Alert archive / Arizona / Red Flag Warnings in 2026

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Tucson, AZ

April 11, 20266 counties in Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this red flag warning at Apr 11, 2026, 1:05 AM MST for 6 counties in Arizona. It took effect at Apr 12, 2026, 11:00 AM MST. It was in force for 7 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Apr 11, 2026, 1:05 AM MST (08:05 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 12, 2026, 11:00 AM MST
Expired
Apr 12, 2026, 6:14 PM MST
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ

Counties Cochise County, AZ, Graham County, AZ, Greenlee County, AZ, Pima County, AZ, Pinal County, AZ, Santa Cruz County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:07 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Flgstf/Belemont, AZ (KFGZ), launched 00:00Z, 8.1 hours before the alert went out and 335 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, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 00:00Z on 2026-04-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 5 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 00:00Z on 2026-04-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 95 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
5 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-21 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2259 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
95 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
129 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

280 
WWUS85 KTWC 110805
RFWTWC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
105 AM MST Sat Apr 11 2026

AZZ150>152-112300-
/O.UPG.KTWC.FW.A.0001.260412T1800Z-260413T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KTWC.FW.W.0003.260412T1800Z-260413T0300Z/
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150
Sonoran FDRA-Most of Pima County-South Central Pinal County-
Tohono O'odham Nation-Tucson Metropolitan area-TDC-
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151
Western half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southeast corner of Pinal County-
Extreme Eastern Pima County-Western third of Cochise County-
Santa Cruz County-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152
Eastern half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southwest Graham County and Eastern two thirds of
Cochise County-Southern San Carlos Reservation-
Southern Greenlee County below 5000 feet-TDC-
105 AM MST Sat Apr 11 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST SUNDAY FOR
STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND HIGH FIRE
DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 150, 151, AND 152...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 150, 151 and 152.

* TIMING...From 11 AM to 8 PM MST Sunday.

* WINDS...Southwest 18 to 25 mph with gusts 35 to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...8 to 14 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the 
  potential to spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A
combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry
vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire
growth.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona.

&&

$$

Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
3 follow-up statements
521 
WWUS85 KTWC 111802
RFWTWC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
1102 AM MST Sat Apr 11 2026

AZZ150>152-121200-
/O.CON.KTWC.FW.W.0003.260412T1800Z-260413T0300Z/
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150
Sonoran FDRA-Most of Pima County-South Central Pinal County-
Tohono O'odham Nation-Tucson Metropolitan area-TDC-
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151
Western half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southeast corner of Pinal County-
Extreme Eastern Pima County-Western third of Cochise County-
Santa Cruz County-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152
Eastern half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southwest Graham County and Eastern two thirds of
Cochise County-Southern San Carlos Reservation-
Southern Greenlee County below 5000 feet-TDC-
1102 AM MST Sat Apr 11 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST
SUNDAY FOR STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND
HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 150, 151, AND 152...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 150, 151 and 152.

* TIMING...From 11 AM to 8 PM MST Sunday.

* WINDS...Southwest 18 to 25 mph with gusts 35 to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...8 to 14 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the 
  potential to spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A
combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry
vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire
growth.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona.

&&

$$

Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
086 
WWUS85 KTWC 120830
RFWTWC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
130 AM MST Sun Apr 12 2026

AZZ150>152-130300-
/O.CON.KTWC.FW.W.0003.260412T1800Z-260413T0300Z/
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150
Sonoran FDRA-Most of Pima County-South Central Pinal County-
Tohono O'odham Nation-Tucson Metropolitan area-TDC-
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151
Western half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southeast corner of Pinal County-
Extreme Eastern Pima County-Western third of Cochise County-
Santa Cruz County-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152
Eastern half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southwest Graham County and Eastern two thirds of
Cochise County-Southern San Carlos Reservation-
Southern Greenlee County below 5000 feet-TDC-
130 AM MST Sun Apr 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY, AND HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 150, 151,
AND 152...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 150, 151 and 152.

* TIMING...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MST this evening.

* WINDS...Southwest 18 to 25 mph with gusts 35 to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...8 to 14 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the 
  potential to spread rapidly.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A
combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry
vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire
growth.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona.

&&

$$

Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
006 
WWUS85 KTWC 130114
RFWTWC

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
614 PM MST Sun Apr 12 2026

AZZ150>152-130215-
/O.CAN.KTWC.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260413T0300Z/
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150
Sonoran FDRA-Most of Pima County-South Central Pinal County-
Tohono O'odham Nation-Tucson Metropolitan area-TDC-
Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151
Western half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southeast corner of Pinal County-
Extreme Eastern Pima County-Western third of Cochise County-
Santa Cruz County-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152
Eastern half Desert Grasslands FDRA including elevations up to
5500 feet in Southwest Graham County and Eastern two thirds of
Cochise County-Southern San Carlos Reservation-
Southern Greenlee County below 5000 feet-TDC-
614 PM MST Sun Apr 12 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS, LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
150, 151, AND 152...

