Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2017
Flash Flood Warning 68, NWS Phoenix, AZ
NWS Phoenix, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Sep 9, 2017, 12:29 AM MST for La Paz 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
- Sep 9, 2017, 12:29 AM MST (07:29 UTC)
- Expired
- Sep 9, 2017, 3:30 AM MST
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Phoenix, AZ
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County La Paz County, AZ
The radar
The Yuma radar (KYUX), 140 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:31 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
Yuma Prvg Ground, AZ (K1Y7), launched 00:00Z, 7.5 hours before the alert went out and 135 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1368 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -5 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2227 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 14 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 3 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 9 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
921 WGUS55 KPSR 090729 FFWPSR AZC012-091030- /O.NEW.KPSR.FF.W.0068.170909T0729Z-170909T1030Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED Flash Flood Warning National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 1229 AM MST SAT SEP 9 2017 The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Central La Paz County in west central Arizona... * Until 330 AM MST * At 1227 AM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to ona and one-half inches of rain has already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly. * Some locations that will experience flooding include... Quartzsite and adjacent portions of I-10. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. && LAT...LON 3380 11419 3359 11412 3355 11440 3381 11443 $$ MP
3 follow-up statements
241 WGUS75 KPSR 090833 FFSPSR Flash Flood Statement National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 133 AM MST SAT SEP 9 2017 AZC012-091030- /O.CON.KPSR.FF.W.0068.000000T0000Z-170909T1030Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ La Paz AZ- 133 AM MST SAT SEP 9 2017 ...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 AM MST FOR CENTRAL LA PAZ COUNTY... At 129 AM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms continuing to produce heavy rain across the warned area. Up to two inches of rain have already fallen. Some locations that will experience flooding include... Quartzsite...Tyson Wash...I-10...and US 95. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. && LAT...LON 3380 11419 3359 11412 3355 11440 3381 11443 $$ MP
674 WGUS75 KPSR 090935 FFSPSR Flash Flood Statement National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 235 AM MST SAT SEP 9 2017 AZC012-091030- /O.CON.KPSR.FF.W.0068.000000T0000Z-170909T1030Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ La Paz AZ- 235 AM MST SAT SEP 9 2017 ...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 AM MST FOR CENTRAL LA PAZ COUNTY... At 233 AM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms are continuing to produce heavy rain across the warned area. Up to two inches of rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is likely to continue for the next hour or so. Some locations that will experience flooding include... Quartzsite...I-10...US-95. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. && LAT...LON 3380 11419 3359 11412 3355 11440 3381 11443 $$ MP
127 WGUS75 KPSR 091023 FFSPSR Flash Flood Statement National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 323 AM MST SAT SEP 9 2017 AZC012-091032- /O.EXP.KPSR.FF.W.0068.000000T0000Z-170909T1030Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ La Paz AZ- 323 AM MST SAT SEP 9 2017 ...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR CENTRAL LA PAZ COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 330 AM MST... Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed any remaining road closures. LAT...LON 3380 11419 3359 11412 3355 11440 3381 11443 $$ MP
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 Phoenix, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Sep 8, 9:44 PM MST, 2 hours 45 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 8, 9:44 PM MST, 2 hours 45 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
944 PM MST Fri Sep 8 2017
.UPDATE...To Aviation Discussion...
&&
.SYNOPSIS...
Deep southerly flow will increase moisture levels as well as
shower and thunderstorm chances across the region through late
Saturday. Today will likely be a very active day across southeast
California and southwest Arizona with numerous storms, strong
winds, and locally heavy rains are possible. At least scattered
showers and storms will persist through Saturday with gradual
lowering of storm chances into Sunday. Drier conditions and a
warming trend will return during the early and middle parts of
next week as strong high pressure builds back over the area.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
There is greater uncertainty for Saturday as after all the
anticipated storm activity today though lingering moisture and
southerly upslope flow may support showers persisting in foothill
location north and west of the Phoenix metro. Otherwise, it seems
very likely the atmosphere will be at least somewhat overturned
and contaminated limiting storm formation later in the day. Much
of central Arizona seems most likely to experience little to no
convection during the day Saturday. The stronger southerly flow
across SE California may allow the environment to recover and
allow sufficient destabilization later in the day. Moderate CAPE
values are forecast remain in place for Saturday and as long as
enough insolation is realized, we should see at least isolated to
scattered thunderstorms Saturday afternoon/evening.
