Special Weather Statement, NWS Tucson, AZ

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
152 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

.SYNOPSIS...Showers and thunderstorms will continue through the
afternoon and evening hours across the area, gradually diminishing
overnight. Heavy rain, flash flooding and severe thunderstorms are
the threats. More typical monsoon days are expected Tuesday and
Wednesday with most locations dry by Thursday into Saturday.
Temperatures will remain below normal for the next few days.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Our active afternoon and evening is starting to come
together across southeast Arizona. The ingredients are in place with
MLCAPE values 1500-2500 J/KG along with a favorable steering wind
profile, above normal moisture levels and broad lift ahead of a
shortwave trough moving south from the Four Corners region along the
AZ/NM border. KEMX radar is showing mostly terrain (and nearby
adjacent areas) convection which will transition into more
widespread storms as activity moves S/SW off the Mogollon Rim. SPC
has much of the CWA outlined in slight risk for severe
thunderstorms. Winds and hail will be the primary severe
thunderstorm threats and we've already seen nickel sized hail in
Oracle from an earlier thunderstorm. Otherwise, the storms initially
today will be fairly slow moving and produce very heavy rainfall
rates with the strongest storms producing more than 2 inches per
hour. Storm movement will increase slightly later but still very
heavy rainfall rates expected, especially in areas where cell
mergers take place as convection becomes more widespread. Thus, the
Flash Flood Watch continues to look good and remains in effect until
2 AM. Convection should generally push to the S/SW this evening and
tend to push southward across the international border after
midnight.

Considerable moisture will remain across southeast Arizona Tuesday,
the main question is just how widespread will potential convection
be. The atmosphere will likely be worked over from the storms
tonight which could limit development Tuesday. HREF members
indicated mostly scattered thunderstorm coverage and this seems
reasonable. PoPs are still fairly elevated but we went below NBM
guidance for Tuesday. Any thunderstorms on Tuesday may still result
in heavy rain and localized flash flooding given slow steering
motions.

As westerly to southwesterly flow kick more into gear Wednesday due
to an upper low across the Pac NW, the weak upper low west of Baja
at this time will get ejected eastward as a shortwave trough. Given
the W/SW flow, best thunderstorm chances on Wednesday will be from
Tucson eastward.

A bona fide break in the monsoon is expected later this week. There
could still be a few storms around in the White Mountains Thursday
but otherwise dry conditions are expected Thursday through Saturday
with drier air on westerly to southwesterly flow aloft. As the
subtropical high builds across the Gulf Coast states into Texas this
weekend, the flow will become more southerly by Sunday into early
next week.

Below normal temperatures will continue this week, warming up to
seasonable levels this weekend.

&&

.AVIATION...Valid through 18/00Z.
Scattered to numerous SHRA/TSRA will continue this aftn thru the
evening hours, gradually diminishing aft 17/06Z with more scattered
SHRA/TSRA psbl especially aft 17/18Z. Gusty winds up to 45+ kts are
psbl with these storms today, otrw expect sfc winds 10 kts or less.
Clouds will be SCT-BKN 6k-11k ft MSL thru the pd with ocnl MVFR
conds in SHRA/TSRA. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF
amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...The active monsoon continues through Wednesday
as a series of weather disturbances transition across the area and
plenty of moisture remains in place. Flash flooding along with
strong to severe winds and hail are the main threats this afternoon
and tonight. Thereafter, storm coverage will become more scattered
in nature with locally heavy rain the primary threat. By Thursday
into the weekend most locales should remain dry with isolated
thunderstorms mainly limited to the higher terrain of Graham and
Greenlee County Thursday. Below normal temperatures are expected
through mid-week before a gradual warm up begins late in the week.
Min RH values remain well above critical levels.
20-foot winds will generally be less than 15 mph when not influenced
by thunderstorms.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
 Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for AZZ501>515.

&&

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Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
556 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

AZZ507-508-513-170130-
Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra
Vista/Benson-Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including
Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon-Eastern Cochise County Below 5000
Feet including Douglas/Willcox-
556 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

...A strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern
Cochise County through 630 PM MST...

At 555 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms 9 miles north of Bisbee, moving south at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Sierra Vista, Bisbee and Hereford.

This includes the following highways...
 Route 80 between mile markers 327 and 340.
 Route 90 between mile markers 325 and 336.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight MST for
southeastern Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3156 11020 3164 10985 3161 10972 3150 10972
      3138 11017
TIME...MOT...LOC 0055Z 338DEG 13KT 3155 10996

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
603 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

AZZ509-170145-
Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford-
603 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Graham
and northeastern Pinal Counties through 645 PM MST...

At 603 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of San Carlos, or 23 miles east of Globe, moving
south at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
San Carlos Reservoir.

This includes Route 70 between mile markers 272 and 287.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight MST for
southeastern Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3314 11017 3311 11044 3319 11045 3320 11040
      3328 11046 3339 11044 3340 11040 3340 11037
      3341 11034 3342 11029
TIME...MOT...LOC 0103Z 348DEG 9KT 3330 11036

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

AH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
605 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

AZZ508-512-513-170145-
Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including
Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon-Chiricahua Mountains including
Chiricahua National Monument-Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet
including Douglas/Willcox-
605 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Cochise
County through 645 PM MST...

At 603 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms 17 miles southeast of Pearce-Sunsites, or 31 miles
north of Douglas. These storms were moving slowly to the south.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Pearce-Sunsites.

This includes the following highways...
 Route 181 between mile markers 47 and 53.
 Route 191 between mile markers 28 and 37.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight MST for
southeastern Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3191 10984 3186 10959 3198 10937 3183 10928
      3173 10946 3172 10979 3182 10996
TIME...MOT...LOC 0103Z 324DEG 4KT 3180 10962

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
617 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

AZZ502-170200-
Tohono O'odham Nation including Sells-
617 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Pima County
through 700 PM MST...

At 617 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles west of Topawa, or 10 miles southwest of Sells. This storm was
nearly stationary.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Gu Oidak and Cowlic.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight MST for
southeastern Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3169 11200 3180 11217 3194 11204 3181 11185
TIME...MOT...LOC 0117Z 160DEG 1KT 3180 11201

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

JRM

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
630 PM MST MON AUG 16 2021

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

0614 PM     FLASH FLOOD      19 S THATCHER           32.56N 109.79W
08/16/2021                   GRAHAM             AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            MUDSLIDE ON ROADWAY ON SR-266 WESTBOUND NEAR
            S US-191 (112).

&&

JRM

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
655 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

AZZ505-506-509-511-170245-
Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including
Clifton/Safford-Southeast Pinal County including
Kearny/Mammoth/Oracle-Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains including Mount
Graham-South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State
Park-
655 PM MST Mon Aug 16 2021

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Graham and
northeastern Pinal Counties through 745 PM MST...

At 655 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles southeast of Superior to 6 miles
northeast of Kearny to 7 miles northeast of Christmas. Movement was
south at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Kearny, Dudleyville, Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, Kelvin and San
Carlos Reservoir.

This includes the following highways...
 Route 77 between mile markers 120 and 134.
 Route 177 between mile markers 139 and 158.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight MST for
southeastern Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3322 11092 3298 11077 3303 11073 3307 11072
      3314 11064 3313 11059 3316 11053 3318 11053
      3319 11045 3276 11044 3281 11081 3291 11114
      3313 11112 3323 11097
TIME...MOT...LOC 0155Z 354DEG 15KT 3319 11102 3314 11085 3312 11063

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

JRM