Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2023

Flash Flood Warning 1, NWS Phoenix, AZ

January 1, 2023Pinal County, Arizona

NWS Phoenix, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Jan 1, 2023, 5:10 PM MST for Pinal 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
Jan 1, 2023, 5:10 PM MST (00:10 UTC)
Expired
Jan 1, 2023, 9:15 PM MST
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Phoenix, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Pinal County, AZ

The radar

The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 52 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:11 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 00:00Z, 0.2 hours before the alert went out and 92 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, Tuscon, AZ at 00:00Z on 2023-01-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1 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, Tuscon, AZ at 00:00Z on 2023-01-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 147 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
1 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-54 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1128 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
65 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
147 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
121 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 Jan 1, 1:30 PM MST, 3 hours 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 1, 1:30 PM MST, 3 hours 40 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jan 1, 3:25 PM MST, 1 hour 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
325 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

AZZ538>540-543-544-546-550-553-559-012315-
South Mountain/Ahwatukee AZ-Sonoran Desert Natl Monument AZ-
Scottsdale/Paradise Valley AZ-Buckeye/Avondale AZ-
Northwest Pinal County AZ-Tonopah Desert AZ-Gila Bend AZ-
Central Phoenix AZ-North Phoenix/Glendale AZ-
325 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Maricopa and Pinal
Counties through 415 PM MST...

At 325 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Cashion to 7 miles southwest of Gila Bend
Auxiliary Field. Movement was east at 25 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...
Phoenix, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Paradise Valley, Tolleson, Gila
Bend, Laveen, Cashion, Estrella, Litchfield Park, South Phoenix,
Cotton Center, Arizona State Fairgrounds, Liberty, South Mountain
Park, Camelback Mountain, Sky Harbor Airport, Estrella Mountain Park
and Estrella Mountain Ranch.

This includes the following highways...
AZ Interstate 10 between mile markers 123 and 151.
AZ Interstate 17 between mile markers 195 and 204.
AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 104 and 133.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3275 11308 3350 11244 3352 11192 3283 11248
TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 259DEG 24KT 3344 11234 3282 11282

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

Heil
Local storm report, Jan 1, 3:44 PM MST, 1 hour 26 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
344 PM MST SUN JAN 1 2023

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

0335 PM     HAIL             7 S CAVE CREEK          33.72N 111.98W
01/01/2023  E0.25 INCH       MARICOPA           AZ   PUBLIC

&&

INS
Special weather statement, Jan 1, 3:52 PM MST, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
352 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

AZZ541>549-556-557-012345-
Fountain Hills/East Mesa AZ-New River Mesa AZ-
Scottsdale/Paradise Valley AZ-Mazatzal Mountains AZ-Tonto Basin AZ-
Cave Creek/New River AZ-East Valley AZ-Central Phoenix AZ-
Deer Valley AZ-Rio Verde/Salt River AZ-North Phoenix/Glendale AZ-
352 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Gila and Maricopa
Counties through 445 PM MST...

At 352 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 11 miles southeast of Childs Power Plant to Sky
Harbor Airport. Movement was east at 30 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...
Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley,
Sugarloaf Mountain, Sycamore Creek, Ballantine Trailhead, Round
Valley, Sunflower, Papago Park, Granite Reef Dam, Falcon Field
Airport, Salt River Indian Community, Usery Mountain Park, Downtown
Scottsdale, Goldfield Ranch, Scottsdale Airport and Camelback
Mountain.

This includes the following highways...
AZ Interstate 10 mile marker 149 and near mile marker 150.
AZ Route 87 between mile markers 176 and 229.
AZ Route 202 between mile markers 2 and 8, and between mile markers
12 and 23.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3399 11142 3396 11139 3389 11126 3349 11147
      3342 11204 3400 11176 3400 11150 3401 11148
      3401 11143
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 251DEG 28KT 3421 11159 3344 11199

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

Heil
Special weather statement, Jan 1, 4:12 PM MST, 58 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
412 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

AZZ552-556-558-560>563-020000-
Southeast Gila County AZ-Tonto Basin AZ-San Carlos AZ-
Dripping Springs AZ-Globe/Miami AZ-Superior AZ-
Pinal/Superstition Mountains AZ-
412 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Gila,
Eastern Maricopa and Eastern Pinal Counties through 500 PM MST...

At 412 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles north of Top-Of-The-World to 8 miles
northwest of Kearny. Movement was east at 35 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...
Globe, Superior, Miami, Top Of The World, Cutter, Central
Heights-Midland City, Top-Of-The-World, Claypool and Inspiration.

This includes the following highways...
US Highway 60 between mile markers 227 and 281.
AZ Route 70 between mile markers 253 and 267.
AZ Route 77 between mile markers 152 and 170.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3310 11085 3324 11095 3315 11109 3353 11112
      3367 11081 3366 11078 3370 11074 3378 11057
      3319 11051
TIME...MOT...LOC 2312Z 248DEG 29KT 3348 11105 3313 11103

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

Heil
Special weather statement, Jan 1, 4:16 PM MST, 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
416 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

AZZ539-553-554-559-020000-
Sonoran Desert Natl Monument AZ-Northwest Pinal County AZ-
Gila Bend AZ-West Pinal County AZ-
416 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Maricopa and Pinal
Counties through 500 PM MST...

At 415 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles north of Estrella to 6 miles southeast
of Gila Bend Auxiliary Field. Movement was east at 25 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...
Estrella, Freeman, Big Horn, Bosque, Estrella Sailport, Sonoran
National Monument and Mobile.

This includes the following highways...
AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 121 and 142.
AZ Route 238 between mile markers 6 and 40.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3319 11203 3279 11233 3279 11277 3315 11244
TIME...MOT...LOC 2315Z 255DEG 20KT 3313 11237 3280 11268

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

Heil
Special weather statement, Jan 1, 4:58 PM MST, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
458 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

AZZ550-551-553-554-559-020045-
South Mountain/Ahwatukee AZ-Sonoran Desert Natl Monument AZ-
Northwest Pinal County AZ-Southeast Valley/Queen Creek AZ-
West Pinal County AZ-
458 PM MST Sun Jan 1 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Maricopa and Pinal
Counties through 545 PM MST...

At 458 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Estrella Sailport to 8 miles east of
Estrella to 9 miles west of Big Horn. Movement was east 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...
Sun Lakes, Maricopa, Estrella, Bapchule, Freeman, Big Horn, Estrella
Sailport, Ak-Chin Village, Mobile and Stanfield.

This includes the following highways...
AZ Interstate 10 between mile markers 168 and 173.
AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 128 and 155.
AZ Route 238 between mile markers 16 and 44.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3322 11184 3290 11193 3275 11225 3273 11271
      3298 11246 3322 11211
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 250DEG 19KT 3313 11213 3300 11226 3282 11254

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

SDB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 1, 5:35 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa, Pinal4 hr
Jan 1, 5:39 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRPinal36 min
Jan 1, 6:57 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningPSRGila61 hr
Jan 1, 7:05 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRMaricopa25 min
Jan 1, 7:31 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR44 min
Jan 1, 8:36 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR39 min
Jan 1, 9:11 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningPSRPinal9 hr
Jan 1, 9:21 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRPinal24 min
Jan 1, 9:37 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal6 hr
Jan 1, 10:19 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningPSRGila6 hr
Jan 2, 10:57 AM MSTWind AdvisoryPSRImperial22 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, 2023Every flash flood warning in 2023

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.