For Sunday, models forecast the closed east Pacific low to shift
further south and west, but also shifts a high center westward out
of Texas into northern Mexico. Both the ECMWF and GFS agree this
will shift winds out of the southeast bringing much drier air into
eastern Arizona Sunday morning, then progressing westward Sunday
night. Shower and thunderstorm chances for Sunday will mainly be
focused across southeast California and southwest Arizona where
moisture will still be sufficient, but PWATs are forecast to quickly
drop below 1.50" Sunday afternoon.
The drying conditions into Monday will only leave slight chances
mainly across Joshua Tree NP while temperatures bump back up to
above normal levels. The synoptic pattern for mid to late next
week brings an even drier southwesterly flow resulting in PWATs
dropping below one inch while ending chances for any rain.
Temperatures next week will start out quite warm as a strong upper
level high initially sets up over the Four Corners area. This
high should eventually break down as a Pacific trough digs
southeastward along the California coast late next week. This
mostly dry trough may help to drop our temperatures back to near
normal levels starting next Friday if it drops far enough south
into the Desert Southwest.
&&
.AVIATION...
South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL:
Rest of the overnight hours will consist of isolated to scattered
showers across the south-central AZ deserts, prompting a
continuation of at least VCSH for the terminals. Winds will
maintain easterly headings for the majority, save for some more
variable headings if any showers pass over or nearby the
terminals. BKN to OVC cigs will range 12-16kft for the most part.
Forecast soundings and hi-res models indicate a weak shortwave
will move through the area early Saturday AM, acting upon the
returned Monsoon moisture to develop slightly more organized
showers and thunderstorms possibly between 09/10-15z. Transitioned
mention to VCTS in the early Saturday AM hours.
Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:
Bulk of storm activity has wrapped for the PM, with linger light
showers around the SE CA deserts. South to southeasterly winds
will settle info for the terminals overnight. Another round of
afternoon and evening thunderstorms are possible Saturday. BKN to
OVC cigs will remain through the mid and high layers generally
14kft or above.
Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Monday through Friday...
Much drier and warmer conditions will envelop all the districts much
of next week with any storms or wetting rains relegated to higher
terrain location. With this drying trend will, minimum humidity
levels will also fall as afternoon readings into in a 15-25% range
following good overnight recovery. Winds will be rather light and
typical for the middle of September.
&&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter reports will likely be needed today and possibly on
Saturday.
&&
.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...Flash Flood Watch until midnight MST tonight for AZZ536-538>540-
542>544-546-548>551-559.
Flash Flood Watch until 5 AM MST Saturday for AZZ534-537-541-545.
Flash Flood Watch through Saturday evening for AZZ530>533.
CA...Flash Flood Watch through Saturday evening for CAZ560-561-564-
565-567>570.
&&
Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and at weather.gov/phoenix
DISCUSSION...MO/Kuhlman
AVIATION...Nolte
FIRE WEATHER...MOIn the hours before
Special weather statement, Sep 8, 6:58 PM MST, 5 hours 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 658 PM MST FRI SEP 8 2017 AZZ533-090245- Central La Paz AZ- 658 PM MST FRI SEP 8 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL LA PAZ COUNTY UNTIL 745 PM MST... At 658 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles southeast of Vicksburg Junction, or 40 miles west of Tonopah, moving north at 20 mph. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Salome, Vicksburg, Vicksburg Junction, Wenden and Harcuvar. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Locally dense blowing dust is possible. If you encounter blowing dust while driving, pull over as far off the roadway as possible and park. Turn off your headlights and keep your foot off the brake. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3350 11349 3347 11374 3383 11384 3386 11353 TIME...MOT...LOC 0158Z 175DEG 19KT 3361 11362 JR
Local storm report, Sep 8, 7:20 PM MST, 5 hours 9 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
720 PM MST FRI SEP 8 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0710 PM FLOOD 8 SE APACHE JUNCTION 33.34N 111.45W
09/08/2017 PINAL AZ AMATEUR RADIO
HAM RADIO/SPOTTER REPORTING 4 INCHES OF
WATER ON US60 BETWEEN PERALTA AND GOLD
CANYON.
&&Local storm report, Sep 8, 8:32 PM MST, 3 hours 57 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
832 PM MST FRI SEP 8 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0829 PM FLASH FLOOD 2 NE APACHE JUNCTION 33.43N 111.53W
09/08/2017 PINAL AZ LAW ENFORCEMENT
AJ POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS BARRICADES ARE
GOING UP AT TOMAHAWK AND SR 88 BECAUSE OF
FLOODING.
