Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 174, NWS Tucson, AZ
NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Aug 31, 2026, 4:00 AM MST for Pima County, Arizona. It was in force for 5 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 31, 2026, 4:00 AM MST (11:00 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 31, 2026, 8:30 AM MST
- In force
- 5 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Tucson, AZ
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Pima County, AZ
The radar
The Tucson radar (KEMX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:02 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, 11.0 hours before the alert went out and 168 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
- 1058 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -82 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2426 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 17 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -9 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 13 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
570
WGUS55 KTWC 311100
FFWTWC
AZC019-311400-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0174.260831T1100Z-260831T1400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
400 AM MST Mon Aug 31 2026
The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Pima County in southeastern Arizona...
* Until 700 AM MST.
* At 400 AM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. The
AZGFD 3 gauge reported 1.22 inches in 30 minutes, the Diamond Bell
Ranch alert gauge reported 0.98 inches in 30 minutes, and the Altar
Wash at Hwy 286 gauge reported 0.83 inches in 30 minutes.
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 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...
Three Points, Tucson Estates, Tucson Mountain Park and Ryan
AirField.
This includes the following highways...
Route 86 between mile markers 146 and 160. Route 286 between mile
markers 25 and 45.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Alambre Wash, Cerro Prieto Wash, Saucito Wash, Altar Wash, Brown
Wash, Brawley Wash, Banner Wash, Fresno Wash, Mendoza Wash, South
Mendoza Wash and Soto Wash.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3185 11125 3202 11115 3226 11117 3225 11132
3220 11138 3181 11144
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
AWH3 follow-up statements
171
WGUS75 KTWC 311143
FFSTWC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
443 AM MST Mon Aug 31 2026
AZC019-311400-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0174.000000T0000Z-260831T1400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Pima AZ-
443 AM MST Mon Aug 31 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM MST THIS MORNING
FOR CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY...
At 443 AM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1
and 2 inches of rain have fallen. The AZGFD3 and Diamond Bell Ranch
alert gauges have recorded 1.5 inches in the last hour and a half.
Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Three Points, Tucson Estates, Tucson Mountain Park and Ryan
AirField.
This includes the following highways...
Route 86 between mile markers 146 and 160. Route 286 between mile
markers 25 and 45.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Alambre Wash, Cerro Prieto Wash, Saucito Wash, Altar Wash, Brown
Wash, Brawley Wash, Banner Wash, Fresno Wash, Mendoza Wash, South
Mendoza Wash and Soto Wash.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3185 11125 3202 11115 3226 11117 3225 11132
3220 11138 3181 11144
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
AWH483
WGUS55 KTWC 311338
FFWTWC
AZC019-311530-
/O.EXT.KTWC.FF.W.0174.000000T0000Z-260831T1530Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
638 AM MST Mon Aug 31 2026
The National Weather Service in Tucson has extended the
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Pima County in southeastern Arizona...
* Until 830 AM MST.
* At 638 AM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. The AZGFD3 and Diamond Bell
Ranch alert gauges have recorded 1.65 and 1.57 with more storms
moving into the 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...
Three Points, Tucson Estates, Tucson Mountain Park and Ryan
AirField.
This includes the following highways...
Route 86 between mile markers 146 and 160. Route 286 between mile
markers 25 and 45.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Alambre Wash, Cerro Prieto Wash, Saucito Wash, Altar Wash, Brown
Wash, Brawley Wash, Banner Wash, Fresno Wash, Mendoza Wash, South
Mendoza Wash and Soto Wash.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3185 11125 3202 11115 3226 11117 3225 11132
3220 11138 3181 11144
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
AWH019
WGUS75 KTWC 311528
FFSTWC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
828 AM MST Mon Aug 31 2026
AZC019-311538-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0174.000000T0000Z-260831T1530Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Pima AZ-
828 AM MST Mon Aug 31 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 830 AM MST THIS MORNING FOR
CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM MST Monday for a
portion of Southeast Arizona.
