Flash Flood Watch 3, NWS Phoenix, AZ

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
202 PM MST Thu Aug 9 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
A shift towards a more favorable easterly flow aloft along with
an increase in available moisture is expected to lead to a more
active monsoon pattern through the upcoming weekend. Today looks
likely to be the most active day weatherwise, with the potential
for thunderstorms to approach severe limits, with very strong
winds, areas of blowing dust, and locally heavy rain possible.
This increase in moisture will keep temperatures below normal
through the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
So far, today is shaping up to be another very active monsoon
evening as we have the three key ingredients for thunderstorms:
moisture, instability and lift. Surface dew points are ripe in the
upper 60's across lower desert locations and in the mid 50's over
the high terrain. The Phoenix morning sounding indicated
precipitable water value of 1.69 inches, but this will likely
increase somewhat by the afternoon as a result of a few subsequent
moisture surges. There is also a rich amount of moisture from the
surface to the 700 mb level...all of which is sufficient for
storms. As for instability, the 12z sounding indicated over 1000
j/kg MUCAPE while model soundings and ensembles for this afternoon
suggest MLCAPE values upwards of 1500 j/kg. Additionally, the
cloud clearing since this morning should be enough to destabilize
the atmosphere and tap into that energy. Storms will initially
develop over southern Arizona near the international border and
north and east along the Rim and High Country.

Given the amount of instability, decent shear and steep lapse
rates, the potential for damaging storms exists. The
thunderstorms that do initiate along the Rim and High Country will
propagate towards the southwest given the strong easterly
steering flow of 20-30 kts. DCAPE values will be in the 1000-1500
j/kg range, and possibly even higher across western Arizona, which
will support strong wind gusts and outflow prorogation. Guidance
generally indicates a line of storms pushing southward and
stretching from La Paz County through Gila County, including the
Phoenix area, this evening after 5 PM local. However, the
possibility of colliding outflows may put locations west of
Phoenix under the gun late in the evening for the most intense
storms. The primary concern with any storm will be damaging winds
and potential flooding.

Furthermore, blowing dust will continue to be an issue for many
locations. Guidance has been consistent showing strong outflow
winds from storm development in southern Arizona pushing
northwest towards Phoenix and western Arizona. The boundary will
likely be strong enough to create blowing dust problems for many
areas along the Interstate 10 and 8 corridors. As such,
coordinated with TWC to issue a blowing dust advisory (watch) to
highlight the dust threat between Phoenix and Tucson. However,
blowing dust may also become an issue for portions of western
Arizona and Southeast California later this evening.

&&

.PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...

In the latest NHC public advisory, the center of Hurricane John
was located almost 300 miles west of the southern tip of Baja
California and was moving to the northwest. Although Hurricane
John continues to weaken and move away from the CONUS, it
continues to provide us with decent moisture surges. The center of
the 500 mb high will also push further north today, putting our
region under deep easterly flow and thus allowing return flow and
monsoon moisture to continue to overspread the region. At the 250
mb level, a weak westerly jet will still exist between a high over
the four corners and a low in northern Mexico, placing northern
Arizona under an area of upper-level divergence.

Depending on how active things turn out today, Friday and
possibly Saturday will likely be a bit less active due to the
atmosphere being worked over by today's storm activity. However,
the activity is still expected to remain at above-average levels,
with the main threat being locally heavy rain/flash flooding due
to slower storm motion and ample available moisture.

A reduction in convective activity looks possible from Sunday
into early next week as somewhat drier air is imported into the
region, with temperatures perhaps warming up a bit as well.
flooding.

&&

.AVIATION...
South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL:

A very active evening is expected at the terminals today as
strong upper level easterly flow will likely drive mountain
thunderstorms into the valley. TAFs currently indicated gusts to
30 kts but could easily be much higher (50+ kts) if a strong
thunderstorm moves directly overhead. Expecting outflows to make
it to the terminals around 02Z, with precipitation following
shortly thereafter. However, some models show storms holding off
until much later (03-05Z) so there is low confidence in timing.
Another concern is dust but not confident enough to include
it in the TAFs for now but may need to be added if storms are
strong enough.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:

Models indicate a chance of thunderstorms and outflows making it
to the terminals late tonight, mainly for Blythe. If this does
come to fruition, would expect strong east to northeast winds
around 03-04Z for Blythe and around 05-07Z for Imperial if storms
hold together that far southwest. For now, this is only reflected
in the KBLH TAF where confidence is higher. Finally, blowing dust
and reduced visibilities will also be of concern but have no
mention of that for now as confidence is low.

Aviation Discussion not updated for amended TAFs.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Sunday through Thursday: Monsoon moisture and precipitation
chances are forecast to decrease Sunday through Tuesday. During
this period, expecting storms to be relegated to the higher
terrain with only a remote chance of lower elevation storms.
Consequently, temperatures will be near to slightly above average
while afternoon humidity minimums drop between 15-20 percent for
the lower elevations. Apart from this, winds will be light with
the typical afternoon b

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter reports may be needed later this week.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...Blowing Dust Advisory until 10 PM MST this evening for AZZ548-
     550-551-553>555-559.

CA...None.
&&

DISCUSSION...Deemer
PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...Hernandez
AVIATION...Wilson
FIRE WEATHER...Wilson