
Southeasterly flow will veer to southwesterly during the afternoon,
but wind speeds will generally remain at or below 10 kt. Meanwhile, latest
convective guidance is pointing towards an increased potential for
showers and thunderstorms across the Phoenix area later this
evening. Any storms that develop will be capable of producing strong
gusty winds and brief heavy rain. Model consensus is that the most
likely wind shift associated with the storms will be from the
northwest. Improving conditions are anticipated after 09z.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:
The active weather will generally remain east of KIPL, but may clip
KBLH this afternoon. Thunderstorms are generally not expected,
however strong storms across western AZ may produce a wind shift out
of the north or east at KBLH this evening. Otherwise, mostly clear
skies are expected with a southerly component to the flow prevailing
through early Saturday.

Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Monday through Friday: The monsoon high will rebuild across
southeastern Arizona Monday, resulting in above normal temperatures
and generally dry conditions. An increase in moisture is expected
Wednesday as the high shifts eastward. Drier westerly flow across
southeastern California will battle deeper moisture across
southeastern Arizona through the remainder of the week, with showers
and thunderstorms mainly relegated to southern and eastern Arizona.
Near normal temperatures are expected mid to late week.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not expected.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...None.
CA...None.
&&

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DISCUSSION...Percha/Kuhlman
AVIATION...Hirsch
FIRE WEATHER...Hirsch