Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2017

Flash Flood Warning 31, NWS Flagstaff, AZ

July 18, 2017Yavapai County, Arizona

NWS Flagstaff, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Jul 18, 2017, 5:41 PM MST for Yavapai County, Arizona. It was in force for 3 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 18, 2017, 5:41 PM MST (00:41 UTC)
Expired: Jul 18, 2017, 8:45 PM MST
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

County Yavapai County, AZ

The radar

The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:45 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 flash flood 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

Phoenix, AZ (KPSR), launched 00:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 87 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: 1393 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -61 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1792 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 4 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -22 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: -19 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

425 
WGUS55 KFGZ 190041
FFWFGZ
AZC025-190345-
/O.NEW.KFGZ.FF.W.0031.170719T0041Z-170719T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
541 PM MST TUE JUL 18 2017

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Yavapai County in west central Arizona...

* Until 845 PM MST

* At 537 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms a very large 
  area of heavy rain across the warned area, including most of 
  southeast and south central Yavapai County. Rainfall rates in 
  these thunderstorms of one to two inches in a short period of time 
  will lead to rapid runoff and flash flooding.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Cordes Junction, Bumble Bee, Cordes Lakes, Black Canyon City, 
  Castle Hot Springs, Wagoner, Cordes, Yarnell, Spring Valley, Crown 
  King, Rock Springs, Peeples Valley, Lake Pleasant, Hazlett Hollow 
  Campground, Turney Gulch Group Campground and Glen Ilah.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 17 between mile markers 242 and 275.
 State Route 89 between mile markers 258 and 282.
 State Route 71 between mile markers 102 and 109.
 State Route 69 between mile markers 263 and 265.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.

&&

LAT...LON 3430 11295 3428 11250 3435 11216 3449 11204
      3445 11174 3400 11171 3405 11216 3401 11216
      3395 11224 3393 11223 3392 11241 3400 11274
      3400 11298

$$
JJ

1 follow-up statement

591 
WGUS75 KFGZ 190344
FFSFGZ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
844 PM MST TUE JUL 18 2017

AZC025-190350-
/O.EXP.KFGZ.FF.W.0031.000000T0000Z-170719T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Yavapai-
844 PM MST TUE JUL 18 2017

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 845 PM
MST...

At 840 PM MST, National Weather Service radar indicated that 
rainfall was ending from east to west across south-central and 
southwestern Yavapai county. Higher than normal flow in area rivers, 
creeks and washes will continue to recede this evening as flood 
waters drain south toward Maricopa county. Please continue to heed 
any remaining road closures.

LAT...LON 3430 11295 3428 11250 3435 11216 3449 11204
      3445 11174 3400 11171 3405 11216 3401 11216
      3395 11224 3393 11223 3392 11241 3400 11274
      3400 11298

$$

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Flagstaff, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 18, 3:25 PM MST, 2 hours 16 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 18, 3:25 PM MST, 2 hours 16 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
325 PM MST Tue Jul 18 2017

.SYNOPSIS...Deep moisture and an area of low pressure over
western Texas moving west will bring numerous showers and
thunderstorms to northern and central Arizona through mid-week.
Heavy rainfall from the stronger storms will be capable of producing
flash flooding at least through Wednesday evening.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Very moist atmosphere and approaching easterly waves
have produced numerous showers and thunderstorms across northern
Arizona this afternoon. Heavy to very heavy rain and over an inch
diameter hail has been observed (via radar). Very active afternoon!

Deep moisture will remain over the area through Wednesday evening.
The easterly flow across Texas and New Mexico will continue to bring
instability over Arizona. Both the HRRR and NAM show the development
of an MCS over Yavapai County or northwestern Coconino County
tonight into Wednesday.

While models have some timing and location differences concerning
the actual placement of this event all operation models are leaning
towards this solution; with the higher resolution models concurring
that a mesoscale convective system is anticipated to develop and
move across the high country in the overnight hours. Current Flash
Flood Watch is out through Wednesday evening to cover this activity.

On Thursday a slight decrease in moisture aloft is expected to move
into the area allowing for a slightly less active day for convective
thunderstorm development. Some storms are still expected to form,
however they should be more widely scatter than their counterparts
from the previous few days.

This respite will not last long with models suggesting that a
reinforcing surge of moisture will move back into the area from
the New Mexico border Friday and lasting into next week.

&&

.AVIATION...For the 00Z package...SHRA/TSRA will expand in coverage
through the afternoon with widespread coverage expected through this
evening. Storms will be moving east to west with areas of MVFR and
isolated IFR in +RA. A few storms may produce severe wind and hail
mostly south and west of a KGCN to KSOW line through around 03Z.
Expect conditions to improve from east to west aft 07Z Wed. Aviation
discussion not updated for TAF amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Active monsoon conditions will continue with
scattered to numerous showers and storms each day. Convective
activity should continue overnight tonight as an upper level
disturbance moves through northern Arizona. The threat for heavy
rain will continue across all of Arizona through midweek. Expect
near average temperatures.

