Alert archive / Arizona / Winter Storm Warnings in 2023
Winter Storm Warning 2, NWS Tucson, AZ
NWS Tucson, AZ issued this winter storm warning at Feb 13, 2023, 2:37 PM MST for 5 counties in Arizona. It took effect at Feb 14, 2023, 12:00 PM MST. It was in force for 22 hr. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Feb 13, 2023, 2:37 PM MST (21:37 UTC)
- In effect from
- Feb 14, 2023, 12:00 PM MST
- Expired
- Feb 15, 2023, 10:00 AM MST
- In force
- 22 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Tucson, AZ
Counties Cochise County, AZ, Graham County, AZ, Greenlee County, AZ, Pima County, AZ, Pinal County, AZ
The radar
The Tucson radar (KEMX), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:37 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 8:01 AM MST | SNOW 0.5 | 6 Sw Tucson, AZ | |
| Feb 15, 8:30 AM MST | SNOW 3.5 | 20 Ene Mammoth, AZ | |
| Feb 15, 9:00 AM MST | SNOW 3 | 1 Sw Oracle, AZ | REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER. |
| Feb 15, 9:19 AM MST | SNOW 1.8 | 20 E Green Valley, AZ | SPOTTER REPORTED 1.8 INCHES OF SNOW. ALSO REPORTED ABOUT AN INCH OF SNOW ON HIGHWAY 8. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Tuscon, AZ (KTUS), launched 12:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 67 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1234 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 77 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 77 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 329 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
365 WWUS45 KTWC 132137 WSWTWC URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 237 PM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 AZZ510-511-514-140600- /O.UPG.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T0000Z-230215T1300Z/ /O.NEW.KTWC.WS.W.0002.230214T1900Z-230215T1200Z/ /O.CON.KTWC.WW.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-230214T0600Z/ White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains-Catalina and Rincon Mountains- Including the cities of Hannagan Meadow, Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Summerhaven 237 PM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS EVENING... ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TUESDAY TO 5 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning Tuesday and Tuesday night, heavy snow expected. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph with near blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches. For the Winter Weather Advisory through this evening, expect snow showers with 2 to 4 inches of snow accumulation. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains and Catalina and Rincon Mountains. * WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from noon Tuesday to 5 AM MST Wednesday. For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 11 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ513-140600- /O.EXB.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T1200Z-230215T1800Z/ /O.CON.KTWC.WW.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-230214T0600Z/ Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains- Including the cities of Bisbee and Canelo Hills 237 PM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS EVENING... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory, snow with additional snow accumulations of up to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, snow expected. Total snow accumulations of one to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains. * WHEN...For the first Winter Weather Advisory, until 11 PM MST this evening. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, from 5 AM to 11 AM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ507-508-140600- /O.EXB.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T1200Z-230215T1800Z/ Upper San Pedro River Valley- Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet- 237 PM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of one to two inches in spots. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Upper San Pedro River Valley and Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet. * WHEN...From 5 AM to 11 AM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ512-140600- /O.EXT.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T1200Z-230215T1800Z/ /O.CON.KTWC.WW.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-230214T0600Z/ Chiricahua Mountains- Including the city of Chiricahua NM 237 PM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM MST THIS EVENING... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory, snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph Tuesday night. The combination of falling snow and the gusty winds will produce areas of blowing snow. * WHERE...Chiricahua Mountains. * WHEN...For the first Winter Weather Advisory, until 11 PM MST this evening. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, from 5 AM to 11 AM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Strong winds could cause tree damage. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
7 follow-up statements
171 WWUS45 KTWC 140549 WSWTWC URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 1049 PM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 AZZ510-511-514-141115- /O.EXP.KTWC.WW.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-230214T0600Z/ /O.CON.KTWC.WS.W.0002.230214T1900Z-230215T1200Z/ White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains-Catalina and Rincon Mountains- Including the cities of Hannagan Meadow, Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Summerhaven 1049 PM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TUESDAY TO 5 AM MST WEDNESDAY... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 11 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Additional snow accumulations of 8 to 15 inches. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph. * WHERE...White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains and Catalina and Rincon Mountains. * WHEN...From noon Tuesday to 5 AM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ512-513-141115- /O.EXP.KTWC.WW.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-230214T0600Z/ /O.CON.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T1200Z-230215T1800Z/ Chiricahua Mountains- Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains- Including the cities of Chiricahua NM, Bisbee, and Canelo Hills 1049 PM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 AM MST WEDNESDAY... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 11 PM MST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Snow expected. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...Chiricahua Mountains. * WHEN...From 5 AM to 11 AM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ507-508-141115- /O.CON.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T1200Z-230215T1800Z/ Upper San Pedro River Valley- Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet- 1049 PM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches in some locations. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Upper San Pedro River Valley and Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet. * WHEN...From 5 AM to 11 AM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
