Alert archive / California / Flash Flood Warnings in 2023

Flash Flood Warning 25, NWS Phoenix, AZ

September 1, 2023Imperial County, California

NWS Phoenix, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Sep 1, 2023, 2:03 PM PDT for Imperial County, California. 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
Sep 1, 2023, 2:03 PM PDT (21:03 UTC)
Expired
Sep 1, 2023, 5:52 PM PDT
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Phoenix, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Imperial County, CA

The radar

The Yuma radar (KYUX), 90 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:06 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

San Diego, CA (KNKX), launched 12:00Z, 9.1 hours before the alert went out and 173 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, San Diego, CA at 12:00Z on 2023-09-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, San Diego, CA at 12:00Z on 2023-09-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 59 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1085 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
14 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
59 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
75 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 Sep 1, 1:07 PM PDT, 56 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 1:07 PM PDT, 56 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
107 PM MST Fri Sep 1 2023

.SYNOPSIS...
Widespread showers and thunderstorms will impact the region
through tonight. Locally heavy rainfall is expected. Flash
flooding will be the primary concern into this evening, with
localized amounts exceeding 2 inches, especially for southwest
Arizona and Southeast California. As a result, a Flood Watch is in
effect for much of the area through this evening. Some strong to
severe storms are also possible for southwest Arizona and
southeast California with localized damaging winds. After a few
isolated storms linger on Saturday, dry conditions will set in
with a warming trend. Temperatures will start the weekend below
normal with a return to near or above normal conditions next
week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Strong dynamical system across the region as an upper low digs
south across CA with a moist southerly flow entrenched across the
region with precipitable waters from 1.5 to 2 inches. Strong
upper jet dynamics in the entrance region allowing for enhanced
diffluence aloft setting the stage for strong storms and potential
flash flooding. The latest mesoanalysis showing the best
instability across southwest AZ and southeast CA where sunshine
has worked to warm temperatures. Already seeing strong storms across
Yuma County with very heavy rainfall. South central AZ, including
Phoenix, has been under plenty of debris clouds and even some
light rain keeping daytime heating limited and inhibiting
convection so far.

Strong storms will continue to increase across southwest AZ and
southeast CA into early this evening. Given the high moisture
content, flash flooding will likely be the main threat, but
localized strong and damaging winds are also possible. While the
threat for flash flooding looks to be decreasing across the
Phoenix area, not ready to rule it out. Additional convection
developing across southeast AZ is expected to lift northwest
toward the valley by late evening and would likely produce some
locally heavy downpours with strong moisture transport into the
area.

After tonight, things quiet down quite a bit. Isolated storms are
still possible on Saturday with lingering moisture, but as the
upper low across CA lifts northeast and weakens, flow turns more
west/southwest bring drier air into the region beginning Sunday.
Next week, upper heights build westward across the area and
temperatures will begin to rebound back to near or above normal
levels.

&&

.AVIATION...Updated at 1730Z.

South-Central AZ including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, KDVT:
Main aviation focus through tonight will be the coverage and
timing of any shower/thunderstorm activity along with breezy
southerly winds. More stable conditions occurring across the
valley late this morning after last nights convection. Recovery
for storms will be questionable for much of the day. Will be
monitoring instability for better threat of storms later this
evening. For now, have included just VCSH in the TAFs for the
favored times of showers for a period this afternoon and then
again later this evening. Southeasterly winds favored for much of
the day with a slight shift to south expected by mid afternoon.
They will also become gusty later this afternoon. Any shift to
westerly winds would have to be thunderstorm driven outflows from
the west, but that chance is low at this time but will continue to
monitor trends. Overnight winds will settle in out of the typical
east. Otherwise, BKN/OVC mid/high clouds will prevail through the
forecast period.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:
Main concerns this forecast period will be thunderstorm threats
and gusty winds. Easterly winds will become southerly and gusty by
mid afternoon before shifting to the southwest this evening. Wind
gusts 20 to 30 kts are likely. Thunderstorm activity will increase
across the region by mid afternoon. Greatest threat will be from
about 22z-03z late this afternoon into this evening.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Anomalous moisture will translate to cooler temperatures and greater
chances for rain today. Chances for wetting rains are highest into
the evening. Localized flash flooding is also possible. Outside
of thunderstorm winds, breezy southerly winds are expected into
the evening, particularly across southeast California and
southwest Arizona. Min RHs over the next couple of days will be
elevated around 35-45%. Rain chances linger around Saturday
before much drier air is ushered in, eliminating rain chances by
the start of next week. Min RHs are expected to fall to around
15-25% by early next week. Below normal temperatures will
gradually trend upward again next week as ridging is expected to
build back into the region.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...Flood Watch until midnight MST tonight for AZZ530-531-533-534-
     536>559-561-562.

