Alert archive / Arizona / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2022

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 88, NWS Tucson, AZ

July 31, 2022Pima County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 31, 2022, 4:52 PM MST for Pima County, Arizona. It was in force for 38 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: Jul 31, 2022, 4:52 PM MST (23:52 UTC)
Expired: Jul 31, 2022, 5:30 PM MST
In force: 38 min
Issued by: NWS Tucson, AZ
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
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 23:54 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

Tuscon, AZ (KTUS), launched 12:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 84 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 1 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 1643 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 8 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -13 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: -18 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 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 Jul 31, 2:26 PM MST, 2 hours 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 31, 2:26 PM MST, 2 hours 26 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
226 PM MST Sun Jul 31 2022

.SYNOPSIS...
Daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms will continue through
this week with afternoon temperatures remaining close to normal.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Today through Saturday.
A cluster of strong storms has already begun to develop early this
afternoon across western Pima County ahead of an easterly wave
over Sonora and southern Arizona. The remainder of the area has
had sufficient daytime heating to start triggering a cumulus
field and initial convection over the higher elevations. The 18z
sounding is showing some drier air filtering into the mid-levels
along with 20-25 kts of deep layer shear and increasing
instability. PWATs stretch from 1" at the AZ/NM border to 2" at
the far western Pima County border. Scattered storms will continue
to develop through the remainder of the afternoon and into this
evening in the form of multicell clusters. Strong winds and
resultant dust issues remain a concern with drier mid-levels and
additional shear. Storms should be moving along to the northwest
today but any training storms or downpours over trouble spots will
create localized flooding problems. Shower and isolated storm
activity is possible overnight with the additional upper level
support.

Looking towards the upcoming week, southeast Arizona will remain
in an active pattern with scattered showers and storms each day.
The ridge will shift westward towards Arizona and the Four
Corners region through midweek. Plenty of moisture will remain in
place under the ridge with activity most likely becoming more
focused over the higher elevations. With the ridge over the
region, chances for rain will come down a smidge early on in the
week. By the second half of the week, we could see another uptick
on monsoonal activity as the ridge shifts back eastward over the
Plains states and open up the door to moisture surging in from the
south/southeast. Wave activity rotating around the ridge will
lead to rounds of more widespread convection and potential for
storms to last into the overnight hours. Temps will remain fairly
consistent this week, remaining right around normal for late
July/early August.

&&

.AVIATION...Valid through 02/00z.
SCT SHRA/TSRA with cloud bases at 7k-12k ft AGL into this evening
with greatest coverage from KTUS-KOLS westward. Storm coverage
should decrease aft 01/04Z becoming more ISOLD in nature thru 01/10Z
with some renewed development again aft 01/18Z. CIGS can lower to 4k-
7k ft AGL with any precipitation, including gusty winds in excess of
40 kts. Otherwise, winds will follow diurnal trends and remain near
or below 10 kts. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF
amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Expect continued scattered shower and thunderstorm activity this
week with a bit of a down trend to a more normal monsoon pattern
for the first half of the week. Strong and erratic outflow winds
will accompany the stronger storms, with otherwise diurnal wind
trends.

&&

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

Public...Guillet
Aviation...Lader
Fire Weather....Guillet

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

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 31, 12:58 PM MST, 3 hours 54 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
1258 PM MST SUN JUL 31 2022

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

1247 PM     FLASH FLOOD      12 SE AJO               32.24N 112.75W
07/31/2022                   PIMA               AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            FLOODING ON SR-85NEAR SOUTH PUERTO BLANCO
            DR, MILE POST 55.

&&

KJS

Local storm report, Jul 31, 1:56 PM MST, 2 hours 56 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
156 PM MST SUN JUL 31 2022

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

0424 PM     FLASH FLOOD      6 N TUCSON              32.28N 110.90W
07/30/2022                   PIMA               AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            RIVER ROAD FROM PONTATOC ROAD TO SWAN ROAD
            WAS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.

&&

KJS

Local storm report, Jul 31, 2:03 PM MST, 2 hours 49 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
203 PM MST SUN JUL 31 2022

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

0600 PM     FLASH FLOOD      7 N TUCSON              32.29N 110.90W
07/30/2022                   PIMA               AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH FLECHA DRIVE AND
            EAST CALLE BARRIL TO NORTH CAIDA PLACE WAS
            CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.

