Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 90, NWS Tucson, AZ
NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Aug 3, 2026, 2:40 PM MST for 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 3, 2026, 2:40 PM MST (21:40 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 3, 2026, 5:45 PM MST
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Tucson, AZ
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Santa Cruz County, AZ
The radar
The Tucson radar (KEMX), 37 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:41 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, 9.7 hours before the alert went out and 246 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
- 58 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -330 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 3091 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 32 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 100 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 110 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
970
WGUS55 KTWC 032140
FFWTWC
AZC023-040045-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0090.260803T2140Z-260804T0045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
240 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
East Central Santa Cruz County in southeastern Arizona...
* Until 545 PM MST.
* At 240 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain in the Canelo 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...
Elgin and Canelo.
This includes Route 83 between mile markers 10 and 23.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Santa Cruz River, Turkey Creek and Babocomari 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.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3160 11059 3163 11055 3165 11051 3164 11047
3161 11046 3152 11047 3147 11051 3149 11062
3152 11062 3156 11061
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
GEL1 follow-up statement
960
WGUS75 KTWC 032216
FFSTWC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
316 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
AZC023-040045-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0090.000000T0000Z-260804T0045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Santa Cruz AZ-
316 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR EAST CENTRAL SANTA CRUZ COUNTY...
At 316 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms which produced
heavy rain in the Canelo area have ended. Between 1 and 2 inches of
rain have fallen. Flooding impacts will continue, but no additional
rainfall is expected. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Elgin and Canelo.
This includes Route 83 between mile markers 10 and 23.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Santa Cruz River, Turkey Creek and Babocomari River.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.
&&
LAT...LON 3160 11059 3163 11055 3165 11051 3164 11047
3161 11046 3152 11047 3147 11051 3149 11062
3152 11062 3156 11061
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
GELWhat 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 3, 1:17 PM MST, 1 hour 23 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 3, 1:17 PM MST, 1 hour 23 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 117 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026 .SYNOPSIS... Chances for thunderstorms will develop each afternoon and evening this week with day to day variability. Thunderstorms may produce severe outflow winds with areas of blowing dust, as well as locally heavy rainfall with a flash flooding risk. High temperatures will remain a few degrees above normal through the week. && .DISCUSSION... An upper level high currently centered over central Arizona will gradually lift north into the Four Corners through the week. The high's current position and orientation has allowed for active easterly flow to set up over southeastern Arizona, while surface dew points have increased to the upper 50s to lower 60s across the area. Under modestly divergent flow aloft, thunderstorms are expected to initiate over the Sky Islands and White Mountains early to mid afternoon today, with the easterly flow moving and expanding their coverage westward through the evening. 1000-2000 J/kg of MLCAPE and 1.2-1.6 inches of precipitable water will provide ample instability, combining with 15-25 knots of effective shear for a severe, organized thunderstorm threat. While most of southeastern Arizona has at least a 30-50 percent chance of thunderstorms today, coverage should be greatest through southern Cochise, Santa Cruz, and into south central Pima counties. It's in this area, especially Santa Cruz, where potential for multiple storm cells and subsequent flash flooding is greater. A Flood Watch remains in effect this afternoon and evening. Elsewhere today a scattered severe wind threat remains, especially where the 12Z HREF highlights the stronger potential for organized severe outflows transitioning south off the White Mountains this afternoon and this evening further west if thunderstorm outflows organize west of Tucson. These winds will likely produce a blowing dust threat, especially in dust prone areas of I-10 east of Willcox and west of Tucson into Pinal and through central to western Pima. A Blowing Dust Advisory remains in place for this potential, with the possibility that warnings will be needed where organized outflows kick up areas of very dense blowing dust. Finally, an isolated severe hail threat can't be ruled out with any sustained thunderstorm today. On Tuesday the upper high nudges north slightly while keeping easterly flow in place over the region. Again scattered thunderstorms are likely, however location will depend on today's action. 12Z guidance points to a later start with an emphasis on eastern areas, mainly Graham, Greenlee, Cochise, into Santa Cruz counties. Forecast soundings further west (such as at Tucson) show a modest warming inversion which would line up with the start in the east. A late evening push into Pima/Pinal counties however can't be ruled out, depending on the longevity and organization of outflows. The CAPE/shear parameter space will remain impressive for severe winds and blowing dust, along with an isolated flash flooding risk. Additional blowing dust headlines for tomorrow in eastern locations may be needed if this trend continues. Favorable flow for monsoon activity continues through the week with the upper high drifting north towards the Four Corners with day to day variability. Forecast high temperatures will fall to 2-4 degrees above normal, with some variability due to thunderstorm activity and cloud cover. && .AVIATION...Valid through 05/00Z. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms expected to develop this afternoon mainly between 03/21Z to 04/03Z with lingering isolated activity through 04/06Z. Coverage around KTUS more likely 03/23Z-04/03Z and KOLS 03/22Z-04/04Z. Gusty erratic winds of 35-45 kts possible with any thunderstorm with potentially blowing dust. Otherwise SFC winds WLY/NWLY at 8-12 kts with occasional afternoon gusts to 20 kts. SFC winds light and terrain driven after 03/04Z. Scattered thunderstorm chances return Tuesday afternoon and evening. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER... An active monsoon period looks favorable this week with daily chances for showers and thunderstorms each afternoon and evening, with day to day variability. Minimum relative humidity values will likely remain above 25-40 percent through the week with temperatures 2-4 degrees above normal. Outside of thunderstorms, winds terrain driven to around 10 mph with occasional afternoon gusts to 25 mph. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM MST this evening for AZZ501>509. Flood Watch from 2 PM this afternoon to 10 PM MST this evening for AZZ503-504-507-513-515. Blowing Dust Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 8 PM MST this evening for AZZ503-504-507>509. Blowing Dust Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 10 PM MST this evening for AZZ501-502-505-506. && 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2, 8:59 PM MST | Blowing Dust Advisory | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz | 25 hr |
| Aug 2, 8:59 PM MST | Flood Watch | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Pima, Santa Cruz | 25 hr |
| Aug 3, 2:05 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 40 min |
| Aug 3, 2:21 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 39 min |
| Aug 3, 2:26 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima, Santa Cruz | 49 min |
| Aug 3, 2:56 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 49 min |
| Aug 3, 3:04 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 3, 3:08 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 32 min |
| Aug 3, 3:32 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Aug 3, 3:39 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 26 min |
| Aug 3, 3:42 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Graham | 48 min |
| Aug 3, 4:08 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 3, 4:22 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 53 min |
| Aug 3, 4:28 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 2 hr |
| Aug 3, 4:28 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 62 min |
| Aug 3, 4:38 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 52 min |
| Aug 3, 4:43 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 34 min |
| Aug 3, 4:59 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz | 46 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.