Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 209, NWS Tucson, AZ

September 14, 2026Pinal County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Sep 14, 2026, 4:54 PM MST for Pinal 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
Sep 14, 2026, 4:54 PM MST (23:54 UTC)
Expired
Sep 14, 2026, 8:00 PM MST
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Pinal County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 80 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:57 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, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 160 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 2026-09-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 655 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 2026-09-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 23 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
655 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-82 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1731 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
23 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
58 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

129 
WGUS55 KTWC 142354
FFWTWC
AZC021-150300-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0209.260914T2354Z-260915T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
454 PM MST Mon Sep 14 2026

The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Pinal County in southeastern Arizona...

* Until 800 PM MST.

* At 454 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across 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...
  Mainly rural areas of Southeastern Pinal County.

This includes the following Flash Flood Prone Locations...
River Rd at San Pedro River.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3251 11056 3257 11064 3261 11058 3264 11060
      3269 11062 3269 11061 3264 11056 3268 11049
      3268 11045 3251 11045

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

DVS
2 follow-up statements
275 
WGUS75 KTWC 150044
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
544 PM MST Mon Sep 14 2026

AZC021-150300-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0209.000000T0000Z-260915T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Pinal AZ-
544 PM MST Mon Sep 14 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST THIS EVENING
FOR SOUTHEASTERN PINAL COUNTY...

At 544 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have
fallen. 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...
  Mainly rural areas of Southeastern Pinal County.

This includes the following Flash Flood Prone Locations...
River Rd at San Pedro River.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3251 11056 3257 11064 3261 11058 3264 11060
      3269 11062 3269 11061 3264 11056 3268 11049
      3268 11045 3251 11045

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

GLZ
898 
WGUS75 KTWC 150251
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
751 PM MST Mon Sep 14 2026

AZC021-150301-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0209.000000T0000Z-260915T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Pinal AZ-
751 PM MST Mon Sep 14 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN PINAL 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 1100 PM MST for a portion of
Southeast Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3251 11056 3257 11064 3261 11058 3264 11060
      3269 11062 3269 11061 3264 11056 3268 11049
      3268 11045 3251 11045

$$

DVS

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 Sep 14, 12:44 PM MST, 4 hours 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 14, 12:44 PM MST, 4 hours 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
1244 PM MST Mon Sep 14 2026

.SYNOPSIS...An active week ahead with daily chances of showers and
thunderstorms. Elevated precipitation chances today with a Flash
Flood Watch for portions of southeast Arizona. Daily high
temperatures will fluctuate between near normal and a few degrees
below normal.

&&

.DISCUSSION...The Excessive Rainfall Outlook through Thursday
depicts portions of southeast Arizona in a slight risk (level 2 of
4) equating to a 25 percent chance of excessive rainfall leading to
flash flooding within 15 miles of a point. Over the past 72 hours,
we've seen flowing washes and rivers after 1 to 2 inches of rain has
fallen in some locales providing saturated soils and flashy
antecedent conditions for any additional rainfall.

For today, the slight risk for excessive rainfall is centered on
areas from the Tucson Metro eastward. As of this writing, showers
and storms are already forming in moisture rich airmass with robust
instability and will likely become more widespread over the next few
hours as a mesoscale convective system drifts north over Sonora
Mexico providing additional forcing. In this juicy environment,
storms this afternoon and evening will be capable of producing
rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour with a slight chance for
locally higher rates under any of the stronger cells that cluster.
Flash Flood Watch continues through 11 PM MST this evening.
Potential impacts/hazards include urban and street flooding, water
running through normally dry washes, and low water crossings
becoming inundated and impassable. Overnight some of the CAMs are
showing nocturnal activity continuing thus, chances for showers and
storms (20-50%) continue overnight. Something to keep an eye on.

While tomorrow does still appear to be a relative down day, storms
today and tonight will likely play a role in the coverage and/or
timing of storms tomorrow. That being said, any storms that form
will again have the potential for locally heavy rainfall rates
upwards of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Slight risk for excessive
rainfall resulting in flash flooding continues centered from the
Tucson Metro east.

