Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 49, NWS Flagstaff, AZ

July 20, 2026Gila County, Arizona

NWS Flagstaff, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Jul 20, 2026, 6:39 PM MST for Gila County, Arizona. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 20, 2026, 6:39 PM MST (01:39 UTC)
Expired
Jul 20, 2026, 9:45 PM MST
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Gila County, AZ

The radar

The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:43 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Phoenix, AZ (KPSR), launched 00:00Z, 1.7 hours before the alert went out and 104 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 00:00Z on 2026-07-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 107 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 00:00Z on 2026-07-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 2 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
107 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-200 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2659 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
2 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
86 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

547 
WGUS55 KFGZ 210139
FFWFGZ
AZC007-210445-
/O.NEW.KFGZ.FF.W.0049.260721T0139Z-260721T0445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
639 PM MST Mon Jul 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  The Billy Fire scar in...
  Gila County in east central Arizona...

* Until 945 PM MST.

* At 639 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain over the Billy Fire scar. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain
  has fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.25 to 0.75 inches are
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
           flash flooding in and around the Billy Fire scar.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the
           Billy Fire scar.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Sierra Ancha Wilderness.

This includes State Route 288 between mile markers 273 and 286.

This includes the following recreation areas and campgrounds...
Reynolds Creek Campground, Rose Creek Campground, Coon Creek
Campground and Elks Youth Camp.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Flash flooding downstream of the Billy Fire scar is imminent or
occurring. Low water crossings will quickly become inundated and
impassable. Do not attempt to cross flooded roadways, and stay away
from creeks, streams and washes.

&&

LAT...LON 3388 11105 3388 11087 3377 11080 3365 11079
      3367 11081 3369 11083 3368 11085 3376 11090
      3372 11093 3365 11090 3364 11092 3375 11098
      3376 11099 3384 11099

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

McCollum
1 follow-up statement
216 
WGUS75 KFGZ 210436
FFSFGZ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
936 PM MST Mon Jul 20 2026

AZC007-210446-
/O.EXP.KFGZ.FF.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260721T0445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Gila AZ-
936 PM MST Mon Jul 20 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE BILLY FIRE SCAR WILL EXPIRE AT 945 PM
MST THIS EVENING FOR GILA COUNTY...

The heavy rain over the Billy Fire Scar has ended. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat.

&&

LAT...LON 3388 11105 3388 11087 3377 11080 3365 11079
      3367 11081 3369 11083 3368 11085 3376 11090
      3372 11093 3365 11090 3364 11092 3375 11098
      3376 11099 3384 11099

$$

McCollum

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 Flagstaff, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 20, 4:54 PM MST, 1 hour 45 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 20, 4:54 PM MST, 1 hour 45 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
454 PM MST Mon Jul 20 2026

.SYNOPSIS...Deep monsoonal moisture will remain over the area
through at least mid week, with a slight decrease later in the
week. With this moisture comes the daily threat of thunderstorms,
along with the risk for locally heavy rainfall and flooding. Daytime
temperatures will remain at or below normal much of the week, with
hotter temperatures possible toward the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...An active monsoon pattern is forecast to remain in
place across northern Arizona for the next several days as a
ridge of high pressure centered over Colorado continues to pump
deep sub-tropical moisture into the region. Precipitable water
(PW) values are exceptionally high for mid-July, with guidance
showing an inch or more across northern Arizona, surface dew
points in the 50s at higher elevations, and dew points in the 60s
at lower elevations.

High-resolution model guidance indicates unusually high
instability today, with CAPE values, a measure of atmospheric
instability, ranging from 1000 to 2500 J/kg across the area. The
highest instability is concentrated along and south of the
Mogollon Rim. Coincident with the areas of highest instability,
pockets of 0-6km wind shear between 20 and 30 knots are forecast.
These shear values are higher than typically observed in mid-
July, and is expected to enhance storm organization and the severe
weather threat. As a result, we will be monitoring for flash
flooding alongside a moderate risk for powerful storms capable of
producing large hail and damaging wind gusts. Convective
development is expected to increase over the higher terrain
around noon before storms drift westward at 5-10 mph.

