Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 12, NWS Tucson, AZ

July 9, 2026Cochise County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Jul 9, 2026, 6:30 PM MST for Cochise 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 9, 2026, 6:30 PM MST (01:30 UTC)
Expired
Jul 9, 2026, 9:30 PM MST
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Cochise County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:33 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

Santa Teresa, NM (KEPZ), launched 00:00Z, 1.5 hours before the alert went out and 316 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, Santa Teresa, NM at 00:00Z on 2026-07-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 43 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, Santa Teresa, NM at 00:00Z on 2026-07-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 20 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
43 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-57 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3759 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
20 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
68 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

418 
WGUS55 KTWC 100130
FFWTWC
AZC003-100430-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0012.260710T0130Z-260710T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
630 PM MST Thu Jul 9 2026

The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  South Central Cochise County in southeastern Arizona...

* Until 930 PM MST.

* At 630 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
  0.8 and 1.1 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts
  up to 0.8 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
  ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Bisbee, Hereford, Naco and Palominas.

This includes the following highways...
Route 90 near mile marker 336. Route 80 between mile markers 331 and
347. Route 92 between mile markers 337 and 355.

This includes the following Flash Flood Prone Locations...
Davis Rd between HWY 80 & HWY 191.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3133 11017 3137 11018 3147 11008 3162 10994
      3162 10982 3149 10983 3133 10985

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

KJS
2 follow-up statements
289 
WGUS75 KTWC 100231
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
731 PM MST Thu Jul 9 2026

AZC003-100430-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260710T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Cochise AZ-
731 PM MST Thu Jul 9 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM MST THIS
EVENING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL COCHISE COUNTY...

At 731 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
1.5 and 2.2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts
up to 0.4 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Bisbee, Hereford, Naco and Palominas.

This includes the following highways...
Route 90 near mile marker 336. Route 80 between mile markers 331 and
347. Route 92 between mile markers 337 and 355.

This includes the following Flash Flood Prone Locations...
Davis Rd between HWY 80 & HWY 191.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3162 10994 3147 11008 3137 11018 3133 11017
      3133 10985 3149 10983 3162 10982

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

KJS
045 
WGUS75 KTWC 100429
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
929 PM MST Thu Jul 9 2026

AZC003-100439-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260710T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Cochise AZ-
929 PM MST Thu Jul 9 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
SOUTH CENTRAL COCHISE COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3162 10994 3147 11008 3137 11018 3133 11017
      3133 10985 3149 10983 3162 10982

$$

KJS

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 Tucson, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 9, 12:22 PM MST, 6 hours 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 12:22 PM MST, 6 hours 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
1222 PM MST Thu Jul 9 2026

.SYNOPSIS...Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms through
Friday, with an increase in storm chances and coverage over the
weekend through early next week. Hot temperatures today, lowering
over the weekend into early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...A flat ridge of high pressure will extend from the
eastern Pacific across northern Baja and into western Arizona
through Friday. Over the weekend, the ridge shifts northeast to
north of the Four Corners. The ridge continues to move northeast
early to mid next week when it will be centered over the high and
central plains. By the following weekend, the upper high shifts
westward back into the Four Corners region.

With the upper high in close proximity, Heat continues to be a
concern today, with high temperatures topping out 4-7 degrees above
normal. An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect through 8 pm MST
this evening for much of Pima County, south-central and southeast
Pinal County and the Gila River Valley of Graham County. For more
information on this product, please refer to PHXNPWTWC.

Blended total precipitable water satellite imagery shows PW values
currently ranging from 0.80" in the White Mountains to 1.10"-1.25"
along the International Border. PW values will remain relatively
unchanged through Friday across the eastern half of the forecast
area, while the models forecast a gulf surge to bring in higher PW's
over the far western deserts. Isolated to scattered thunderstorm
chances today and Friday will be roughly east of a line from
Hannagan Meadow to Tucson to Nogales. The steering flow remains
northeast to southwest at 10-15 mph. The main threats today will be
gusty outflow winds to 45+ mph, blowing dust along Interstate 10 in
Cochise County, as well as brief localized heavy rainfall with the
strongest storms. The same threats exist on Friday, although wind
gust potential diminishes slightly into the 40-45 mph range.