Wednesday is looking to be another more active day with scattered to
numerous thunderstorms as an upper level disturbance moves north out
of Sonora Mexico and across southeast Arizona. The disturbance will
add additional upper level support ultimately helping air rise in an
environment with precipitable water content around 150-250% of
normal for this time of year. Storms will be capable of producing
heavy rainfall rates, although the specific timing/positioning of
the disturbance relative to the best instability could drive where
storms specifically form initially and grow upscale.

Thursday: Similar to Tuesday in that it is still looking not quite
as active as Wednesday as forcing from the disturbance that comes
through on Wednesday will move out of the area. But with plenty of
moisture around, any storms that do form will again be capable of
heavy rainfall. Slight risk for excessive rainfall resulting in
flash flooding continues from Tucson eastward.

Friday into this weekend: Drier air finally pushes into southeast
Arizona from the west as our flow aloft turns westerly. Chances for
precipitation (10-40%) continue, but with drier air aloft, we will
see less heavy rainfall. Looking like the best chances will remain
east and south of Tucson.

8 to 14 day outlooks (Mon Sep 21 to Sun Sep 27)
Temperature: Leaning above normal, 44-45% chance
Precipitation: Likely above, 49-52% chance

&&

.AVIATION...Valid thru 16/00Z.
SCT-BKN clouds 7k-10k ft AGL for much of valid pd with layers clouds
above. SCT-NUM SHRA/TSRA thru 15/04Z becoming ISOLD-SCT thru the end
of the valid pd. Outflow winds near TSRA of 35-45 kts. VSBYs down to
1SM nr strongest TS. SFC winds SWLY/SWLY at 6-10 kts thru 15/04Z and
again after 16/17Z. At other times, SFC winds terrain driven and
less than 10 kts. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...An active week ahead with daily chances of
showers and thunderstorms. High temperatures will fluctuate between
near normal and a few degrees below normal. Min RH values mainly 20
to 45 percent in the valleys and 35 to 65 percent in the mountains
over the next week. RH recoveries will continue to be excellent
overnight. Winds will generally remain less than 15 mph and terrain
driven. Gusty and erratic winds will accompany thunderstorms.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through 11 PM MST this evening for AZZ503>509-511>514.

&&

DVS

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In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 14, 4:29 PM MST, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
429 PM MST Mon Sep 14 2026

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

0426 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     7 ENE Tucson            32.24N 110.78W
09/14/2026  M60 MPH          Pima               AZ   Trained Spotter

            Measured wind gust of 60 mph.

&&

AH
Local storm report, Sep 14, 4:47 PM MST, 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
447 PM MST Mon Sep 14 2026

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

0444 PM     Flash Flood      3 E Tucson              32.20N 110.85W
09/14/2026                   Pima               AZ   911 Call Center

            Swift water rescue in the Alamo Wash at E
            Calle Betelgeux and S Avenida.

&&

AH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 13, 5:52 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise113 min
Sep 13, 6:27 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz48 min
Sep 13, 6:29 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise46 min
Sep 13, 6:47 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise10 min
Sep 13, 6:57 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise2 hr
Sep 13, 7:00 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCSanta Cruz2 hr
Sep 13, 7:11 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise28 min
Sep 13, 7:16 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz44 min
Sep 13, 7:39 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise2 hr
Sep 13, 7:49 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise116 min
Sep 13, 9:33 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise117 min
Sep 14, 1:46 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise32 min
Sep 14, 1:54 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Sep 14, 2:13 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise3 hr
Sep 14, 2:22 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise38 min
Sep 14, 2:24 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise3 hr
Sep 14, 3:12 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise2 hr
Sep 14, 4:00 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima45 min
Sep 14, 4:05 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima40 min
Sep 14, 4:07 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima113 min
Sep 14, 4:11 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 hr
Sep 14, 4:12 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz48 min
Sep 14, 4:15 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima45 min
Sep 14, 4:22 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCSanta Cruz11 min
Sep 14, 4:26 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 hr
Sep 14, 4:33 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCSanta Cruz117 min
Sep 14, 4:34 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima5 hr
Sep 14, 4:38 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima3 hr
Sep 14, 4:46 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima4 hr
Sep 14, 4:59 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise25 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.