&&

KJS

Special weather statement, Jul 31, 3:45 PM MST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
345 PM MST Sun Jul 31 2022

AZZ503-504-312330-
Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales-Tucson
Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail-
345 PM MST Sun Jul 31 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Pima
County through 430 PM MST...

At 345 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
East Sahuarita, or near Sahuarita, moving northwest at 10 mph.

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...
Sahuarita, Green Valley, East Sahuarita and Summit.

This includes Interstate 19 between mile markers 41 and 53.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3188 11085 3184 11095 3198 11115 3209 11091
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 149DEG 10KT 3190 11092

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

JRM

Special weather statement, Jul 31, 3:55 PM MST, 57 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
355 PM MST Sun Jul 31 2022

AZZ503-504-507-508-513-514-312345-
Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains including Mount
Lemmon/Summerhaven-Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra
Vista/Benson-Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including
Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon-Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar
Valleys including Nogales-Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet
including Douglas/Willcox-Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green
Valley/Marana/Vail-
355 PM MST Sun Jul 31 2022

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of east central Pima,
northwestern Cochise and northeastern Santa Cruz Counties through 445
PM MST...

At 354 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Pearce-Sunsites to 6 miles north of Tombstone
to Whetstone to 11 miles south of East Sahuarita. Movement was
northwest at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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...
Tucson, Benson, Vail, Whetstone, St. David, Sonoita, Dragoon, Elgin,
Kartchner Caverns State Park, Corona De Tucson, Pearce-Sunsites,
Mescal, Cochise, Texas Canyon, Fairbank and Madera Canyon.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 10 between mile markers 276 and 334.
 Route 80 between mile markers 293 and 313.
 Route 82 between mile markers 32 and 66.
 Route 83 between mile markers 33 and 58.
 Route 90 between mile markers 290 and 310.
 Route 191 between mile markers 47 and 66.

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.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3227 10995 3205 11028 3205 11054 3206 11082
      3169 11090 3166 11033 3178 11003 3195 10976
TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 142DEG 11KT 3197 10987 3181 11007 3171 11036
3179 11084

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

GEL

Special weather statement, Jul 31, 4:31 PM MST, 21 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
431 PM MST Sun Jul 31 2022

AZZ508-010015-
Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet including Douglas/Willcox-
431 PM MST Sun Jul 31 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Cochise
County through 515 PM MST...

At 431 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Douglas, moving north at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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...
Douglas, Bisbee-Douglas Airport and Pirtleville.

This includes the following highways...
 Route 80 between mile markers 360 and 378.
 Route 191 between mile markers 1 and 14.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3154 10972 3154 10946 3133 10940 3134 10966
TIME...MOT...LOC 2331Z 163DEG 16KT 3133 10949

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

GEL

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 30, 6:24 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	2 hr
Jul 30, 8:10 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	2 hr
Jul 30, 8:51 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Cochise, Graham	114 min
Jul 30, 10:03 PM MST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TWC	Cochise, Santa Cruz	42 min
Jul 30, 10:41 PM MST	Special Weather Statement	TWC	Santa Cruz	34 min
Jul 30, 10:54 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz	2 hr
Jul 30, 11:11 PM MST	Special Weather Statement	TWC	Santa Cruz	34 min
Jul 30, 11:44 PM MST	Special Weather Statement	TWC		31 min
Jul 31, 1:03 AM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	3 hr
Jul 31, 12:13 PM MST	Special Weather Statement	TWC		47 min
Jul 31, 12:31 PM MST	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	TWC	Pima	3 hr
Jul 31, 12:54 PM MST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TWC	Pima	36 min
Jul 31, 1:10 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	3 hr
Jul 31, 1:26 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Pima	2 hr
Jul 31, 1:47 PM MST	Dust Storm Advisory	TWC	Pinal	58 min
Jul 31, 2:45 PM MST	Dust Storm Advisory	TWC	Pinal	60 min
Jul 31, 3:31 PM MST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TWC	Pima, Santa Cruz	44 min
Jul 31, 3:45 PM MST	Special Weather Statement	TWC	Santa Cruz	45 min
Jul 31, 3:46 PM MST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TWC	Santa Cruz	44 min
Jul 31, 3:55 PM MST	Special Weather Statement	TWC	Cochise	50 min
Jul 31, 4:11 PM MST	Areal Flood Advisory	TWC	Cochise	2 hr
Jul 31, 4:31 PM MST	Special Weather Statement	TWC	Cochise	44 min
Jul 31, 4:37 PM MST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TWC	Pima	38 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Arizona, 2022 Every severe thunderstorm 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.