Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 92, NWS Tucson, AZ

August 3, 2026Cochise County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Aug 3, 2026, 5:13 PM MST for Cochise County, Arizona. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Aug 3, 2026, 5:13 PM MST (00:13 UTC)
Expired
Aug 3, 2026, 8:15 PM MST
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Cochise County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 98 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:14 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 3, 5:30 PM MSTFLASH FLOOD8 Ne Huachuca City, AZBabocomari River near Tombstone exceeded bankfull at 4 ft.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 17 minutes after it went out.

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

Santa Teresa, NM (KEPZ), launched 00:00Z, 0.2 hours before the alert went out and 273 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, Santa Teresa, NM at 00:00Z on 2026-08-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 64 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, Santa Teresa, NM at 00:00Z on 2026-08-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -4 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
64 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-40 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3804 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-4 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
37 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

342 
WGUS55 KTWC 040013
FFWTWC
AZC003-040315-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0092.260804T0013Z-260804T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

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

The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a

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

* Until 815 PM MST.

* At 513 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain a large portion of Cochise County, with the heaviest
  rain extending from San Simon southwest towards Kansas Settlement
  and Pearce-Sunsites. Another area of heavy rain has occurred in the
  Tombstone area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen.
  Additional rainfall amount s 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...
  Sierra Vista, Willcox, Whetstone, Huachuca City, St. David,
  Tombstone, Portal, Bowie, Dragoon, Pearce-Sunsites, Chiricahua
  National Monument, Kartchner Caverns State Park, Fort Huachuca,
  Cochise, Sunizona, Kansas Settlement, Rucker Canyon, Texas Canyon
  and Paradise.

This includes the following highways...
Route 90 between mile markers 296 and 331. Route 80 between mile
markers 296 and 328...and between mile markers 400 and 413. Route 181
between mile markers 39 and 64. Route 191 between mile markers 31 and
89. Route 92 between mile markers 322 and 323. Interstate 10 between
mile markers 309 and 389. Route 82 between mile markers 48 and 67.
Route 186 between mile markers 327 and 359.

This includes the following Flash Flood Prone Locations...
Hwy 181 at Turkey 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 3237 10910 3239 10978 3181 11042 3154 11042
      3150 11015 3178 10973 3159 10909 3188 10905
      3211 10906

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

GEL
1 follow-up statement
149 
WGUS75 KTWC 040153
FFSTWC

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

AZC003-040315-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0092.000000T0000Z-260804T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Cochise AZ-
653 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM MST THIS
EVENING FOR CENTRAL COCHISE COUNTY...

At 653 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across much of western Cochise County. Between 1 and 2 inches of
rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are
possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring.

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...
  Sierra Vista, Willcox, Whetstone, Huachuca City, St. David,
  Tombstone, Portal, Bowie, Dragoon, Pearce-Sunsites, Chiricahua
  National Monument, Kartchner Caverns State Park, Fort Huachuca,
  Cochise, Sunizona, Kansas Settlement, Rucker Canyon, Texas Canyon
  and Paradise.

This includes the following highways...
Route 90 between mile markers 296 and 331. Route 80 between mile
markers 296 and 328...and between mile markers 400 and 413. Route 181
between mile markers 39 and 64. Route 191 between mile markers 31 and
89. Route 92 between mile markers 322 and 323. Interstate 10 between
mile markers 309 and 389. Route 82 between mile markers 48 and 67.
Route 186 between mile markers 327 and 359.

This includes the following Flash Flood Prone Locations...
Hwy 181 at Turkey 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 3237 10910 3239 10978 3181 11042 3154 11042
      3150 11015 3178 10973 3159 10909 3188 10905
      3211 10906

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

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, 3 hours 56 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 3, 1:17 PM MST, 3 hours 56 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, 2 hours 15 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.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 3, 4:32 PM MST, 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
432 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026

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

0425 PM     Dust Storm       San Simon               32.27N 109.23W
08/03/2026                   Cochise            AZ   Trained Spotter

            200 yard visibility in dense blowing dust.

0425 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     San Simon               32.27N 109.23W
08/03/2026  M60 MPH          Cochise            AZ   Trained Spotter

&&
Local storm report, Aug 3, 4:48 PM MST, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
448 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026

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

0433 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     San Simon               32.26N 109.23W
08/03/2026  M64 MPH          Cochise            AZ   Mesonet

            Mesonet station AZT16 San Simon.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 3, 5:07 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise53 min
Aug 3, 5:29 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise61 min
Aug 3, 5:29 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTWCCochise46 min
Aug 3, 5:42 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise, Pima, Santa Cruz63 min
Aug 3, 6:13 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise32 min
Aug 3, 6:21 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise, Graham54 min
Aug 3, 6:33 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima42 min
Aug 3, 6:58 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima47 min
Aug 3, 7:09 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima51 min
Aug 3, 7:23 PM MSTDust Storm WarningTWCPima, Pinal85 min
Aug 3, 7:28 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTWCPima, Santa Cruz62 min
Aug 3, 7:50 PM MSTDust Storm WarningTWCPima, Santa Cruz115 min
Aug 3, 8:02 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise118 min
Aug 3, 8:18 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima57 min
Aug 3, 8:43 PM MSTDust Storm WarningTWCPinal62 min
Aug 3, 8:57 PM MSTTornado WarningTWCPima34 min
Aug 3, 9:15 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima60 min
Aug 3, 9:18 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima36 min
Aug 3, 9:39 PM MSTTornado WarningTWCPima21 min
Aug 4, 1:41 AM MSTBlowing Dust AdvisoryTWCCochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz18 hr
Aug 4, 8:04 AM MSTFlood WatchTWCCochise, Graham, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz14 hr
Aug 4, 4:39 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCGreenlee51 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.