789 WWUS45 KTWC 141043 WSWTWC URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 343 AM MST Tue Feb 14 2023 AZZ510-511-514-142300- /O.CON.KTWC.WS.W.0002.230214T1900Z-230215T1200Z/ White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains-Catalina and Rincon Mountains- Including the cities of Hannagan Meadow, Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Summerhaven 343 AM MST Tue Feb 14 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 5 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Additional snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches above 7,000 ft, 3 to 8 inches 5,000 to 7,000 ft and 1 to 3 inches 3,500 ft to 5,000 ft. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph. * WHERE...White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains and Catalina and Rincon Mountains. * WHEN...High winds will begin this afternoon and continue through tonight. Snow will begin this evening and continue into Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ507-508-512-513-142300- /O.CON.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T1200Z-230215T1800Z/ Upper San Pedro River Valley- Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet-Chiricahua Mountains- Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains- Including the cities of Willcox, Chiricahua NM, and Bisbee 343 AM MST Tue Feb 14 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches are expected in the mountains above 5,000 feet with 1 to 2 inches elevations below 5,000 feet. * WHERE...Upper San Pedro River Valley and Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet as well as the Chiricahua, Dragoon, Mule, Huachuca and Santa Rita mountains. * WHEN...From 5 AM to 11 AM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ Cerniglia Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
308 WWUS45 KTWC 142021 WSWTWC URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 121 PM MST Tue Feb 14 2023 AZZ510-511-514-151200- /O.CON.KTWC.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230215T1200Z/ White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains-Catalina and Rincon Mountains- Including the cities of Hannagan Meadow, Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Summerhaven 121 PM MST Tue Feb 14 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Snow accumulations of 8 to 18 inches above 7,000 ft, 3 to 8 inches 5,000 to 7,000 ft and 1 to 3 inches 3,500 ft to 5,000 ft. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph. * WHERE...White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains and Catalina and Rincon Mountains. * WHEN...High winds will begin this afternoon and continue through tonight. Snow will begin this evening and continue into Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ507-508-512-513-151200- /O.CON.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T1200Z-230215T1800Z/ Upper San Pedro River Valley- Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet-Chiricahua Mountains- Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains- Including the cities of Willcox, Chiricahua NM, and Bisbee 121 PM MST Tue Feb 14 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches are expected in the mountains above 5,000 feet with 1 to 2 inches elevations below 5,000 feet. * WHERE...Upper San Pedro River Valley and Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet as well as the Chiricahua, Dragoon, Mule, Huachuca and Santa Rita mountains. * WHEN...From 5 AM to 11 AM MST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
211 WWUS45 KTWC 150829 WSWTWC URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 129 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 AZZ507-151100- /O.CAN.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T1200Z-230215T1800Z/ /O.NEW.KTWC.WW.Y.0004.230215T0829Z-230215T1100Z/ Upper San Pedro River Valley- Including the cities of Sierra Vista and Benson 129 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM MST EARLY THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Periods of snow this morning with a dusting to a bit more than an inch accumulation expected. Temperatures falling to around freezing with winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Upper San Pedro River Valley. * WHEN...Until 4 AM MST this morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Temperatures dropping to around freezing may make for local icy conditions, especially on area bridges which can freeze up more quickly. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ510-511-514-151200- /O.CON.KTWC.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230215T1200Z/ White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains-Catalina and Rincon Mountains- Including the cities of Hannagan Meadow, Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Summerhaven 129 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches above 7,000 ft, 3 to 8 inches 5,000 to 7,000 ft and 1 to 3 inches 3,500 ft to 5,000 ft. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph. * WHERE...White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains and Catalina and Rincon Mountains. * WHEN...High winds will begin to taper off through the early morning hours behind the cold front. \ * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ504-509-151100- /O.NEW.KTWC.WW.Y.0004.230215T0829Z-230215T1100Z/ Tucson Metro Area-Upper Gila River Valley- Including the cities of Tucson, Green Valley, Marana, Vail, Clifton, and Safford 129 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM MST EARLY THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Periods of snow through 4 am. Generally less than an inch in the downtown area with an inch or a bit more in the outlying areas especially elevations above 2,800 ft. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Tucson Metro Area and Upper Gila River Valley. * WHEN...Until 4 AM MST early this morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Temperatures dropping to around freezing may make for local icy conditions, especially on area bridges which can freeze up more quickly. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ508-512-513-151630- /O.EXT.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.230215T1100Z-230215T1800Z/ Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet-Chiricahua Mountains- Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains- Including the cities of Willcox, Chiricahua NM, and Bisbee 129 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches are expected in the mountains above 5,000 feet with 1 to 2 inches elevations below 5,000 feet. * WHERE...Upper San Pedro River Valley and Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet as well as the Chiricahua, Dragoon, Mule, Huachuca and Santa Rita mountains. * WHEN...Until 11 AM MST this morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ Cerniglia Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
