Special Weather Statement, NWS Phoenix, AZ

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
425 PM MST Wed Aug 19 2026

.UPDATE...00Z Aviation Discussion

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening
  across eastern and south-central Arizona. Strong gusty winds,
  blowing dust and locally heavy rainfall will be possible.

- Temperatures are forecast to remain several degrees above daily
  normals through the rest of the week with lower desert highs
  ranging between 107-113 degrees and overnight lows generally in
  the mid 80s to low 90s.

- Extreme Heat Warnings are in effect through Sunday evening due
  to continued areas of major HeatRisk.

- Thunderstorm chances will continue through Thursday before
  decreasing in coverage by Friday or Saturday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
This evening and tonight remains to look promising with
thunderstorm and showers likely developing in the eastern AZ high
terrain and in Southern AZ. The subtropical ridge has promoted
easterly winds across the region and a gulf surge has lead an
increase in moisture with current PWATs between 1.5-1.6" for most
of south central AZ. This is a notable increase from 24 hours ago
where PWATs were generally between 1.2-1.3" across south central.
This moisture is expected to stay throughout today and tomorrow as
mixing ratios start to improve by this evening ranging between
10-12 g/kg. Current mesoscale analysis is already showing that the
high levels of CIN from this morning's 12Z sounding are starting
to erode to near or below 100 J/kg with forecast models continuing
to show further eroding by this evening to mostly below 100 J/kg.
Additionally, MUCAPE forecasted to climb to at least 1000 J/kg
across all of southern and most of central Arizona to as high as
2000-2250 J/kg across southeast Arizona by early afternoon. Models
are in great agreement in scattered thunderstorms starting to
develop along the Mogollon Rim into the White Mtns and over
portions of southeast Arizona. With these storms outflows are very
likely and it is very plausible we will have colliding outflows
somewhere over the Phoenix metro late this evening giving rise to
additional storm development. SPC has upgraded Pinal County,
portions of southern Maricopa County, and the southern tip of Gila
County into a slight risk for severe storms and a Marginal risk
still remains across the remainder of Gila, and Maricopa County
for today. We also can't rule out the threat for localized heavy
rainfall today, but storm movement should be enough to keep most
storms from producing more than an inch or so over any particular
location, but WPC has kept our region only in a Marginal risk for
excessive rainfall for today and tomorrow.

In addition to the chances for thunderstorms, another major impact
will be strong gusts and localized areas of dense blowing dust. With
the strong to severe storms likely tonight damaging winds will be a
concern, with DCAPE values forecasted  up to 1600, strong outflows
are projected for tonight. HREF currently shows a 50-70% chance of
gusts above 35 mph by this evening in eastern Maricopa County and
Pinal County. Due to these conditions a Blowing Dust Advisory
remains in place until 10PM MST tonight.

Models are continuing to show Thursday being another fairly active
weather day as moisture will remain plentiful across the area and
the subtropical high center moves to over the Four Corners area.
However, depending on how active tonight ends up being the
atmosphere may be too worked over by tomorrow evening to produce
much in terms of severe storms, and lingering clouds well into the
morning hours may also inhibit heating, keeping instability lower
than today. That being said, if today is not as active as
anticipated, Thursday is likely to be the biggest storm coverage
day.

Hot and humid conditions are expected today with lower desert
afternoon highs between 108-112 degrees, but much higher heat
indices are forecast for locations across southeast California
through the Lower CO River Valley. Expect late afternoon heat
indices of 113-120 degrees in the aforementioned areas.
Temperatures are more uncertain for Thursday due to potential
impacts from storms this evening and lingering clouds, but NBM
guidance indicates very similar highs and heat indices again
breaching 110 degrees over the majority of the lower deserts.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Hot and somewhat humid conditions are expected to prevail through
the upcoming weekend with a high probability of the Extreme Heat
Warnings being extended soon. Forecast uncertainty has been an
issue for late this week into the weekend as storm chances were
higher with model runs earlier this week. However, it now seems
more likely than not drier air will move into the area beginning
Friday leading to much more limited shower and storm chances
through the upcoming weekend. The lower storm coverage and fairly
consistent upper level heights should keep daily highs right
around 110 degrees or even a couple degrees above through the
weekend. Guidance does hint at some better moisture advecting into
the area early next week, but the latest trends show the ridge
center drifting back toward our region. If that holds true, our
convective potential should remain on the lower side with little
to no relief from the hot temperatures.

&&

.AVIATION...Updated at 2325Z.

South Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT:
Main aviation concern during the TAF period continues to be gusty
outflow winds and VCTS/VCSH this evening. What direction potential
outflow, or even outflows, is highly conditional on convective
evolution over high terrain area and Southeast Arizona, but
confidence is higher that any boundary should contain some degree
of an easterly component. Current TAFs favor a SE outflow, which,
if strong enough, would bring BLDU impacts to the terminals,
especially at KIWA. Outflows may trigger convection in the
vicinity of the airports which may lower VIS and create gusty and
erratic winds. However, these storms will also be highly
conditional on outflow evolution. Lingering showers cannot be
ruled through about 09Z, but conditions should dry out after that.
Outside of this evening and early tonight, winds should follow
familiar diurnal trends, with period of variability during the
morning hours.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:
No aviation weather concerns will exist through the next 24 hours
under FEW-SCT high cloud decks. Winds at KIPL will favor a
southeasterly component while a southerly component will be common
at KBLH. Periods of VRB conditions cannot be ruled out around dawn
at each terminal. There is a low possibility of an easterly
outflow from distant thunderstorms reaching KBLH late tonight, but
chances are too low to warrant mention in the TAF at this time..

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
For today, expect above normal temperatures with increasing
moisture and rain chances. Scattered thunderstorms producing
gusty winds are likely to impact the eastern districts from late
afternoon through this evening. Elevated moisture levels will
persist through Thursday with additional chances for scattered
showers and storms before some slight drying and lower rain
chances occurs Friday into the weekend. MinRHs of 20-30% are
anticipated through Thursday before lowering to 15-25% beginning
Friday. Outside of gusty and erratic winds near any thunderstorm,
overall winds will follow the typical diurnal tendencies with some
modest afternoon upslope gustiness.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM MST Sunday for AZZ530>544-546-
     548>551-553>555-559-560.

     Blowing Dust Advisory until 10 PM MST this evening for
     AZZ538>540-550-551-553-554-559.

CA...Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM PDT Sunday for CAZ562-565>567-
     569-570.

&&

SHORT TERM...Ryan/Kuhlman
LONG TERM...Kuhlman
AVIATION...RW
FIRE WEATHER...Kuhlman

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
935 PM MST Wed Aug 19 2026

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

0910 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     10 ESE Queen Creek      33.16N 111.49W
08/19/2026  M61 MPH          Pinal              AZ   Mesonet

            Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
            from 10 ESE Queen Creek. An automated
            weather station reported a maximum wind gust
            of 61 mph as a thunderstorm outflow moved
            through the area. Mesonet station SRP22 10.9
            NW Florence (SRP).

&&

TW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
958 PM MST Wed Aug 19 2026

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

0948 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 SE Phoenix Mesa Gatew 33.30N 111.65W
08/19/2026  M63 MPH          Maricopa           AZ   AWOS

            The automated weather station at Mesa
            Gateway airport reported a maximum wind gust
            of 63 mph. AWOS station KIWA Mesa Gateway
            Airport.

&&

TW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1002 PM MST Wed Aug 19 2026

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

0931 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 SE Chandler           33.27N 111.82W
08/19/2026  M59 MPH          Maricopa           AZ   AWOS

            The automated weather station at Chandler
            Airport reported a maximum wind gust of 59
            mph. AWOS station KCHD Chandler.

&&

TW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1023 PM MST Wed Aug 19 2026

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

0958 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Sky Harbor Airport      33.43N 112.02W
08/19/2026  M68 MPH          Maricopa           AZ   ASOS

            The automated weather station at Phoenix Sky
            Harbor Airport reported a maximum wind gust
            of 68 mph. ASOS station KPHX Phoenix Sky
            Hrbr.

&&

TW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1025 PM MST Wed Aug 19 2026

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

0958 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NNW East Mesa         33.47N 111.72W
08/19/2026  M63 MPH          Maricopa           AZ   AWOS

            The automated weather station at Falcon
            Field Airport reported a maximum wind gust
            of 63 mph. AWOS station KFFZ Mesa Falcon
            Fld.

&&

TW

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1029 PM MST Wed Aug 19 2026

AZZ534-537-538-540>542-544-545-547-557-200630-
Aguila Valley AZ-New River Mesa AZ-Mazatzal Mountains AZ-
Buckeye/Avondale AZ-Cave Creek/New River AZ-Tonopah Desert AZ-
Deer Valley AZ-Northwest Valley AZ-Rio Verde/Salt River AZ-
North Phoenix/Glendale AZ-
1029 PM MST Wed Aug 19 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MARICOPA COUNTY THROUGH 1130 PM
MST...

At 1028 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking an outflow boundary near
New River, moving northwest at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 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, Glendale, Scottsdale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Buckeye,
El Mirage, Youngtown, New River, Sun City West, Waddell, Circle City,
Sun City, Wittmann, Litchfield Park, Cave Creek, Carefree, Deer
Valley Airport, and White Tank Mountain Park.

This includes the following highways...
AZ Interstate 10 between mile markers 116 and 125.
AZ Interstate 17 between mile markers 212 and 241.
US Highway 60 between mile markers 120 and 152.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM MST for
south central Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3400 11160 3392 11152 3340 11254 3369 11279
      3394 11259 3396 11254 3389 11228 3391 11224
      3395 11224 3397 11219 3405 11215
TIME...MOT...LOC 0528Z 129DEG 31KT 3384 11218

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KB