Alert archive / Arizona / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 98, NWS Tucson, AZ
NWS Tucson, AZ issued this flash flood warning at Aug 5, 2026, 6:34 PM MST for Santa Cruz 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 5, 2026, 6:34 PM MST (01:34 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 5, 2026, 9:30 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), 41 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:37 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 6:40 PM MST | RAIN 0.42 | 1 Wsw Patagonia, AZ | 0.42 inches of rain in 5 mins. 0.6 inches in 10 mins. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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 00:00Z, 1.6 hours before the alert went out and 238 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
- 791 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -242 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2327 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 20 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 55 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
821
WGUS55 KTWC 060134
FFWTWC
AZC023-060430-
/O.NEW.KTWC.FF.W.0098.260806T0134Z-260806T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
634 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Santa Cruz County in southeastern Arizona...
* Until 930 PM MST.
* At 634 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
0.9 and 1.2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts
of 0.5 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 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...
Patagonia and Patagonia Lake State Park.
This includes Route 82 between mile markers 12 and 25.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Santa Cruz River, Harshaw Creek and Sonoita 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 3152 11067 3145 11081 3153 11092 3165 11083
3161 11069
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
KJS2 follow-up statements
599
WGUS75 KTWC 060208
FFSTWC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
708 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
AZC023-060430-
/O.CON.KTWC.FF.W.0098.000000T0000Z-260806T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Santa Cruz AZ-
708 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM MST THIS
EVENING FOR CENTRAL SANTA CRUZ COUNTY...
At 708 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1
and 1.8 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of
0.5 to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Patagonia and Patagonia Lake State Park.
This includes Route 82 between mile markers 12 and 25.
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Santa Cruz River, Harshaw Creek and Sonoita Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.
Washes, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a
matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.
&&
LAT...LON 3152 11067 3145 11081 3153 11092 3165 11083
3161 11069
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
KJS842
WGUS75 KTWC 060425
FFSTWC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
925 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
AZC023-060435-
/O.EXP.KTWC.FF.W.0098.000000T0000Z-260806T0430Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Santa Cruz AZ-
925 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
CENTRAL SANTA CRUZ 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 1100 PM MST for a portion of
Southeast Arizona.
&&
LAT...LON 3152 11067 3145 11081 3153 11092 3165 11083
3161 11069
$$
KJSWhat 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 5, 2:27 PM MST, 4 hours 7 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 5, 2:27 PM MST, 4 hours 7 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 227 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026 .SYNOPSIS...Expect thunderstorm activity 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 an isolated flash flooding risk. High temperatures will remain a few degrees above normal through the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Current satellite shows a cumulus field over central/eastern Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and parts of Cochise and Graham Counties with an isolated thunderstorm over northern Greenlee County and the Santa Ritas. This likely means there is very little CIN left and with more surface heating the atmosphere will be ready for convection. All the ingredients are in place with seasonable PWAT values, MLCAPE of 800-1800 J/kg, and effective bulk shear 20-30 kts. Storms will continue to develop over the White Mountains early this afternoon and over the Sky Islands by mid-afternoon. Storms then move into the lower elevations and progress westward through the late afternoon and evening. Storms could reach Tucson as early as 5 PM, but between 6-8 PM looks more likely. Storms will be capable of strong to severe wind gusts with an isolated storm or two producing a 70+ mph wind gusts. Model soundings show a dry nose just above 500 mb that could enhance downdrafts and the 05/12Z HREF has a 30 percent chance for 50 kt winds within 40 km of a point for central/eastern Pima County and southern Pinal County this evening. This is being driven by a couple HREF members that shows storms over Tucson that produce a strong outflow that moves through the metro and then into the Tohono O'odham Nation and Pinal County late this evening. If this does happen expect blowing dust along I-10 in Pinal County. Locally heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding will also be a threat from central Pima County eastward late this afternoon and evening. Most storms will be capable of one inch per hour rainfall rates with isolated areas approaching 3 inch totals through midnight. Because of this a Flood Watch has been issued from 4 PM to 11 PM from central Pima County east to western Cochise County including the Tucson metro and Santa Cruz County. Overnight convection looks limited after midnight with maybe a isolated showers over central or western Pima County. Thursday thunderstorm coverage and intensity looks to be a little less than today. 