This weekend into early next, the steering flow shifts to an east to
west direction, as the upper high becomes centered north/northeast
of the Four Corners. PW's are forecasted increase into the 1.25"-
1.50" range areawide and flash flooding will become a concern.
Thunderstorm chances/coverage increase over the weekend to include
all of southeast Arizona. In addition, the mid-level steering flow
looks favorable for the potential for some clustering of storms
and/or organized convection which could lead to an enhanced severe
threat. The active pattern continues into early next week. WPC has a
large portion of our forecast area highlighted for a Marginal Risk
of Excessive Rainfall Saturday through Monday. High temperatures
over the weekend will lower to right around normal, which is the
lower 100s in the lower deserts from Tucson westward and in the Gila
River Valley, with mid to upper 90s in the lower elevation locations
of Santa Cruz and Cochise counties. By early next week, forecasted
high temperatures will lower to 1-3 degrees below normal.

By mid next week, PW's are forecasted to be in the 1.0"-1.25" range
from Tucson eastward and in 1.25"-1.50" range across the lower
deserts as the upper high shifts east into the central plains. This
pattern will still result in a favorable monsoon flow across
southeast Arizona, with the continuation of a daily chance for
showers/thunderstorms, as well as a daily risk of isolated severe
storms and/or flash flooding.

Overall, a favorable monsoon flow has arrived and looks to be in
place through at least the following weekend. There will be day to
day variability in thunderstorm chances/coverage, along with typical
monsoon hazards.

&&

.AVIATION...Valid through 11/00Z.
FEW-SCT (locally BKN) clouds at 8k-11k ft AGL and ISOLD-SCT -SHRA/
-TSRA. There is the potential for outflow winds up to 45 kts thru
10/04Z. Clouds and storms diminishing between 10/04Z and 10/17Z. Aft
10/19Z through the end of the forecast period, SCT-BKN clouds at 8k-
11k ft AGL and ISOLD-SCT -SHRA/-TSRA mainly east of KTUS. Outside of
any thunderstorm outflows, SFC wind generally less than 12 kts,
favoring a WLY/NWLY direction during the afternoon/early evening
hours and variable in direction at other times. The exception will
be in the Gila River Valley near KSAD aft 10/19Z thru the end of the
valid period, where SFC wind will be 15-20 kts with gusts to 30 kts.
Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Above normal high temperatures (4-7 degrees) today,
with highs lowering to around normal over the upcoming weekend.
Gusty northwest winds of 15-20 mph and gusts to around 30 mph in the
Gila River Valley Friday afternoon/early evening. Min RH values in
the lower elevations in the 13-20 percent range through Friday,
increasing 5-10 percent by late in the weekend into early next week.
Outside of any thunderstorm outflow winds, 20-foot winds will
generally be less than 15 mph into early next week, except in the
Gila River Valley on Friday. There will be a daily chance of showers
and thunderstorms mainly during the afternoon/evening hours through
Friday. Increasing thunderstorm chances and coverage are expected
over the weekend through early next week.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
 Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM MST this evening for AZZ501-
 502-504>506-509.

&&

Zell

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In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 9, 2:04 PM MST, 4 hours 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
204 PM MST Thu Jul 9 2026

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

0509 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Sells               31.92N 111.85W
07/08/2026                   Pima               AZ   Trained Spotter

            Powerlines down from severe storm in Sells.
            Time estimated based on radar.

&&

JRM
Local storm report, Jul 9, 3:05 PM MST, 3 hours 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
305 PM MST Thu Jul 9 2026

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

0509 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 E Sells               31.92N 111.85W
07/08/2026                   Pima               AZ   Trained Spotter

            Corrects previous non-tstm wnd dmg report
            from 1 E Sells. Powerlines down from severe
            storm in Sells. Time estimated based on
            radar.

&&

JRM
Local storm report, Jul 9, 5:35 PM MST, 55 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
535 PM MST Thu Jul 9 2026

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

0428 PM     Dust Storm       33 SSW Duncan           32.27N 109.23W
07/09/2026                   Cochise            AZ   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Visibility near zero due to dust storm.

&&

KJS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 9, 5:27 PM MSTDust Storm AdvisoryTWCCochise63 min
Jul 9, 6:07 PM MSTDust Storm AdvisoryTWCCochise, Pima, Santa Cruz53 min
Jul 10, 9:29 AM MSTBlowing Dust AdvisoryTWCCochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Santa Cruz11 hr
Jul 10, 4:40 PM MSTDust Storm WarningTWCCochise80 min

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.