Friday through Sunday....An active monsoon pattern will continue
with daily chances for rain showers and thunderstorms. No
significant changes in the weather pattern are anticipated.

&&

.FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...Flash Flood Watch through
Wednesday evening FOR AZZ004>018-037>040.

&&

PUBLIC...MAS
AVIATION...MCT
FIRE WEATHER...MCT

For Northern Arizona weather information visit
weather.gov/flagstaff

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 18, 1:33 PM MST, 4 hours 8 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
133 PM MST Tue Jul 18 2017

AZZ004>018-037>040-190430-
Kaibab Plateau-Marble and Glen Canyons-Grand Canyon Country-
Coconino Plateau-Yavapai County Mountains-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward-Chinle Valley-
Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau-
Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County-
Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County-
Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County-
Western Mogollon Rim-Eastern Mogollon Rim-White Mountains-
Northern Gila County-Yavapai County Valleys and Basins-
Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons-Black Mesa Area-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264-
133 PM MST Tue Jul 18 2017

This hazardous weather outlook is for Apache...Coconino...
Northern Gila...Navajo...and Yavapai Counties in Northern
Arizona.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A flash flood watch is in effect for northern Arizona this
afternoon through Wednesday evening. Showers and thunderstorms
will develop and generally move westward. Showers and
thunderstorms are expected to continue overnight across northern
arizona.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

The flash flood watch will continue into Wednesday evening.
Models suggest a slight drying trend could be possible by later
this week depending on the movement of the high pressure ridge aloft.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is no anticipated at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 18, 12:06 PM MST, 5 hours 35 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
1206 PM MST TUE JUL 18 2017

AZZ008-037-181930-
Yavapai County Valleys and Basins-Yavapai County  Mountains-
1206 PM MST TUE JUL 18 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR YAVAPAI COUNTY UNTIL 1230 PM
MST...

At 1205 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
near Groom Creek Subdivision, or 10 miles south of Prescott Valley.
This storm was moving west around 5 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Ponderosa Park, Groom Creek Subdivision, Lower Wolf Creek Campground
and Upper Wolf Creek Group Campground.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3446 11238 3438 11243 3440 11260 3451 11253
TIME...MOT...LOC 1905Z 115DEG 4KT 3443 11244

JJ

Local storm report, Jul 18, 12:11 PM MST, 5 hours 30 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLAGSTAFF AZ
1211 PM MST TUE JUL 18 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0230 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 WNW CHINO VALLEY      34.80N 112.55W
07/17/2017                   YAVAPAI            AZ   PUBLIC

            APPROXIMATELY 230 PM MONDAY, STRONG WINDS
            TORE A 24'X72' METAL ROOF FROM A SHED. BASED
            ON A PHOTO OF THE DAMAGE, WINDS ESTIMATED AT
            ABOUT 50-55 MPH. "IT TORE THE [METAL] SHEETS
            LIKE PAPER, AND SPLIT AND BROKE THE 2X6S".

&&

DLB

Local storm report, Jul 18, 1:56 PM MST, 3 hours 45 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLAGSTAFF AZ
156 PM MST TUE JUL 18 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0845 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 NE LAKE MONTEZUMA     34.65N 111.75W
07/17/2017  E2.00 INCH       YAVAPAI            AZ   PUBLIC

            WALKER CREEK A TRIBUTARY INTO WET BEAVER
            CREEK FLASH FLOODING DUE EAST OF RIM ROCK.
            VIDEO AT 8:45 PM CONFIRMED FLOODING.
            OBSERVER ESTIMATED WATER DEPTH OF 4-5 FEET.
            RADAR INDICATED 2" RAIN FELL SOUTHEAST OF
            THIS AREA 1-1.5 HRS EARLIER.

&&

DLB

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 18, 5:08 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	FGZ	Yavapai	3 hr
Jul 18, 5:11 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	FGZ	Navajo	3 hr
Jul 18, 5:15 PM MST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	FGZ	Navajo	18 min
Jul 18, 7:06 PM MST	Special Weather Statement	FGZ		54 min
Jul 18, 8:32 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	FGZ	Coconino, Yavapai	118 min
Jul 18, 10:47 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	FGZ	Yavapai	8 hr
Jul 18, 11:24 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	FGZ	Coconino	3 hr
Jul 19, 1:28 AM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	FGZ	Coconino	3 hr
Jul 19, 11:49 AM MST	Flash Flood Warning	FGZ	Yavapai	3 hr
Jul 19, 12:05 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	FGZ	Coconino	3 hr
Jul 19, 12:50 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	FGZ	Yavapai	3 hr
Jul 19, 1:31 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	FGZ	Apache	3 hr
Jul 19, 4:43 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning	FGZ	Yavapai	3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, 2017 Every flash flood warning in 2017

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.