The monsoon high pressure cell is forecast to remain relatively
stationary over the next few days, ensuring that deep moisture
stays locked in place across northern Arizona. On Tuesday, an
inverted trough will move along the western side of the ridge and
track across Arizona, passing overhead on Wednesday. This feature
may provide additional dynamical lift to aid convective
development.

From Thursday onward, a shift in the synoptic pattern is
anticipated as the majority of model guidance shows the monsoon
high pressure cell strengthening and migrating westward. This
retrograding position will bring warming aloft, resulting in more
stable conditions. Under this scenario, we would see a downward
trend in storm activity and a gradual warming trend through the
end of the week. However, this shift will not bring a complete
shutdown in monsoon activity. The extended forecast maintains
probability of precipitation values of 30-50% over the higher
terrain, and 30% or less for the lower elevations.

&&

.AVIATION...Tuesday 21/00Z through Wednesday 22/00Z...Scattered
to numerous SHRA/TSRA will continue through 06Z. KPGA has
remained dry and will continue to stay dry through 05Z. Stronger
storms this evening will be capable of producing wind gusts 30-45
kt, hail, and brief MVFR and IFR conditions. After 06Z, activity
becoming isolated to low-end scattered. Localized IFR conditions
due to low clouds and fog are possible during the overnight hours.
Outside of storms, winds light and variable. Another active day
is expected of monsoon storms is expected Tuesday. Expect
scattered to numerous SHRA/TSRA with isolated +TSRA from late
Tuesday morning (~17Z) through the afternoon hours (~00Z). The
primary threat will be MVFR to IFR conditions in heavy rain. Gusty
outflow winds up to 45 kts and hail are also possible.

OUTLOOK...Wednesday 22/00Z through Friday 24/00Z...Expect
scattered to numerous SHRA/TSRA and isolated +TSRA Through
Wednesday, then as monsoon moisture decreases SHRA/TSRA coverage
will become scattered, but will continue to develop during the
late morning through late afternoon hours Thursday and Friday. Any
stronger storms will produce brief MVFR to IFR conditions. Some
IFR low clouds and fog possible, mainly for overnight hours.
Outside of storms, expect light winds around 5-10 kts.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Today and Tuesday...A medium to high grade
monsoon environment continues, with generally light winds outside of
outflow and thunderstorm activity. Most storms will produce wetting
rain and any stronger storms may produce flash flooding and hail,
especially through Tuesday evening.

Thursday through Saturday...Chances for showers and thunderstorms
continue, though coverage will decrease somewhat. Generally light
winds outside of outflow and thunderstorm activity. Most storms will
produce wetting rain and any stronger storms may produce localized
flash flooding. Expect a warming trend and minimum RH back to around
20% for the lowest elevations.

&&

.FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening for
AZZ004>009-012>018-039-040.

&&

PUBLIC...RR
AVIATION...Schank
FIRE WEATHER...Zanker

For Northern Arizona weather information visit
weather.gov/flagstaff

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 20, 6:02 PM MST, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
602 PM MST Mon Jul 20 2026

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

0320 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     6 ENE Dilkon            35.44N 110.23W
07/20/2026                   Navajo             AZ   Public

            Pictures on social media showed metal frame
            greenhouses damaged, with some poles bent.
            Photos also showed a large tree uprooted and
            large branches broken off.

&&

JLS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 20, 5:37 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino, Gila, Navajo38 min
Jul 20, 6:36 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZGila24 min
Jul 20, 7:00 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZGila3 hr
Jul 20, 7:25 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZApache35 min
Jul 20, 7:57 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZApache, Navajo33 min
Jul 20, 8:05 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZGila3 hr
Jul 21, 12:15 AM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZCoconino30 min
Jul 21, 12:55 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementFGZ35 min
Jul 21, 1:06 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZApache24 min
Jul 21, 1:33 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZCoconino, Gila3 hr
Jul 21, 1:56 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGZApache34 min
Jul 21, 3:30 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZNavajo3 hr
Jul 21, 4:55 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatFGZYavapai3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.