Alert archive / Arizona / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2019

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 99, NWS Tucson, AZ

September 2, 2019Pima County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 2, 2019, 7:12 PM MST for Pima County, Arizona. It was in force for 48 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Sep 2, 2019, 7:12 PM MST (02:12 UTC)
Expired
Sep 2, 2019, 8:00 PM MST
In force
48 min
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Pima County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 112 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:12 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.

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Tucson, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Sep 2, 2:50 PM MST, 4 hours 22 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 2, 2:50 PM MST, 4 hours 22 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
250 PM MST Mon Sep 2 2019

.SYNOPSIS...Scattered thunderstorms this evening then a gradual
downturn in daily activity Tuesday through Friday as the
atmosphere dries out and heat up over the area. Another possible
upswing in shower and thunderstorm activity this upcoming weekend.
Expect temperatures to remain above average through the week with
near record highs possible on Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Widely scattered thunderstorms this afternoon mainly
across the eastern half of the forecast area. Still looking at a
fairly active late afternoon/evening hours but not as active as
Sunday. The upper high, per the 12z upper air plots, remained
over the four corners with favorable easterly flow over the area.
The Tucson morning sounding was a bit drier versus than 24 hours
ago and the steering flow was not as strong, but still strong
enough to move the storms to the west-northwest. Main concerns
later this afternoon into this evening will be isolated strong to
possibly severe storms from Tucson west and heavy rain with PWAT
values in the 1.2" to 1.5". Even with the brisk movement of
storms, flash flooding will still be a concern for areas west of
Tucson if storms move over areas that that recorded between 1"
and 3" of rain last night.

Tuesday: Even with a favorable flow pattern with the upper high
remaining near the four corners, the atmosphere starts to dry out
with forecast PWAT of less then 1" east of Tucson with higher
values up to 1.5" SW of Tucson. So looking at scattered storms in
the White mountains and south-southwest of Tucson. Highs similar
or slightly warmer than today.

Wednesday: Drying continues with chances of afternoon/evening
storms limited once again to the White Mountains and southwest of
Tucson. With drier air in place, it'll get hotter with near record
highs possible for the lower deserts from Tucson west. See climate
section below for further details.

Thursday and Friday: Thunderstorm chances very much limited to
the White mountains and near the International border from Nogales
east both days. Highs remaining hot for early September.

Upcoming weekend: Models indicating moisture returning to the
area, nothing overly deep, but just enough for isolated storms on
Saturday and scattered storms on Sunday. Highs remaining above
normal both days with Sunday being cooler.

&&

.AVIATION...Valid through 03/00Z.
ISOLD-SCT TSRA/SHRA thru 03/06Z and then again aft 03/18Z. SCT
clouds at 8k-12k ft MSL (locally BKN at 6k-9k ft MSL near TSRA) with
BKN-OVC clouds AOA 20k ft MSL thru 03/06Z and aft 03/18Z, with
diminishing clouds between 03/06Z and 03/18Z. Brief MVFR based on
CIGS/VSBY from the stronger TSRA. Wind gusts to 45+ knots possible
near TSRA. Otherwise, SFC wind generally less than 12 kts thru the
forecast period. SFC wind direction will favor a WLY/NWLY direction
during the afternoon/early evening from KTUS west/northwest, with
SFC wind direction either variable in direction or favoring an
ELY/SELY direction to the south and east of KTUS. Aviation
discussion not updated for TAF amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...A favorable flow regime combined with adequate
moisture will result in scattered afternoon and evening showers and
thunderstorms today. Some drying will then take place the rest of
the work week, resulting in isolated showers and thunderstorm, along
with warmer daytime temperatures. An increase in thunderstorm
coverage is expected again this weekend. Expect gusty and erratic
winds with the stronger thunderstorms. Otherwise, 20-foot winds will
be terrain driven and mainly under 15 mph.

&&

.CLIMATE...The August/Summer 2019 climate report for Tucson has
been posted on our website/Facebook/Twitter. Highlights: 2nd
hottest/45th driest August and 2nd hottest/19th driest Summer on
record.

As mentioned in the discussion above, near record highs in he
forecast for Wednesday September 4th. Below are forecast highs
versus the September 4th record highs for sites mainly from Tucson
west.

Date                        Sep 04
                         Fcst RCD/Year
Tucson Intl Airport       105 106/2011
Kitt Peak                  87  89/1979
Organ Pipe Cactus         107 109/1979
Picacho Peak              106 109/2002

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None.

&&

Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 2, 1:53 PM MST, 5 hours 19 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Sep 2, 4:02 PM MST, 3 hours 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
402 PM MST Mon Sep 2 2019

AZZ503-504-022345-
Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales-Tucson
Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail-
402 PM MST Mon Sep 2 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY UNTIL
445 PM MST...

At 401 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
south of Tucson near Sahuarita, moving west at 10 mph.

Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Sahuarita, Drexel Heights, Pascua Pueblo Yaqui Reservation, Summit,
Valencia West and San Xavier Mission.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3208 11080 3192 11080 3189 11112 3212 11111
TIME...MOT...LOC 2301Z 089DEG 8KT 3199 11089

Meyer
Special weather statement, Sep 2, 5:48 PM MST, 1 hour 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
548 PM MST Mon Sep 2 2019

AZZ501-502-030145-
Tohono O'odham Nation including Sells-Western Pima County Including
Ajo/Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument-
548 PM MST Mon Sep 2 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN PIMA COUNTY UNTIL
645 PM MST...

At 547 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles northwest of Hickiwan to Pisinemo to 24
miles west of San Miguel. Movement was west at 10 mph.

Half inch hail and wind gusts of 50 mph and blowing dust will be
possible with these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Ajo, Pisinemo, Gu Vo, Hickiwan, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument,
Ali Chugk, San Simon, Why, Charco 27, Gunsight, Pia Oik, Santa Cruz,
Kuakatch, Papago Farms, San Simon West and Lukeville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3249 11296 3250 11241 3202 11226 3169 11219
      3191 11290 3222 11282
TIME...MOT...LOC 0047Z 101DEG 10KT 3249 11255 3203 11232 3163 11220

GL

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 2, 5:48 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementTWC57 min
Sep 2, 6:45 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima2 hr
Sep 2, 7:59 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima31 min
Sep 3, 1:58 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz47 min
Sep 3, 2:52 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementTWCSanta Cruz38 min
Sep 3, 3:05 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementTWC40 min
Sep 3, 3:50 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementTWCSanta Cruz40 min
Sep 3, 4:16 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementTWC44 min
Sep 3, 4:28 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima29 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Arizona, 2019Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2019

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.