Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 91, NWS Tucson, AZ

August 3, 2026Santa Cruz County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Aug 3, 2026, 3:32 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, 3:32 PM MST (22:32 UTC)
Expired
Aug 3, 2026, 6:30 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), 72 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:34 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, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 243 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 2026-08-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 58 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 2026-08-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 100 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

237 
WGUS55 KTWC 032232
FFWTWC
AZC023-040130-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0091.260803T2232Z-260804T0130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
332 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026

The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  South Central Santa Cruz County in southeastern Arizona...

* Until 630 PM MST.

* At 332 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain in the Pena Blanca Lake region. Between 0.75 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...
  Pena Blanca Lake including Pena Blanca Road between Interstate 19
  and Pena Blanca Lake.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  Tonto Canyon, Peasco Canyon, Sycamore Canyon, Potrero Creek, Santa
  Cruz River and Sonoita Creek.

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 3136 11117 3141 11117 3145 11110 3141 11100
      3139 11098 3134 11101 3133 11103 3133 11107

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

GEL
2 follow-up statements
832 
WGUS75 KTWC 032310
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
410 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026

AZC023-040130-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0091.000000T0000Z-260804T0130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Santa Cruz AZ-
410 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM MST THIS
EVENING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL SANTA CRUZ COUNTY...

At 410 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area have now diminished. 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...
  Pena Blanca Lake including Pena Blanca Road between Interstate 19
  and Pena Blanca Lake.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  Tonto Canyon, Peasco Canyon, Sycamore Canyon, Potrero Creek, Santa
  Cruz River and Sonoita Creek.

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 3136 11117 3141 11117 3145 11110 3141 11100
      3139 11098 3134 11101 3133 11103 3133 11107

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

GEL
575 
WGUS75 KTWC 040125
FFSTWC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
625 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026

AZC023-040135-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0091.000000T0000Z-260804T0130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Santa Cruz AZ-
625 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 630 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
SOUTH CENTRAL SANTA CRUZ COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Flood waters have receded. 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 for a portion of
Southeast Arizona.

&&

LAT...LON 3136 11117 3141 11117 3145 11110 3141 11100
      3139 11098 3134 11101 3133 11103 3133 11107

$$

GEL

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 Aug 3, 1:17 PM MST, 2 hours 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 3, 1:17 PM MST, 2 hours 15 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

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In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 3, 2:58 PM MST, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
258 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026

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

0245 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     6 NE Nogales            31.42N 110.85W
08/03/2026  M66 MPH          Santa Cruz         AZ   ASOS

            ASOS station KOLS Nogales International
            Airport.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 2, 8:59 PM MSTBlowing Dust AdvisoryTWCCochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz25 hr
Aug 2, 8:59 PM MSTFlood WatchTWCCochise, Graham, Pima, Santa Cruz25 hr
Aug 3, 2:05 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz40 min
Aug 3, 2:21 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise39 min
Aug 3, 2:26 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima, Santa Cruz49 min
Aug 3, 2:40 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCSanta Cruz3 hr
Aug 3, 2:56 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz49 min
Aug 3, 3:04 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise3 hr
Aug 3, 3:08 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima32 min
Aug 3, 3:39 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima26 min
Aug 3, 3:42 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise, Graham48 min
Aug 3, 4:08 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima3 hr
Aug 3, 4:22 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise53 min
Aug 3, 4:28 PM MSTDust Storm WarningTWCCochise2 hr
Aug 3, 4:28 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise62 min
Aug 3, 4:38 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise52 min
Aug 3, 4:43 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise34 min
Aug 3, 4:59 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise, Pima, Santa Cruz46 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.