&&
LAT...LON 3185 11125 3202 11115 3226 11117 3225 11132
3220 11138 3181 11144
$$
KJSWhat 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 31, 1:32 AM MST, 2 hours 28 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 31, 1:32 AM MST, 2 hours 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 132 AM MST Mon Aug 31 2026 .SYNOPSIS...Expect scattered shower and thunderstorm activity early this morning, brief break mid-morning, then another round of scattered storms this afternoon and evening. Storm chances and coverage decease Tuesday and Wednesday, then increase again Thursday into the weekend. High temperature will be below normal to start the week then near normal Wednesday into the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Current radar shows scattered thunderstorms east of Tucson with a few isolated storms west and north of Tucson over Pinal County and central Pima County. The latest HRRR run seems to be handling the convection east of Tucson well, but does not show any of the convection west and north of Tucson. These storms are likely being aided by a weak shortwave moving through central Arizona. Storms east of Tucson will likely keep moving north and produce moderate to heavy rainfall. At this moment it is uncertain if Tucson will see any storms, there are a couple outflows heading towards the metro from the east as well as the north. This could kick off storms over the metro, but confidence is low. This activity will likely continue through the early morning, then a brief break or reduction in coverage by mid to late morning. CAMs are showing another round of scattered storms forming this afternoon and evening, but activity from this morning could delay initiation and reduce coverage or change where storms form. Still some uncertainty in the forecast, but the threat is there for scattered convection. Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding looks to be the main threat with strong to severe wind gusts a secondary threat. For this afternoon and evening hi-res guidance is favoring areas west of Tucson over the Tohono O'Odham Nation. Because of this the Flash Flood Watch has been extended west of Tucson through 10 PM today. After today moisture values decrease some thanks to southwest flow aloft ahead of trough over the west coast. The ridge will be centered well to the east. The upper air pattern will remain like this through the work week. Expect a downturn in monsoon thunderstorm activity and coverage Tuesday and Wednesday with isolated storms mainly south and east of Tucson. High temperatures will be 2-6 degrees cooler than normal today into Wednesday. Down in the tropics the NHC is monitoring a tropical wave with disorganized showers and thunderstorms well south of SW Mexico. This will likely become the next named eastern Pacific tropical storm in a couple days. Models bring this tropical system north along the west coast of Baja late in the work week into the weekend. Still fairly large differences in how close to the coast the center will be. However there is growing confidence that it will send tropical moisture up to southeast Arizona. PWATs begin to increase as early as Thursday and could reach as high as 2" over far western Pima County by this weekend. This far out still hard to pin down exact impacts from this potential increase in moisture, but do expect an increase in thunderstorm coverage and chances as early as Thursday, continuing into the weekend. && .AVIATION...Valid through 01/12Z. SCT -SHRA/-TSRA east of KTUS through 31/14Z with KDUG and KSAD the main terminals impacted. Storms may form from outflows moving into the Tucson metro this morning, but confidence is too low to put mention of thunder in the TAF. Brief break in convection later this morning then storm chances return to the area after 31/20z through 01/04Z. Expect BKN cigs 7k-12k ft AGL for most of the period. Outflow SFC winds near TSRA 30-40 kts otherwise SFC winds mostly less than 10 kts and terrain driven. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms this morning continuing into the afternoon and evening today. Storms will be capable of strong to severe wind gusts and heavy rainfall. Storm chances and coverage decrease Tuesday and Wednesday with activity mainly from Tucson south and eastward. Then expect another increase in storm chances Thursday into the weekend. Temperatures will be around normal today through the coming work week. Minimum relative humidity values mainly 20 to 45 percent in the valleys and 30 to 60 percent in the mountains over the next week. Winds will generally remain less than 15 mph and terrain driven through the week. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through this evening for AZZ502. Flood Watch until 5 AM MST early this morning for AZZ503>507- 513>515. && Hardin Visit us on Facebook, X, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 5:04 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 41 min |
| Aug 30, 5:11 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 30, 5:40 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 20 min |
| Aug 30, 5:43 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 47 min |
| Aug 30, 5:44 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima, Pinal | 3 hr |
| Aug 30, 5:53 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 30, 6:00 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 30, 6:07 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 38 min |
| Aug 30, 6:08 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 30, 6:17 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | TWC | Pima | 58 min |
| Aug 30, 6:44 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 46 min |
| Aug 30, 6:46 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 25 min |
| Aug 30, 7:11 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 30, 8:13 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 30, 9:39 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Pima | 51 min |
| Aug 30, 10:16 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 30, 10:30 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 45 min |
| Aug 31, 1:46 AM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Graham | 59 min |
| Aug 31, 2:20 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Cochise, Graham | 115 min |
| Aug 31, 3:09 AM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 51 min |
| Aug 31, 5:09 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 2 hr |
| Aug 31, 5:39 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 2 hr |
| Aug 31, 8:11 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 31, 9:11 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 31, 9:47 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima, Pinal | 3 hr |
| Aug 31, 10:42 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Aug 31, 11:18 AM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 31, 12:14 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Aug 31, 2:03 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 31, 2:38 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 7 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.