Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 37, NWS Tucson, AZ

July 16, 2026Cochise County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Jul 16, 2026, 1:51 PM MST for Cochise County, Arizona. It was in force for 4 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 16, 2026, 1:51 PM MST (20:51 UTC)
Expired
Jul 16, 2026, 5:45 PM MST
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Cochise County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:55 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, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 298 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 2026-07-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 33 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 2026-07-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 22 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
33 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-256 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2003 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
8 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
22 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
84 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

538 
WGUS55 KTWC 162051
FFWTWC
AZC003-162345-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0037.260716T2051Z-260716T2345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
151 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026

The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southern Cochise County in southeastern Arizona...

* Until 445 PM MST.

* At 151 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
  0.5 and 1 inch of rain has fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of
  0.8 to 1.5 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 and Naco.

This includes the following highways...
Route 90 near mile marker 336. Route 80 between mile markers 333 and
353. Route 92 between mile markers 349 and 355.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3133 10997 3152 11003 3148 10974 3133 10978

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

KJS
3 follow-up statements
424 
WGUS75 KTWC 162210
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
310 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026

AZC003-162345-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260716T2345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Cochise AZ-
310 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHERN COCHISE COUNTY...

At 310 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
0.8 and 1.2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts
of 0.2 to 0.5 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 and Naco.

This includes the following highways...
Route 90 near mile marker 336. Route 80 between mile markers 333 and
353. Route 92 between mile markers 349 and 355.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  San Pedro River, Whitewater Draw and Spring Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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 3133 10997 3152 11003 3148 10974 3133 10978

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

KJS
179 
WGUS55 KTWC 162329
FFWTWC
AZC003-170045-
/O.EXT.KTWC.FF.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260717T0045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
429 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026

The National Weather Service in Tucson has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southern Cochise County in southeastern Arizona...

* Until 545 PM MST.

* At 429 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
  1.5 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts
  of 0.1 to 0.3 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 and Naco.

This includes the following highways...
Route 90 near mile marker 336. Route 80 between mile markers 333 and
353. Route 92 between mile markers 349 and 355.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  San Pedro River, Whitewater Draw and Spring Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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 3133 10997 3152 11003 3148 10974 3133 10978

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

KJS
899 
WGUS75 KTWC 170037
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
537 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026

AZC003-170047-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260717T0045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Cochise AZ-
537 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 545 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
SOUTHERN COCHISE 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 900 PM MST for a portion of
Southeast Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3133 10997 3152 11003 3148 10974 3133 10978

$$

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 16, 2:38 AM MST, 11 hours 13 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening across southeastern Arizona. Isolated to scattered thunderstorm activity may persist through much of the night tonight.
  • Heavy rainfall with these thunderstorms will bring a threat of flash flooding as well as rises in washes and rivers. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect this afternoon and tonight.
  • Daily chances for showers and thunderstorms will continue through the coming week with day to day variability in location and severity.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 16, 2:38 AM MST, 11 hours 13 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
238 AM MST Thu Jul 16 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon
  and evening across southeastern Arizona. Isolated to scattered
  thunderstorm activity may persist through much of the night
  tonight.

- Heavy rainfall with these thunderstorms will bring a threat of
  flash flooding as well as rises in washes and rivers. A Flash
  Flood Watch remains in effect this afternoon and tonight.

- Daily chances for showers and thunderstorms will continue
  through the coming week with day to day variability in
  location and severity.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...