CA...Flood Watch until midnight PDT tonight for CAZ560>570.

&&

DISCUSSION...Frieders
AVIATION...Frieders
FIRE WEATHER...Frieders

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 1, 10:36 AM PDT, 3 hours 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1036 AM MST Fri Sep 1 2023

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

0802 PM     Dust Storm       3 SE Maricopa           33.04N 112.01W
08/31/2023                   Pinal              AZ   Trained Spotter

            ***Delayed report*** Visibility less than
            1/4 mile in blowing dust. Also branches
            down.

&&

SB
Special weather statement, Sep 1, 11:01 AM PDT, 3 hours 2 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1101 AM MST Fri Sep 1 2023

AZZ531-532-535-536-538-539-559-012100-
Sonoran Desert Natl Monument-Gila River Valley-Kofa-Southeast Yuma
County-Tonopah Desert-Gila Bend-Yuma-
1101 AM MST Fri Sep 1 2023

...STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL LA
PAZ...YUMA AND MARICOPA COUNTIES...

At 1059 AM MST, conditions are becoming more favorable for the
development of isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Some storms may
become strong to severe.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible, which could generate
blowing dust.

Locations impacted include...
Yuma, Gila Bend, Fortuna Foothills, Wellton, Tacna, Sentinel, Paloma,
Kinter, Blaisdell, Painted Rock Dam, Tyson, Gila Bend Auxiliary
Field, Dateland, Ligurta, Sundad, Mohawk, Palm Canyon, Hyder, and
Roll.

This includes the following highways...
AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 12 and 117.
AZ Route 85 between mile markers 1 and 119.
AZ Route 95 between mile markers 33 and 81.

Torrential rainfall will also be possible with this storm, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

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.

LAT...LON 3240 11448 3275 11446 3333 11435 3334 11275
      3251 11267 3250 11333 3204 11334
TIME...MOT...LOC 1759Z 167DEG 18KT 3273 11372

SDB
Local storm report, Sep 1, 12:02 PM PDT, 2 hours 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1202 PM MST Fri Sep 1 2023

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

1150 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     12 NNW Tacna            32.86N 114.03W
09/01/2023  M57 MPH          Yuma               AZ   Mesonet

            Mesonet station YP004 Yuma Proving Ground
            Station 4.

&&

SB
Local storm report, Sep 1, 12:25 PM PDT, 1 hour 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1225 PM MST Fri Sep 1 2023

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

1149 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     13 NNW Tacna            32.87N 114.03W
09/01/2023  E62 MPH          Yuma               AZ   Mesonet

            Yuma Proving Ground Station 4 measured a 62
            mph wind gust.

&&

SB
Special weather statement, Sep 1, 12:58 PM PDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1258 PM MST Fri Sep 1 2023

AZZ530>533-CAZ562>570-012300-
Kofa-Parker Valley-Central La Paz-Yuma-Chuckwalla Mountains-Imperial
County Southeast-Palo Verde Valley-Salton Sea-Chuckwalla
Valley-Chiriaco Summit-Imperial County West-Imperial County
Southwest-Imperial Valley-
1258 PM MST Fri Sep 1 2023

...STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN LA
PAZ...WEST CENTRAL YUMA...IMPERIAL AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES...