The National Weather Service in Tucson has cancelled the Red Flag
Warning.

Breezy winds will continue across southeast Arizona for the next 
couple of hours. However, relative humidity values have risen 
above critical levels, with most locations reporting relative 
humidity values between 20 and 30 percent. Therefore, the Red
Flag Warning has been cancelled. 

$$

Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this red flag 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 red flag warning went out at Apr 10, 11:00 AM MST, 14 hours 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 10, 11:00 AM MST, 14 hours 5 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
1100 AM MST Fri Apr 10 2026

.SYNOPSIS...

High temperatures will be 4-8 degrees above normal the next
couple of days. Breezy winds each afternoon through Monday.
Cooler air leading to high temperatures 4-6 degrees below normal
early next week and bring a slight chance for precip north and
east of Tucson Monday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

The current upper air pattern is defined by a strong cut off low
situated off the coast of northern California. While this system
is fairly dry for us, this is leading to increased cloud cover
and breezy west to southwest afternoon winds today. There were
indications for a slight chance (10-20%) for precipitation for
areas out east today, however in the last 12 hours those signals
have decreased. While there are strong upper level winds, there
is a lack of instability and moisture. Satellite derived PWATs
observe the greatest values range between 0.25 to 0.5 inches
with surface dew point forecast to be in the 30s this afternoon.
High temperatures will be 4-8 degrees above normal today with
temperatures in the 80s to low 90s.

Starting this evening, the upper level pattern will be fairly
progressive with several shortwave troughs passing through the
region. The aforementioned cut off low will be, essentially,
absorbed by a secondary cut off low moving in from the Aleutians
early Saturday. The remnant energy from the first low will
transcend to a shortwave trough that will extend southward as
far as Central Mexico. This shortwave trough will bring very dry
conditions and breezy southwest to west winds Sunday afternoon.
Relative humidity will drop into the teens to single digits
and sustained wind speeds 15-20 mph and gusts 25-30 mph lead to near
critical fire weather conditions forecast. A Fire Weather Watch
has been issued from eastern Pima and Pinal counties to the
Arizona/ New Mexico border for Sunday afternoon. Winds will
continue to stay elevated Monday (and even be little bit
stronger than Sunday) however, the secondary cut off low will
move into the Great Basin area introducing moisture into the
region lessening the concern for fire weather conditions.

As the system passes through Monday and Tuesday temperatures
will lower to near normal to just below normal with highs in the
70s to low 80s. There is a chance (15-30%) for light precipitation
Monday night into Tuesday focused to areas north and northeast
of Tucson. By the middle of the week semi- zonal flow with
general troughiness to the west will return, raising
temperatures to near normal with typical afternon breezes. By
the end of the week there is potential for another trough to
push into southern Arizona however there is disagreement amongst
the models how deep this trough will extend and the associated
intensity.

&&

.AVIATION... Valid though 12/00Z.

SCT-BKN clouds AOA 20k feet AGL for most of the period with FEW-SCT
10k-15k AGL. Some cloud buildups will be possible along the AZ/NM
border this afternoon with additional afternoon buildups Saturday.
Low confidence that any outflows from buildups will affect any
terminals. Sfc winds 10-15 kts with gusts 20-25 kts this afternoon,
then subside after 12/03Z becoming light and terrain driven again.
Winds become southwest and increase to 12-16 kts with gusts to 25
kts after 11/18Z. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF
amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Afternoon winds west/southwest 10-15 mph today as a Pacific
system approaches the region. Southwest winds increase further
this weekend as a system crosses the region, becoming 15-20 mph
with gusts 25 to 30 mph. With this system continuing to look
drier, the combination of critical winds and relative humidity
will result in the potential for fire weather concerns as early
as Saturday, but especially on Sunday. RH values will likely be
a bit too high on Saturday and Monday. As a result a Fire
Weather Watch is in effect for Sunday. While winds remain gusty
early next work week, cooler temperatures and increased moisture
Monday should help mitigate widespread fire weather concerns.
Thereafter, winds generally 15 mph or less through the middle of
next week.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Fire Weather Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday evening
for AZZ150>152.

&&

Malarkey/Edwards

Visit us on Facebook, X, YouTube, and at weather.gov/Tucson

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Arizona, 2026Every red flag 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.