Flash Flood Warning 11, NWS Phoenix, AZ

631 
WGUS75 KPSR 130244
FFSPSR

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
744 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

AZC012-027-CAC025-130545-
/O.CON.KPSR.FF.W.0011.000000T0000Z-200313T0545Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
La Paz AZ-Yuma AZ-Imperial CA-
744 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM MST/1045
PM PDT/ FOR SOUTH CENTRAL LA PAZ...NORTHWESTERN YUMA AND EAST CENTRAL
IMPERIAL COUNTIES...

At 743 PM MST/743 PM PDT/, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms
producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to one inch of rain
has already fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly around Martinez Lake and highway 95. 

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash 
         flooding.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, 
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Martinez Lake, Fortuna Foothills, Blaisdell, Ligurta, Kinter and Yuma
Proving Ground.

Affected washes and roadways include Indian Wash at US Hwy 95 between
MP 72 and 71.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3264 11448 3304 11462 3307 11448 3338 11432
      3333 11418 3308 11424 3263 11421

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

18

526 
WGUS75 KPSR 130351
FFSPSR

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
851 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

AZC012-027-CAC025-130545-
/O.CON.KPSR.FF.W.0011.000000T0000Z-200313T0545Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
La Paz AZ-Yuma AZ-Imperial CA-
851 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM MST/1045
PM PDT/ FOR SOUTH CENTRAL LA PAZ...NORTHWESTERN YUMA AND EAST CENTRAL
IMPERIAL COUNTIES...

At 850 PM MST/850 PM PDT/, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms 
have ended across the warned area. However, light rain continues and 
u p to one inch of rain has already fallen. Flash flooding is 
ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash 
         flooding.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, 
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Martinez Lake, Fortuna Foothills, Blaisdell, Ligurta, Kinter and Yuma
Proving Ground.

Affected washes and roadways include Indian Wash at US Hwy 95 between
MP 72 and 71.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3264 11448 3304 11462 3307 11448 3338 11432
      3333 11418 3308 11424 3263 11421

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

18

022 
WGUS75 KPSR 130457
FFSPSR

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
957 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

AZC012-027-CAC025-130545-
/O.CON.KPSR.FF.W.0011.000000T0000Z-200313T0545Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
La Paz AZ-Yuma AZ-Imperial CA-
957 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM MST/1045
PM PDT/ FOR SOUTH CENTRAL LA PAZ...NORTHWESTERN YUMA AND EAST CENTRAL
IMPERIAL COUNTIES...

At 956 PM MST/956 PM PDT/, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms 
have ended across the warned area. However, up to one inch of rain 
has already fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash 
         flooding.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, 
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Martinez Lake, Fortuna Foothills, Blaisdell, Ligurta, Kinter and Yuma
Proving Ground.

Affected washes and roadways include Indian Wash at US Hwy 95 between
MP 72 and 71.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3264 11448 3304 11462 3307 11448 3338 11432
      3333 11418 3308 11424 3263 11421

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

18

006 
WGUS75 KPSR 130539
FFSPSR

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1039 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

AZC012-027-CAC025-130549-
/O.EXP.KPSR.FF.W.0011.000000T0000Z-200313T0545Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
La Paz AZ-Yuma AZ-Imperial CA-
1039 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL LA PAZ...NORTHWESTERN
YUMA AND EAST CENTRAL IMPERIAL COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 1045 PM
MST/1045 PM PDT/...

The heavy rain has ended. Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed any
remaining road closures.

LAT...LON 3264 11448 3304 11462 3307 11448 3338 11432
      3333 11418 3308 11424 3263 11421

$$

18

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
500 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

.UPDATE...
Updated 00Z aviation discussion.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
A slow moving and wet storm system will bring widespread showers
and thunderstorms into tonight with showers. Showers will linger
across much of Arizona on Friday. After a brief dry period this
weekend, another colder but not as wet storm system is expected
toward the middle of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Not much change in forecast thinking for the current system
impacting the region. GOES-17 water vapor imagery indicated the
center of the upper level low is finally progressing eastward, now
approaching the coast of the baja peninsula. Increasingly
diffluent flow ahead of the low, over an airmass of record high
PWAT values (1.2" observed at Yuma this morning, essentially at
record levels for the winter months), is allowing for widespread
showers to continually develop. A notable short wave in the moist
southwest flow is evident due to a developing baroclinic leaf. The
low should continue to progress through the region tonight as it
is nudged onward by a developing upstream anticyclone and and
pulled a bit by a jet streak moving through the Interior West.