At 1257 PM MST/1257 PM PDT/, thunderstorms are developing across
the region. Some storms may become strong to severe.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible, which may generate
blowing dust.

Locations impacted include...
Yuma, El Centro, Calexico, Brawley, Imperial, Chiriaco Summit,
Plaster City, Martinez Lake, Salton City, Desert Center, Ocotillo,
Blythe, Holtville, Westmorland, North Shore, Nicholls Warm Springs,
Salton Sea Beach, Cibola, Palo Verde, and Andrade.

This includes the following highways...
AZ Interstate 10 between mile markers 1 and 10.
CA Interstate 10 between mile markers 74 and 156.
AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 1 and 4.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause 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.

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.

LAT...LON 3342 11608 3343 11603 3350 11608 3352 11595
      3373 11594 3377 11437 3335 11434 3269 11447
      3268 11474 3272 11472 3262 11610
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 194DEG 21KT 3266 11600 3276 11491

SDB
Special weather statement, Sep 1, 2:03 PM PDT, 0 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 31, 5:43 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementPSRGila47 min
Aug 31, 6:16 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRGila44 min
Aug 31, 7:05 PM PDTDust Storm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal55 min
Aug 31, 7:15 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal45 min
Aug 31, 7:58 PM PDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRPinal3 hr
Aug 31, 8:02 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa, Pinal73 min
Aug 31, 8:14 PM PDTDust Storm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal31 min
Aug 31, 8:24 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementPSRMaricopa66 min
Aug 31, 8:33 PM PDTDust Storm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal83 min
Aug 31, 8:36 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal69 min
Aug 31, 8:47 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa, Pinal58 min
Aug 31, 9:11 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa35 min
Aug 31, 9:18 PM PDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRMaricopa, Pinal117 min
Aug 31, 9:45 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa60 min
Aug 31, 10:00 PM PDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa3 hr
Aug 31, 10:12 PM PDTDust Storm WarningPSRLa Paz, Maricopa63 min
Aug 31, 11:05 PM PDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRMaricopa3 hr
Sep 1, 1:18 AM PDTAreal Flood WarningPSRMaricopa3 hr
Sep 1, 2:54 AM PDTAreal Flood WarningPSRMaricopa4 hr
Sep 1, 11:01 AM PDTSpecial Weather StatementPSRYuma3 hr
Sep 1, 11:33 AM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa, Yuma42 min
Sep 1, 11:42 AM PDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRYuma3 hr
Sep 1, 12:06 PM PDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRMaricopa, Yuma3 hr
Sep 1, 12:19 PM PDTDust Storm AdvisoryPSRLa Paz, Yuma56 min
Sep 1, 12:23 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRLa Paz, Yuma52 min
Sep 1, 12:28 PM PDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRLa Paz, Yuma4 hr
Sep 1, 1:04 PM PDTDust Storm WarningPSRYuma86 min
Sep 1, 1:24 PM PDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRLa Paz6 hr
Sep 1, 1:59 PM PDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRLa Paz, Maricopa3 hr
Sep 1, 2:03 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementPSR42 min
Sep 1, 2:31 PM PDTDust Storm AdvisoryPSRYuma119 min
Sep 1, 4:30 AM PDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRRiverside15 min
Sep 1, 4:45 AM PDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRRiverside4 hr
Sep 1, 12:58 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementPSRImperial3 hr
Sep 1, 1:06 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRImperial39 min
Sep 1, 1:18 PM PDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRImperial4 hr
Sep 1, 1:47 PM PDTDust Storm AdvisoryPSRImperial88 min
Sep 1, 1:50 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRImperial, Riverside55 min
Sep 1, 2:16 PM PDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRRiverside, San Bernardino6 hr
Sep 1, 2:57 PM PDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRImperial, Riverside, San Bernardino6 hr
Sep 1, 3:57 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementPSRImperial93 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in California, 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.