0-6 km shear values will be around 15-20 kts, but there will be plenty of instability and moisture values will be seasonable. CAMs show initial development over the White Mountains and Sky Islands of Cochise and Graham Counties, then spread into the lower elevations mainly south and east of Tucson. Storms will be capable of strong outflow winds, with a few storms possibly producing severe wind gusts. Storms will also be capable of heavy rainfall with an isolated flash flooding threat. Friday into early next week the high remains in a favorable position for daily afternoon and evening thunderstorms with some day to day variation in coverage and strength due to the strength of the high. Friday into Saturday the ridge increases in strength which will lead to a 2-3 degree warmup compared to today and Thursday. This could lead to a downturn in monsoon activity Friday. Saturday ensembles and deterministic models show an increase in mid-level flow, which could lead to an increase in storm coverage and intensity even with the stronger ridge in place. After Saturday heights decrease and temperatures drop to around normal next week. && .AVIATION...Valid through 07/00Z. Scattered thunderstorms expected to develop this afternoon mainly between 05/22Z to 06/05Z with lingering isolated activity through 06/08Z. Coverage around KTUS more likely 06/01Z-06/06Z and KOLS/KDUG 05/23Z-06/04Z. Gusty erratic winds of 35-50 kts possible with any thunderstorm. Cigs will be BKN 8k-12k ft AGL this afternoon and evening, slowly dissipating overnight. Expect another round of TSRA Thursday afternoon and evening south and east of Tucson. Outside of storms SFC winds WLY/NWLY at 8-12 kts with occasional afternoon gusts to 20 kts. SFC winds light and terrain driven after 06/05Z. 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. Today storms will be capable of heavy rainfall and strong to severe wind gusts. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect from 4 PM to 11 PM. Minimum relative humidity values will be 20-40 percent into early next week with temperatures 2-7 degrees above normal. Outside of thunderstorms, winds terrain driven to around 10 mph with occasional afternoon gusts to 20 mph. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 11 PM MST this evening for AZZ502>504-507- 513>515. && Hardin Visit us on Facebook, X, YouTube, and at weather.gov/Tucson
In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 5, 6:08 PM MST, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
608 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0557 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 ENE Safford 32.85N 109.63W
08/05/2026 M69 MPH Graham AZ ASOS
ASOS station KSAD Safford Regional Airport.
&&Local storm report, Aug 5, 6:28 PM MST, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
628 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0618 PM Hail 19 E Tombstone 31.76N 109.75W
08/05/2026 M1.00 Inch Cochise AZ County Official
Quarter size hail via photo.
&&
JRMThe office that day
Everything else NWS Tucson, AZ issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 5:17 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Graham, Greenlee | 58 min |
| Aug 5, 5:34 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 41 min |
| Aug 5, 5:46 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Graham, Greenlee | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 6:11 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Graham | 49 min |
| Aug 5, 6:15 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 60 min |
| Aug 5, 6:19 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 6:23 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 52 min |
| Aug 5, 6:54 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 66 min |
| Aug 5, 6:56 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Graham | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 6:56 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Graham | 43 min |
| Aug 5, 7:05 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 55 min |
| Aug 5, 7:16 PM MST | Tornado Warning | TWC | Cochise | 44 min |
| Aug 5, 7:37 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 38 min |
| Aug 5, 7:43 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Graham | 62 min |
| Aug 5, 7:44 PM MST | Tornado Warning | TWC | Cochise | 31 min |
| Aug 5, 7:48 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima, Santa Cruz | 6 hr |
| Aug 5, 7:48 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 27 min |
| Aug 5, 7:57 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 33 min |
| Aug 5, 8:00 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 8:14 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 46 min |
| Aug 5, 8:26 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 45 min |
| Aug 5, 8:31 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 59 min |
| Aug 5, 8:33 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima, Santa Cruz | 57 min |
| Aug 5, 8:54 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 8:55 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Pima | 50 min |
| Aug 5, 9:01 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 44 min |
| Aug 5, 9:02 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 43 min |
| Aug 5, 9:10 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 35 min |
| Aug 5, 9:19 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 56 min |
| Aug 5, 9:22 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima, Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 9:35 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 40 min |
| Aug 5, 9:36 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Pima | 39 min |
| Aug 5, 9:37 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 9:52 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 9:58 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise, Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 10:01 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Santa Cruz | 44 min |
| Aug 5, 10:09 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 10:18 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 57 min |
| Aug 5, 10:22 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 10:22 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 53 min |
| Aug 5, 10:54 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 44 min |
| Aug 5, 11:02 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | TWC | Pima | 118 min |
| Aug 5, 11:08 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 5, 11:30 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 60 min |
| Aug 5, 11:32 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | TWC | Pima, Pinal | 48 min |
| Aug 5, 11:40 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 2 hr |
| Aug 6, 12:05 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Cochise | 6 hr |
| Aug 6, 12:08 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 6 hr |
| Aug 6, 12:13 AM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 2 hr |
| Aug 6, 12:46 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 8 hr |
| Aug 6, 12:58 AM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Cochise | 7 hr |
| Aug 6, 5:37 AM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 6, 8:07 AM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 5 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.