Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2022

Flash Flood Warning 107, NWS Phoenix, AZ

August 12, 2022Maricopa County, Arizona

NWS Phoenix, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Aug 12, 2022, 12:15 PM MST for Maricopa County, Arizona. It was in force for 4 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 12, 2022, 12:15 PM MST (19:15 UTC)
Expired
Aug 12, 2022, 3:51 PM MST
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Phoenix, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Maricopa County, AZ

The radar

The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:16 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Phoenix, AZ (KPSR), launched 12:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 49 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Phoenix, AZ at 12:00Z on 2022-08-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 652 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Phoenix, AZ at 12:00Z on 2022-08-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -5 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
652 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-170 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2269 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
6 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-5 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
3 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 Aug 12, 5:41 AM MST, 6 hours 34 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 12, 5:41 AM MST, 6 hours 34 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
541 AM MST Fri Aug 12 2022

.UPDATE...Updated Aviation Discussion.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
Today and through the weekend will bring increased chances for
monsoon storms, particularly across higher terrain areas. Storm
activity will tend to favor the afternoon and evening hours with
strong winds, heavy rainfall, and localized flooding all possible.
After near normal temperatures today, slightly cooler temperatures
are expected over the weekend with increased cloud cover. Chances
for showers and thunderstorms will persist into early next week,
but likely to a lesser degree compared to over the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
After fairly isolated storms on Thursday, the atmosphere has
recovered with higher instability now encompassing the majority
of the area. Current objective analysis shows ample moisture
across the entire region, but overall little convection ongoing
early this morning. What current shower activity is there is
mainly associated with two separate MCVs located just south of
Pima County and another across far southeast Arizona, both of
which are very slowly drifting to the west northwest.

Assuming the MCV across southeast Arizona doesn't spawn much more
shower or thunderstorm activity this morning, cloud cover to start
out the day should be somewhat minimal aiding in good insolation
and destabilization by this afternoon. Forecast soundings later
today across the lower deserts still show measurable CIN, but
expected insolation should be sufficient to get fairly widespread
high terrain storms firing by mid afternoon. General consensus
among hi-res models is for fairly widespread afternoon convection
along the Rim through Gila County and some scattered activity over
elevated terrain areas like the Kofa's and Table Top area. Low
level mixing ratios will be fairly good at 10-12 g/kg, but not
indicating excessive moisture to where DCAPEs are too low for
decent storm outflow production. The CIN over lower elevation
areas is likely to initially inhibit further development along
weaker outflows, but any organized deeper outflows should be
enough to erode the CIN for additional storm development.

Unfortunately, the 00Z HREF members show very little agreement
for lower desert storm development this evening with the HRRR
favoring the Phoenix area, NSSL over southern Maricopa Co., and
the ARW across the Lower Colorado River Valley. However, NBM PoPs
across the area today are notably higher than yesterday with
20-30% across the western deserts, 35-45% in the Phoenix area, and
50-60% over the high terrain north and east of Phoenix. Models do
not indicate any organized ascent areas from larger scale
disturbances, but the current MCVs may persist long enough to
enhance convection mainly south of Phoenix. Given the expected
environmental parameters today, isolated strong winds, patchy
blowing dust, heavy rainfall, and localized flooding will all be
possible. Will hold off on any Flood Watches for now due to the
lack of a good focusing mechanism for organized storms and HREF
disagreement, but there very well could be a few storms that
produce heavy rainfall amounts capable of producing localized
flooding.

For Saturday, models are showing a slight increase in overall
instability, with some HREF members showing more widespread
convection compared to today. As with today, there are no good
indications of substantial larger scale disturbances, but there
very well could be another MCV or two to provide localized
enhanced ascent in addition to the typical terrain influences. If
today ends up producing an organized MCS resulting in a worked
over atmosphere, then Saturday should be less active for most
areas. WPC's Excessive Rainfall Outlook for both today and
Saturday has a fairly large slight risk area encompassing the
majority of Arizona, so we may end up needing a Flood Watch at
some point later today or on Saturday. Although forecast
confidence drops a bit going into Sunday, there looks to be very
little change in this potential active weather pattern as ample
moisture will remain in place. Day to day monsoon storm chances
are likely to persist into next week, but there is some ensemble
support for some slight drying early next week which likely
contributed to the decrease in NBM PoPs.

Temperatures today will again be quite warm with highs near 105
degrees across a good portion of the lower deserts, resulting in
localized Moderate HeatRisk. As monsoon storm activity likely
ramps up into the weekend, daytime highs should drop a bit with
NBM highs closer to 100-103 degrees.

&&

.AVIATION...Updated 1240Z.