&&Local storm report, Sep 8, 8:46 PM MST, 3 hours 43 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
846 PM MST FRI SEP 8 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0840 PM FLASH FLOOD 1 ESE VICKSBURG JUNCTIO 33.72N 113.71W
09/08/2017 LA PAZ AZ PUBLIC
REPORTS OF FLOODING ON SR 72 AT THE US 60.
&&Special weather statement, Sep 8, 8:58 PM MST, 3 hours 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
858 PM MST FRI SEP 8 2017
AZZ533-090445-
Central La Paz AZ-
858 PM MST FRI SEP 8 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL LA PAZ COUNTY UNTIL
945 PM MST...
At 857 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles northeast of Bouse, or 22 miles southwest of Alamo Lake, moving
north at 25 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central La
Paz County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Locally dense blowing dust is possible. If you encounter blowing
dust while driving, pull over as far off the roadway as possible and
park. Turn off your headlights and keep your foot off the brake.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3423 11384 3424 11373 3421 11369 3396 11375
3397 11397 3425 11400 3425 11389 3426 11386
TIME...MOT...LOC 0357Z 183DEG 22KT 3404 11386
JRSpecial weather statement, Sep 8, 11:22 PM MST, 1 hour 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 1122 PM MST FRI SEP 8 2017 AZZ538-539-090700- Tonopah Desert AZ-Gila Bend AZ- 1122 PM MST FRI SEP 8 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR MARICOPA COUNTY UNTIL MIDNIGHT MST... At 1122 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15 miles northeast of Sentinel, or 18 miles west of Gila Bend, moving north at 40 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Tonopah. LAT...LON 3290 11288 3290 11309 3352 11320 3354 11288 TIME...MOT...LOC 0622Z 175DEG 36KT 3299 11300 MP
The office that day
Everything else NWS Phoenix, AZ issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 8, 5:12 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PSR | La Paz | 48 min |
| Sep 8, 6:16 PM MST | Special Weather Statement | PSR | 44 min | |
| Sep 8, 6:58 PM MST | Special Weather Statement | PSR | La Paz | 47 min |
| Sep 8, 7:25 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | PSR | Maricopa, Pinal | 3 hr |
| Sep 8, 7:49 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | PSR | La Paz | 3 hr |
| Sep 8, 7:54 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | PSR | Maricopa, Pinal | 3 hr |
| Sep 8, 8:00 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PSR | La Paz | 45 min |
| Sep 8, 8:09 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | PSR | La Paz | 3 hr |
| Sep 8, 8:58 PM MST | Special Weather Statement | PSR | La Paz | 47 min |
| Sep 8, 11:22 PM MST | Special Weather Statement | PSR | Maricopa | 38 min |
| Sep 9, 12:03 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | PSR | Maricopa | 3 hr |
| Sep 9, 12:13 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | PSR | La Paz | 3 hr |
| Sep 9, 12:33 AM MST | Flash Flood Watch | PSR | La Paz, Yuma | 20 hr |
| Sep 9, 12:40 AM MST | Flash Flood Warning | PSR | Maricopa | 3 hr |
| Sep 9, 12:43 AM MST | Special Weather Statement | PSR | Maricopa | 47 min |
| Sep 9, 2:15 AM MST | Flash Flood Warning | PSR | La Paz | 2 hr |
| Sep 9, 6:11 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | PSR | Maricopa | 2 hr |
| Sep 9, 8:47 AM MST | Special Weather Statement | PSR | 43 min | |
| Sep 9, 9:43 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | PSR | La Paz, Yuma | 3 hr |
| Sep 9, 10:43 AM MST | Special Weather Statement | PSR | La Paz | 47 min |
| Sep 9, 10:59 AM MST | Flash Flood Warning | PSR | La Paz, Yuma | 2 hr |
| Sep 9, 12:15 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | PSR | La Paz | 3 hr |
| Sep 9, 12:19 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | PSR | La Paz | 3 hr |
| Sep 9, 12:37 PM MST | Special Weather Statement | PSR | 38 min | |
| Sep 9, 1:14 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | PSR | La Paz | 3 hr |
| Sep 9, 1:49 PM MST | Special Weather Statement | PSR | Yuma | 41 min |
| Sep 9, 2:41 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | PSR | Yuma | 3 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, 2017Every 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.