Chances for showers and thunderstorms become more widespread
this afternoon and evening across southeastern Arizona with an
increased risk of flash flooding. Gusty winds and blowing dust
will also be possible with any thunderstorm. Chances for
thunderstorms will continue through the coming week with day to
day variability in location and severity.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

A broad northern US ridge and a closed low under it over west
Texas define the upper level pattern this morning, with water
vapor imagery depicting impulses near the closed low moving into
the desert southwest from the east. An elongated swath of rich
atmospheric moisture sits from Sonora north through much of the
Intermountain West, characterized by precipitable water values
1.25 inches near the southern Arizona and New Mexico border to 2
inches in western Pima county. The combination of the dynamics
aloft and moisture rich environment will allow for widely
scattered showers and thunderstorms capable of 2 inch per hour
(likely even higher with the strongest storms) rainfall rates to
develop this afternoon across the region. Some areas, such as
west of Tucson, may not see thunderstorms until the evening, but
the risk of flash flooding covers most of southeastern Arizona
today. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect. Though there has
been some shifting around in recent high-resolution model runs,
the overall suite of model precipitation forecasts generally
favor the heaviest rainfall totals to land from southern Pinal
through central- eastern Pima, western Cochise, and through
Santa Cruz counties where 1-3 inches of rain are possible (with
isolated potential for more). WPC has extended their Day 1
Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall and flash flooding (already
a rare outlook level for this area) through the area covered by
this model agreement. Flash flooding and running washes and
rivers will be hazards today, as well as a gusty wind and
blowing dust threat with any stronger thunderstorm. With the
dynamic support aloft from the nearby closed low, isolated to
scattered thunderstorm activity may linger well into the
overnight hours.

The upper level pattern and moisture field on Friday will be
similar to today, however atmospheric instability is in
question as activity from today will impact Friday's
thunderstorm potential. This is shown in the model suite where
possible outcomes range from a notable "down" day to a
scattered flash flooding threat for the area.

Thunderstorm chances continue daily through the coming week with
day to day variability. Ensemble models show the upper level
ridge becoming centered again over or near the Four Corners
region by the end of next week with the overall pattern still
favoring southeasterly flow into Arizona with continued monsoon
activity.

&&

.AVIATION...Valid through 17/12Z.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop after 16/19Z
and become widely scattered across southeastern Arizona. Heavy
rain, mountain obscurations, and erratic strong wind gusts of
35-45 kts possible with any storm, with ceilings mainly 9k-12k
feet. Outside of thunderstorms, surface winds generally under 10
kts. Isolated to scattered activity may continue through the
overnight hours tonight. Aviation discussion not updated
for TAF amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Daily chances for thunderstorms will continue
each afternoon and evening through the next 7 days with day to
day variability. More widespread chances for showers and
thunderstorms are expected today (40-90 percent). Minimum
relative humidity 25-30 percent in the lower desert locations
and above 40 percent in the mountains this week. Winds this week
will remain mainly light and under 15 mph, though strong and
erratic winds will be possible with any thunderstorm.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...

Heavy rains today may lead to significant rises in washes,
creeks and rivers, especially from western Cochise county west
through Santa Cruz and into central Pima county.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch from this afternoon through late tonight for
AZZ502>506-514-515.
Flood Watch from this afternoon through this evening for
AZZ507>509-511>513.

&&

DISCUSSION...Edwards
AVIATION...Edwards
FIRE WEATHER...Edwards

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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 15, 5:40 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPinal3 hr
Jul 15, 5:48 PM MSTDust Storm AdvisoryTWCPima, Pinal69 min
Jul 15, 5:53 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 hr
Jul 15, 6:02 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima3 hr
Jul 15, 6:21 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatTWCPima3 hr
Jul 15, 6:57 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 hr
Jul 15, 6:59 PM MSTDust Storm WarningTWCPima, Pinal61 min
Jul 15, 9:18 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima3 hr
Jul 16, 2:02 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise5 hr
Jul 16, 2:18 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCSanta Cruz3 hr
Jul 16, 2:42 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Jul 16, 2:51 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCSanta Cruz3 hr
Jul 16, 3:05 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise, Santa Cruz3 hr
Jul 16, 3:30 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatTWCCochise4 hr
Jul 16, 3:57 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCSanta Cruz3 hr
Jul 16, 4:02 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Jul 16, 4:13 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Jul 16, 4:55 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 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.