Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 159, NWS Tucson, AZ

August 29, 2026Pima County, Santa Cruz County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Aug 29, 2026, 2:30 PM MST for Pima County, Santa Cruz 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
Aug 29, 2026, 2:30 PM MST (21:30 UTC)
Expired
Aug 29, 2026, 5:30 PM MST
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Pima County, AZ, Santa Cruz County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 23 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:33 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

Phoenix, AZ (KPSR), launched 12:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 232 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 12:00Z on 2026-08-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 769 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 12:00Z on 2026-08-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 12 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
769 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-162 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2570 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
12 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
53 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

030 
WGUS55 KTWC 292130
FFWTWC
AZC019-023-300030-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0159.260829T2130Z-260830T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
230 PM MST Sat Aug 29 2026

The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Pima County in southeastern Arizona...
  Northeastern Santa Cruz County in southeastern Arizona...

* Until 530 PM MST.

* At 230 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible
  in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  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...
  Sonoita and Elgin.

This includes the following highways...
Route 82 between mile markers 23 and 43. Route 83 between mile
markers 22 and 36.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.

Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.
Washes, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a
matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.

&&

LAT...LON 3173 11065 3174 11061 3178 11059 3177 11051
      3175 11046 3167 11049 3164 11053 3157 11058
      3158 11064 3157 11075 3170 11070 3173 11066

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

JRM
2 follow-up statements
553 
WGUS75 KTWC 292337
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
437 PM MST Sat Aug 29 2026

AZC019-023-300030-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0159.000000T0000Z-260830T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Pima AZ-Santa Cruz AZ-
437 PM MST Sat Aug 29 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN PIMA AND NORTHEASTERN SANTA CRUZ
COUNTIES...

At 437 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have
fallen. Flooding impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is
expected. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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...
  Sonoita and Elgin.

This includes the following highways...
Route 82 between mile markers 24 and 27...and between mile markers 30
and 40. Route 83 between mile markers 22 and 34.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.

Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.
Washes, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a
matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.

&&

LAT...LON 3172 11065 3172 11060 3178 11059 3176 11053
      3172 11053 3167 11052 3164 11053 3162 11055
      3157 11058 3158 11063 3161 11063 3160 11066
      3159 11073 3165 11071 3169 11066

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

JRM
237 
WGUS75 KTWC 300022
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
522 PM MST Sat Aug 29 2026

AZC019-023-300032-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0159.000000T0000Z-260830T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Pima AZ-Santa Cruz AZ-
522 PM MST Sat Aug 29 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 530 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
SOUTHEASTERN PIMA AND NORTHEASTERN SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES...

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

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 500 AM MST Monday for a portion
of Southeast Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3172 11065 3172 11060 3178 11059 3176 11053
      3172 11053 3167 11052 3164 11053 3162 11055
      3157 11058 3158 11063 3161 11063 3160 11066
      3159 11073 3165 11071 3169 11066

$$

JRM

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 Aug 29, 2:20 PM MST, 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 29, 2:20 PM MST, 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
220 PM MST Sat Aug 29 2026

.SYNOPSIS...Expect daily thunderstorms through at least Monday
with storms capable of strong to severe wind gusts and heavy
rainfall. After Monday storm chances begin to decrease. High
temperatures will remain above normal Sunday through much of
next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...The upper air pattern across Arizona continues to
transition into a Monsoon Type IV pattern with the upper high
to our east and an upper level trof to the NW. This pattern
brings an increased threat of severe storms, flash flooding, and
nocturnal storms this weekend into Monday.

Storms have been forming over the higher terrain early this
afternoon with further development over the next 3 to 6 hours. Main
threat from storms today will be strong gusty outflow winds, some
which may be briefly severe, blowing dust and heavy rain. The strong
outflow winds may produce areas of blowing dust across Pima and
Pinal counties where a blowing dust advisory is in effect from 4 pm
to 8 pm. With potential rainfall rates with some of the stronger
cores being 1-2"/hr, flash flooding is a threat, especially across
Pinal, Pima and Santa Cruz county where a flash flood watch is in
effect. Not everyone will see heavy rain or rain at all in the flash
flood watch area. Tonight, across central Sonora MX near Hermosillo,
a decaying MCS may send a strong outflow north towards the area and
kick off some elevated storms across the central part of the
forecast, or mainly across Santa Cruz, eastern Pima and western
Cochise counties.

Sunday: after lingering morning convection ends, storms will be
developing over the higher terrain early afternoon and work their
way into the lower elevations. Another chance of localized severe
storms and flash flooding. Can't rule out storms continuing late
Sunday night into early Monday morning.

Monday: Likely a later start to convection with less areal coverage
of storms.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Low-grade monsoon days as the monsoon
calendar turns to September and possible tropical influences
during the month.

Speaking of the tropics, NHC is monitoring an area of disturbed
weather, associated with a tropical wave, well south of SW Mexico.
This may become the next named eastern Pacific tropical storm with
some model guidance indicating that the potential track will be
further east than where current Tropical storm Karina is at, and
closer to Baja by the end of next week. Confidence low this far out
but something to keep an eye on.

Temperature wise, today is the last day of the almost two-week long
Extreme Heat Warning. Highs will thus be cooler during the next 7
days but still running, except for Monday and Tuesday, above normal
for the most part.

&&

.AVIATION...Valid through 31/00Z.
SCT -SHRA/-TSRA thru 30/06z, bcmg ISOLD btwn 30/06z and 30/12z.
Chance of storms returning to the area aft 30/20z. Outflow SFC winds
nr TSRA 35-45 kts otrw SFC winds mostly less than 10 kts and terrain
driven. Clouds thru much of valid pd, SCT-BKN 8k-12k ft AGL.
Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Expect scattered afternoon and evening showers and
thunderstorms through Monday (30 to 70 percent daily thunderstorm
chances). Storms will be capable of strong to severe wind gusts and
heavy rainfall. After Monday storm chances and coverage decrease
with activity mainly from Tucson south and eastward. Temperatures
will remain above normal today with a cooling trend this weekend
into early next week. Minimum relative humidity values mainly 15 to
30 percent in the valleys and 20 to 40 percent in the mountains
today. Minimum RH values increase to 20 to 50 percent starting
Sunday into next week. Winds will generally remain less than 15 mph
and terrain driven through the week.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
 Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM MST this evening for
  AZZ501>509.
 Flood Watch through late Sunday night for AZZ502>507-513>515.
 Blowing Dust Advisory until 8 PM MST this evening for AZZ501-
 502-504-505.

&&

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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 28, 5:13 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima2 hr
Aug 29, 9:39 AM MSTBlowing Dust AdvisoryTWCPima, Pinal10 hr
Aug 29, 2:22 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz38 min
Aug 29, 3:01 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 hr
Aug 29, 3:19 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima41 min
Aug 29, 3:31 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima, Santa Cruz3 hr
Aug 29, 3:48 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima7 min
Aug 29, 3:55 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 hr
Aug 29, 4:22 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima31 min
Aug 29, 4:26 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 hr
Aug 29, 4:51 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima, Pinal39 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.