South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT:
Winds will favor diurnal tendencies through the rest of this
morning and into the early afternoon hours, mostly below 10 kts.
Shower/thunderstorm chances increase by late afternoon/early
evening (~40-50%) across the metro. Have added VCSH/VCTS to the
TAFs for later today. Any thunderstorms will be capable of gusty
erratic winds along with lightning, blowing dust and locally heavy
rainfall. Confidence in winds is low given the possibility for
multiple outflows from various directions. For now, have added a
NE outflow as this is currently the most favored solution. There
is a 20-30% chance outflow winds will exceed 30 kts in the Valley.
SCT- BKN clouds will mostly remain aoa 10 kft, dropping to around
8 kft with any convection.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:
Winds will generally favor a SE to SW component at KIPL, while
winds mostly favor the S at KBLH. There will be about a 20-30%
chance for showers and thunderstorms this afternoon with the
primary impacts with any thunderstorms being gusty erratic winds
(30-40% chance >30 kts) along with blowing dust and lightning.
SCT-BKN clouds will mostly remain aoa 10 kft but may briefly drop
lower with any thunderstorms.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Ample monsoonal moisture is expected to persist through at least
the first half of next week keeping the fire danger threat low.
This moist airmass will continue to yield elevated humidities
with afternoon minimum RH values mostly in a 30-35% range,
locally higher, and good overnight recovery. Chances for wetting
rains will continue for most areas almost daily, especially
through the weekend. Winds for the most part will remain light,
with the exception of thunderstorm outflows generating stronger
gusts.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...None.
CA...None.
&&

DISCUSSION...Kuhlman
AVIATION...Smith
FIRE WEATHER...Kuhlman

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 12, 9:36 AM MST, 2 hours 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
936 AM MST Fri Aug 12 2022

AZZ532-CAZ565-121715-
Yuma AZ-Imperial County Southeast CA-
936 AM MST Fri Aug 12 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Yuma
and southeastern Imperial Counties through 1015 AM MST/1015 AM
PDT/...

At 935 AM MST/935 AM PDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm over Yuma, moving northwest 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...
Yuma, Winterhaven, Araby, Algodones Dunes and Andrade.

This includes the following highways...
AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 1 and 8.
AZ Route 95 between mile markers 29 and 30.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3264 11477 3272 11472 3271 11475 3270 11493
      3272 11498 3295 11482 3273 11447 3258 11459
TIME...MOT...LOC 1635Z 120DEG 14KT 3270 11463

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

Feldkircher
Special weather statement, Aug 12, 9:44 AM MST, 2 hours 31 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 12, 10:17 AM MST, 1 hour 58 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 11, 5:48 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRLa Paz19 min
Aug 11, 6:06 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRLa Paz21 min
Aug 11, 6:11 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRLa Paz3 hr
Aug 11, 6:16 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR44 min
Aug 11, 6:45 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRLa Paz3 hr
Aug 12, 8:56 AM MSTFlood WatchPSRGila, La Paz, Maricopa, Pinal, Yuma62 hr
Aug 12, 9:36 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR39 min
Aug 12, 9:44 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRLa Paz46 min
Aug 12, 10:17 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR43 min
Aug 12, 10:25 AM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRLa Paz, Yuma4 hr
Aug 12, 10:32 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRYuma4 hr
Aug 12, 11:00 AM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRYuma4 hr
Aug 12, 11:51 AM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal69 min
Aug 12, 12:50 PM MSTDust Storm AdvisoryPSRMaricopa, Pinal85 min
Aug 12, 1:05 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRMaricopa40 min
Aug 12, 1:06 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRPinal39 min
Aug 12, 1:20 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRPinal3 hr
Aug 12, 1:26 PM MSTDust Storm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal53 min
Aug 12, 1:38 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRPinal37 min
Aug 12, 1:41 PM MSTDust Storm WarningPSRPinal64 min
Aug 12, 1:44 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR46 min
Aug 12, 1:47 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRGila43 min
Aug 12, 1:53 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa37 min
Aug 12, 1:55 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRPinal50 min
Aug 12, 1:56 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRPinal18 min
Aug 12, 1:59 PM MSTDust Storm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal61 min
Aug 12, 2:03 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal42 min
Aug 12, 2:04 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa3 hr
Aug 12, 2:07 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRGila53 min
Aug 12, 2:11 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa49 min
Aug 12, 2:12 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa3 hr
Aug 12, 2:23 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRPinal52 min
Aug 12, 2:30 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR45 min
Aug 12, 2:36 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal39 min
Aug 12, 2:48 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa42 min
Aug 12, 2:50 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRGila40 min
Aug 12, 2:52 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRPinal2 hr
Aug 12, 2:57 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR63 min
Aug 12, 2:58 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa2 hr
Aug 12, 3:03 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal42 min
Aug 12, 3:09 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa2 hr
Aug 12, 3:18 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa42 min
Aug 12, 3:21 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa3 hr
Aug 12, 3:23 PM MSTDust Storm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal37 min
Aug 12, 3:29 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRGila46 min
Aug 12, 3:32 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa2 hr
Aug 12, 3:37 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa38 min
Aug 12, 3:55 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningPSRMaricopa3 hr
Aug 12, 3:56 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRMaricopa64 min
Aug 12, 3:57 PM MSTDust Storm AdvisoryPSRMaricopa, Pinal63 min
Aug 12, 3:59 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRGila93 min
Aug 12, 4:06 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRYuma84 min
Aug 12, 4:22 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningPSRMaricopa66 min
Aug 12, 4:26 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRLa Paz, Maricopa49 min
Aug 12, 4:30 PM MSTDust Storm AdvisoryPSRYuma2 hr
Aug 12, 4:31 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRGila58 min
Aug 12, 4:42 PM MSTDust Storm AdvisoryPSRLa Paz, Maricopa, Yuma63 min
Aug 12, 4:50 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR55 min
Aug 11, 5:04 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRRiverside41 min
Aug 11, 5:30 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRRiverside3 hr
Aug 11, 5:45 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRRiverside45 min
Aug 11, 6:43 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRRiverside3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, 2022Every flash flood warning in 2022

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.