Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 37, NWS Tucson, AZ
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.
- 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
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
$$
KJS3 follow-up statements
424
WGUS75 KTWC 162210
FFSTWC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
310 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026
AZC003-162345-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260716T2345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Cochise AZ-
310 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHERN COCHISE COUNTY...
At 310 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
0.8 and 1.2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts
of 0.2 to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding
is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Bisbee and Naco.
This includes the following highways...
Route 90 near mile marker 336. Route 80 between mile markers 333 and
353. Route 92 between mile markers 349 and 355.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
San Pedro River, Whitewater Draw and Spring Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.
Washes, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a
matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.
&&
LAT...LON 3133 10997 3152 11003 3148 10974 3133 10978
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
KJS179
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
$$
KJS899 WGUS75 KTWC 170037 FFSTWC Flash Flood Statement National Weather Service Tucson AZ 537 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026 AZC003-170047- /O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260717T0045Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ Cochise AZ- 537 PM MST Thu Jul 16 2026 ...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 545 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHERN COCHISE COUNTY... The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures. A Flood Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MST for a portion of Southeast Arizona. && LAT...LON 3133 10997 3152 11003 3148 10974 3133 10978 $$ 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 15, 5:40 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pinal | 3 hr |
| Jul 15, 5:48 PM MST | Dust Storm Advisory | TWC | Pima, Pinal | 69 min |
| Jul 15, 5:53 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Jul 15, 6:02 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Jul 15, 6:21 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Jul 15, 6:57 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Jul 15, 6:59 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | TWC | Pima, Pinal | 61 min |
| Jul 15, 9:18 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 2:02 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 5 hr |
| Jul 16, 2:18 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 2:42 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 2:51 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 3:05 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise, Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 3:30 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 4 hr |
| Jul 16, 3:57 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 4:02 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 4:13 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 4:55 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 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.