202 WWUS45 KTWC 151101 WSWTWC URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 401 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 AZZ504-507-509-151215- /O.EXP.KTWC.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-230215T1100Z/ Tucson Metro Area-Upper San Pedro River Valley- Upper Gila River Valley- Including the cities of Tucson, Green Valley, Marana, Vail, Sierra Vista, Benson, Clifton, and Safford 401 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 4 AM MST EARLY THIS MORNING... Snowfall has ended. $$ AZZ510-511-514-151215- /O.CON.KTWC.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230215T1200Z/ White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains-Catalina and Rincon Mountains- Including the cities of Hannagan Meadow, Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Summerhaven 401 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST EARLY THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains and Catalina and Rincon Mountains. * WHEN...Until 5 AM MST early this morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ508-512-513-151800- /O.CON.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-230215T1800Z/ Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet-Chiricahua Mountains- Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains- Including the cities of Willcox, Chiricahua NM, and Bisbee 401 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet, Chiricahua Mountains and Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains. * WHEN...Until 11 AM MST this morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
544 WWUS45 KTWC 151143 WSWTWC URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 443 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 AZZ510-511-514-151700- /O.EXT.KTWC.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230215T1700Z/ White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains-Catalina and Rincon Mountains- Including the cities of Hannagan Meadow, Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Summerhaven 443 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM MST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains and Catalina and Rincon Mountains. * WHEN...Until 10 AM MST this morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ507-509-151700- /O.EXB.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-230215T1700Z/ Upper San Pedro River Valley-Upper Gila River Valley- Including the cities of Sierra Vista, Benson, Clifton, and Safford 443 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM MST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Upper San Pedro River Valley and Upper Gila River Valley. * WHEN...Until 10 AM MST this morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AZZ508-512-513-151700- /O.EXT.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-230215T1700Z/ Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet-Chiricahua Mountains- Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains- Including the cities of Willcox, Chiricahua NM, and Bisbee 443 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM MST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet, Chiricahua Mountains and Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains. * WHEN...Until 10 AM MST this morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
755 WWUS45 KTWC 151702 WSWTWC URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 1002 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 AZZ510-511-514-151815- /O.EXP.KTWC.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230215T1700Z/ White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains-Catalina and Rincon Mountains- Including the cities of Hannagan Meadow, Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Summerhaven 1002 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING HAS EXPIRED... The storm system is moving east. Little if any additional snowfall is expected. $$ AZZ507>509-512-513-151815- /O.EXP.KTWC.WW.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-230215T1700Z/ Upper San Pedro River Valley- Eastern Cochise County below 5000 feet-Upper Gila River Valley- Chiricahua Mountains- Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains- Including the cities of Sierra Vista, Benson, Willcox, Clifton, Safford, Chiricahua NM, and Bisbee 1002 AM MST Wed Feb 15 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED... The storm system is moving east. Little if any additional snowfall is expected. $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this winter storm 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 winter storm warning went out at Feb 13, 3:19 AM MST, 11 hours 18 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 13, 3:19 AM MST, 11 hours 18 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 319 AM MST Mon Feb 13 2023 .SYNOPSIS...Three winter storms will be impacting the area this week. The first storm will be affecting the area today with showers, breezy winds, a slight chance of thunderstorms and cooler temperatures. The second storm will generate strong winds Tuesday and Tuesday night and bring even colder temperatures and a chance of more precipitation Tuesday night and Wednesday. Very cold morning lows likely Thursday morning. The third winter storm moves in late next weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Unusually complex weather pattern (for here) for the next few days with a variety of headlines going up with more to follow. For today, an upper low nearly over Yuma this hour will move to near Tucson this evening and off to the east overnight. This storm will generate gusty (typical) southwest winds across the area, spread showers west to east across southern AZ with snow above 5,000 ft give or take a little along with dramatically cooler afternoon temperatures compared to yesterday. May see some light snow late in the day places like Oracle, however accumulating snows will generally be confined above 5,500 feet. We have a winter weather advisory in effect for the mountains to account for that with snow amounts about the same as we have been going with, 6-12 inches above 7,000 ft and 2-5 inches in the 5-7,000 ft band. For the valleys, still looking at 1-2 tenths of an inch of rain on average. Then storm number two will impact the area later Tuesday into Wednesday with three impactful aspects to it. The first impact, the storm will drop south into the area and looks to produce strong winds, stronger for a large area than we have seen in quite awhile. It has a wind field look of a storm that occurred on April 8th, 2013 which had widespread high end advisory winds (30-39 mph sustained low elevations) with some areas meeting high wind criteria (40 mph or higher with gusts 58 mph or higher low elevations). 