Short-term, high-res convective allowing models continue to show
showers and storms increasing in coverage and intensity this
afternoon across southeast California, with a second round across
south-central Arizona (including Phoenix) this evening. The
coverage/intensity along with continued upslope southeasterly
flow in Imperial, eastern Riverside, Yuma, and La Paz counties
will likely lead to areas of flooding/flash flooding.
Precipitation amounts over the past 6-12 hours are on the order of
0.25-0.75". Additional precipitation from the HREF mean for this
area should be 0.5-1.5" with potential for localized 3". For this
reason, WPC earlier upgraded the area to a Moderate risk of
flooding on the Day 1 Excessive Rainfall Outlook. A Flash Flood
Watch remains in effect for this area through 11 AM Friday (as
runoff issues continue into the morning).

For south-central Arizona, including the Phoenix area and into
southern Gila County, rainfall will become more of an issue as the
afternoon and in particular evening unfold. Additional rainfall
of 0.5-1.0" is likely with potential for localized 3", especially
in upslope areas of northern Maricopa County and toward the Four
Peaks area. Saturated ground conditions from rains earlier in the
week will mean washes and creeks will quickly respond to this next
round. Flooding/flash flooding will become a significant concern
as the evening wears on. A Flash Flood Watch will remain in effect
through 5 PM Friday (as runoff conditions continue).

We can't rule out the threat of other modes of severe weather as
well for all areas - lightning of course with thunderstorms, but
hail as well with the steepening mid-level lapse rates. Enough
shear will be in place for a few of the storms to show rotating
characteristics, supporting stronger updrafts. Should a storm
becoming rooted in the boundary layer, a tornado or two will
become possible.

A rapid decrease in shower activity will take hold over our
western CWA by Friday, but conditions will be slow to improve for
Maricopa/Pinal/Gila counties. Precipitation chances will remain
quite high in this area for Friday due to remaining high moisture
levels and some mid-level instability, but actual additional rain
amounts should be fairly light (0.10-0.25").

The synoptic pattern Saturday through Wednesday will feature
anomalously strong anti-cyclones anchored over the Southeast US
and Gulf of Alaska. Between them, a closed (currently off the
coast of British Columbia) will deepen and gradually move toward
the Southwest US. Ensembles are showing fairly good agreement with
the timing, track, and overall intensity of this system. Ahead of
the system, persistent southwest flow will promote warming
temperatures, with widespread 70s (60s at higher elevations)
Saturday into Tuesday. Spread on temperatures is fairly tight
Sat-Tue, leading to above average confidence.

By Wednesday, our forecast area will begin to feel the influence
of this system as it moves across the region. Broad upper level
diffluence and isentropic/orographic lift will promote
precipitation development. Right now moisture availability looks
to be on the lower end, with GEFS members ranging from 0.4-0.7
inches (mean 0.5). While that would perhaps point to lower QPF
values, the system will be quite a bit colder, with 700 mb
temperatures forecast to be below the 10th percentile for mid/late
March. Given a colder airmass, precipitation processes and
forcing could compensate for the lower moisture content. The
current forecast leveraging WPC guidance indicates roughly half an
inch of precipitation for the Phoenix area. However, it is noted
that the latest NBM runs are wetter, with a 5% chance for 1.00"+.

&&

.AVIATION...Updated at 0000Z.

South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT:
A brief lull in the shower and thunderstorm activity is expected
for the next couple of hours with ceilings generally remaining at
or above 4 kft before conditions rapidly deteriorate this evening.
Convective coverage will increase between 01-03Z as SCT-BKN MVFR
ceilings persist, with thunderstorms expected after 03Z as the
cold front approaches. Some hi-res models are pointing towards a
period of training or backbuilding thunderstorms between 04-08Z
over a fairly narrow corridor of the Phoenix metro, whereas others
depict a more progressive system. Regardless, this period should
have persistent IFR-MVFR ceilings and visibilities with a brief
period of W-SW 25-30 knot gusts. Otherwise, winds will generally
retain more southerly or S-SE headings around 10-15 knots.
Convective activity should become more isolated by 08-09Z and end
by 14Z with SCT-BKN ceilings generally staying above 3-4 kft.
Winds will be more S-SW on Friday morning and afternoon with
isolated convective showers expected to redevelop after 21Z.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:

A line of strong showers and thunderstorms will continue to slowly
push east over the next few hours, exiting the vicinity of KIPL by
01Z and KBLH by 02Z. More significant impacts are expected over
the next couple of hours at KBLH where thunderstorms will likely
cause 30-35 knot gusts and MVFR ceilings and visibilities. Behind
this line of storms along the cold front, more westerly winds at
KIPL and southwesterly winds at KBLH are expected, with gusts up
to 25 knots this evening subsiding to 10-15 knots overnight.
Ceilings should generally remain above 3 kft overnight, but patchy
fog is possible, particularly at KBLH through mid-morning. Wind
gusts should increase to around 25 knots tomorrow afternoon across
the region, with more W-SW winds at KIPL and S-SW winds at KBLH.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Saturday through Wednesday:
Drier conditions will move in during the weekend before more
unsettled weather is expected into the middle part of next week.
Humidity levels will stay elevated through the period with minimum
readings generally 25-40%. High temperatures will stay near or a
bit below seasonal normals through the weekend with well below
normal temperatures likely by the middle of next week. Winds will
be breezy at times through much of the period, especially during
the daytime hours. Gusts will mostly reach into the 20-25 mph
range.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotters should follow standard reporting procedures.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...Flash Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for AZZ534-537>560-
     562-563.

     Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning for AZZ530>533-536.

CA...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning for CAZ560>570.

&&

DISCUSSION...Iniguez
AVIATION...Hopper
FIRE WEATHER...Kuhlman

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
453 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

AZZ530-531-533-CAZ564-565-567-569-570-130045-
Kofa AZ-Parker Valley AZ-Central La Paz AZ-Chuckwalla Mountains CA-
Imperial County Southeast CA-Palo Verde Valley CA-
Chuckwalla Valley CA-Imperial Valley CA-
453 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LA PAZ...EASTERN
IMPERIAL AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM MST/545 PM PDT/...

At 452 PM MST/452 PM PDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Ripley to 16 miles
north of Algodones Dunes to 14 miles west of Gordon's Well. Movement
was east at 25 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Cibola, Palo Verde, Ripley, Gordon's Well, Algodones Dunes and
Glamis.

This includes the following highways...
CA Interstate 8 between mile markers 49 and 87.
CA Route 78 between mile markers 38 and 80.
CA Route 98 between mile markers 46 and 57.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3273 11542 3304 11507 3359 11477 3348 11437
      3288 11462 3271 11483 3269 11520
TIME...MOT...LOC 2352Z 292DEG 21KT 3350 11462 3298 11485 3265 11520

AJ

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
538 PM MST THU MAR 12 2020

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

0347 PM     FLASH FLOOD      5 NNW SEELEY            32.85N 115.72W
03/12/2020                   IMPERIAL           CA   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            ***DELAYED REPORT...ROAD CLOSURE DUE TO
            WATER OVER THE ROAD AT HUFF ROAD AND BOLEY
            ROAD PER CALTRANS QUICKMAP.

&&

LJH

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
553 PM MST THU MAR 12 2020

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

0245 PM     FLOOD            2 SW DIXIELAND          32.77N 115.80W
03/12/2020                   IMPERIAL           CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            CORRESPONDING ROAD CLOSURE AT I-8 AND
            DUNLAP, IMPERIAL, CA.

&&

JS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
602 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

AZZ530>532-CAZ564-565-569-130145-
Kofa AZ-Parker Valley AZ-Yuma AZ-Chuckwalla Mountains CA-
Imperial County Southeast CA-Palo Verde Valley CA-
602 PM MST Thu Mar 12 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LA PAZ...
NORTHWESTERN YUMA AND NORTHEASTERN IMPERIAL COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM
MST/645 PM PDT/...

At 602 PM MST/602 PM PDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 13 miles west of Martinez Lake, moving north at 30 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern La
Paz, northwestern Yuma and northeastern Imperial Counties.
This includes CA Route 78 between mile markers 64 and 70.

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 3284 11479 3332 11486 3321 11439 3278 11457
TIME...MOT...LOC 0102Z 174DEG 28KT 3293 11470

AJ

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
614 PM MST THU MAR 12 2020

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

0347 PM     HAIL             4 NW HOLTVILLE          32.85N 115.44W
03/12/2020  E0.25 INCH       IMPERIAL           CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            BETWEEN IMPERIAL AND HOLTVILLE RD.

&&

JS

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
625 PM MST THU MAR 12 2020

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

0608 PM     FLASH FLOOD      10 SSW PALO VERDE       33.28N 114.78W
03/12/2020                   IMPERIAL           CA   PUBLIC

            CALTRANS REPORTS VEHICLE SWEPT AWAY IN A
            FLASH FLOOD ALONG STATE ROUTE 78 WITH
            MULTIPLE PERSONS IN THE VEHICLE.

&&

LJH