700 mb winds with this system reach 60 kts and we will be mixed to or nearly to that level. At this point, it is looking like advisory level winds developing central western Pima county late Tuesday morning and spreading northeastward across the remainder of the area through the afternoon with the peak winds occurring Tuesday night in advance of the southward moving trough and associated front. Given the strong winds aloft and time of day (overnight) of the peak winds the mountains stand a good chance of reaching warning criteria (45 mph or greater sustained and greater than 65 mph gusts for the mountains). Two lower elevation locations also stand a good chance of reaching high wind and that is the Sierra Vista area downwind of the Huachuca Mountains and models are highlighting the area around Oracle as well. So at this time I have issued a high wind watch for the mountains and the Sierra Vista and Oracle areas. Unfortunately it will highlight large zones when the concern is for those two locations. As far as Wind Advisory, it is a bit beyond the timeframe for issuing one but that will likely happen later today. Plus there is some concern we may need to add to the high wind area rather than advisory. Another model run should help with that. Of note, the given blend appears to be very high with wind speeds, higher than other guidance and seems overdone with speeds and spreading the wind over too long of a time period (ie, behind the front/trof). Have adjusted it using MOS and some deterministic guidance. Impact two, precipitation. This system will drive colder air southward with precipitation. However, as is typical the coldest air is arriving after the bulk of the precip has occurred. Snow levels start around 6,000 feet Tuesday evening when the precip starts then crashes to around 2,500 ft as the precip is ending. At any rate, I issued a snow advisory for the mountains for snowfall amounts similar to todays storm. For the low elevations still have the potential for a light coating (around the Tucson area) to near an inch points further east. This will need to be watched carefully over the next 48 hours due to the fact if the precip lingers just an extra hour or two longer, we could easily exceed the 1 inch threshold for a lowland snow advisory in places. Precip ends Wednesday morning as the storm exits the region. However the cold air following the storm will be the third impact of very cold low temperatures Thursday morning. The cold and very dry air mass combined with light winds and clear skies will bring sub- freezing temps area wide with hard freeze conditions likely from the Tucson area south and east. Some locations will get close to record lows. Beyond that, dry with a gradual warmup into the first half of the weekend although it will remain cooler than normal. Then a third storm system is expected to affect the area late next weekend into the following week. && .AVIATION...Valid through 14/12Z. SCT-BKN clouds 4k-6k ft AGL with ISOLD to SCT -SHRA west of Tucson. This area of lower clouds and showers will gradually move east impacting KTUS and KOLS by around 13/15z with contd movement east thru the end of valid pd. Mtns will be obscd at times during 2nd half of valid pd. There is up to a 25% chance of thunder aft 13/18z but will not put into the TAFs at this time. SLY winds 5-12 kts thru 13/15z then SLY/SWLY winds incrg 15-25 kts with gusts up to 35 kts during thru end of valid pd. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...A couple of weather systems are expected to impact the area through midweek. The first will move across the region today with another system late Tuesday into Wednesday. Along with the cooler temperatures, expect gusty winds today and very strong winds late Tuesday into Tuesday night. There is a threat of wetting precipitation with the passage of these systems along with a few thunderstorms today. The second system will likely have low snow levels although precipitation is expected to be fairly light in the valleys. Accumulating snows are expected across elevations above about 5,500 ft with todays system while the second system may have some accumulations as low as 2,800 ft. A third storm system is expected to affect the area late next weekend. && .CLIMATE...Active week ahead with a couple winter storms moving across the area. A rather cold air mass will accompany the 2nd system midweek with near record low temperatures Thursday morning February 16th. Location Forecast Low Record low Chance of record Tucson Intl 26 21 in 1910 3% Willcox 13 9 in 1964 54% Tombstone 19 18 in 1928 64% Douglas 15 12 in 1990 44% Ajo 31 30 in 1921 28% && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Watch from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening for AZZ506. Winter Weather Advisory until 11 PM MST this evening for AZZ510>514. Winter Weather Advisory from 5 PM Tuesday to 6 AM MST Wednesday for AZZ510-511-514. High Wind Watch from Tuesday afternoon through late Tuesday night for AZZ507-510>514. Winter Weather Advisory from 11 PM Tuesday to 11 AM MST Wednesday for AZZ512. && Public...Cerniglia Aviation...Cerniglia Fire Weather....Cerniglia Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
The office that day
Everything else NWS Tucson, AZ issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 13, 3:39 AM MST | High Wind Watch | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz | 11 hr |
| Feb 13, 2:34 PM MST | High Wind Warning | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Pima, Santa Cruz | 38 hr |
| Feb 13, 2:34 PM MST | Wind Advisory | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz | 38 hr |
Nearby
Winter Storm Warnings in Arizona, 2023Every winter storm 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.