Alert archive / Arizona / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 293, NWS Tucson, AZ

September 29, 2026Pima County, Arizona

NWS Tucson, AZ issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 29, 2026, 12:55 PM MST for Pima County, Arizona. It was in force for 35 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Sep 29, 2026, 12:55 PM MST (19:55 UTC)
Expired
Sep 29, 2026, 1:30 PM MST
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Tucson, AZ
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Possible
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Pima County, AZ

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 26 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:55 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 severe thunderstorm 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 text

As transmitted.

753 
WUUS55 KTWC 291955
SVRTWC
AZC019-292030-
/O.NEW.KTWC.SV.W.0293.260929T1955Z-260929T2030Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
1255 PM MST Tue Sep 29 2026

The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  East Central Pima County in southeastern Arizona...

* Until 130 PM MST.

* At 1255 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Summit,
  moving northeast at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and small hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Tucson, Sahuarita, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Vail, Corona De
  Tucson, East Sahuarita, San Xavier Community, Summit, Tucson
  International Airport and Rita Ranch.

This includes the following highways...
Interstate 19 between mile markers 44 and 56. Interstate 10 between
mile markers 267 and 284. Route 83 between mile markers 55 and 58.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.

Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Seek shelter
immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
structure.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3190 11098 3209 11101 3221 11074 3196 11063
TIME...MOT...LOC 1954Z 235DEG 28KT 3205 11089

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$
2 follow-up statements
564 
WWUS55 KTWC 292012
SVSTWC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
112 PM MST Tue Sep 29 2026

AZC019-292030-
/O.CON.KTWC.SV.W.0293.000000T0000Z-260929T2030Z/
Pima AZ-
112 PM MST Tue Sep 29 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 PM MST FOR
EAST CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY...

At 112 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Vail, moving
northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and small hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
  Tucson, Vail, Corona De Tucson, East Sahuarita and Rita Ranch.

This includes the following highways...
Interstate 10 between mile markers 268 and 284. Route 83 between mile
markers 55 and 58.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.

Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Seek shelter
immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
structure.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3191 11094 3214 11088 3221 11074 3196 11063
TIME...MOT...LOC 1955Z 245DEG 24KT 3200 11090

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$
360 
WWUS55 KTWC 292021
SVSTWC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
121 PM MST Tue Sep 29 2026

AZC019-292031-
/O.EXP.KTWC.SV.W.0293.000000T0000Z-260929T2030Z/
Pima AZ-
121 PM MST Tue Sep 29 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 130 PM MST FOR EAST
CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, gusty
winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3191 11094 3214 11088 3221 11074 3196 11063
TIME...MOT...LOC 2012Z 245DEG 24KT 3205 11077

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Sep 29, 10:08 AM MST, 2 hours 47 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 29, 10:08 AM MST, 2 hours 47 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
1008 AM MST Tue Sep 29 2026

.SYNOPSIS...
A strong upper-level weather disturbance in southeast
California will make its way east through Arizona today. This
system will interact with deep tropical moisture producing
widespread showers and thunderstorms across Southeast Arizona.
These storms will be capable of producing heavy rainfall that
could lead to flash flooding concerns. Thereafter, dry conditions
are forecast for the second half of next week. High temperatures
will be 10 to 15 degrees below today and Wednesday, then
warm back up to near normal late this week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Focus for today continued to be two bands of moderate to heavy
rainfall slowly translating east across southeast Arizona. The
western-most aligned from southwest to northeast, from between
serapos gate and Newfield, to north of Peridot. The second band
extends from southeast Santa Cruz county to southern Greenlee
county. Rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are noted with
each band. Sabino Canyon wash is at minor flood stage and may go
to moderate flood stage with next band now moving through the
Tucson area. Flooding is increasingly likely along additional
washes in Pima, Santa Cruz, southern Pinal and Cochise
counties.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
The upper pattern this morning is defined by a
strong upper-low centered across southeast California and
Hurricane Polo (a category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained
winds of 110 mph near 25.9N/112.2W or over the southern Baja
Peninsula, moving NE at 11 kts). Polo is forecast to rapidly
weaken as it accelerates toward the NE today, moving south of
Hermosillo Mexico as a category 1 hurricane by 29/12Z this
morning, then south of the New Mexico Bootheel in NW Chihuahua
MX as a remnant low by 30/00Z this afternoon.

The latest satellite and radar imagery indicated a band of showers
with a few embedded thunderstorms that extend from Organ Pipe to
Casa Grande to Globe early this morning which coincide with a
deformation/lift axis aloft (between 500-300 mb). Elsewhere,
there are a batch of scattered showers and thunderstorms developing
across west-central and southwest Arizona that are associated
with the generalized lift out ahead of the core of the upper-
low in SE CA. The latest GOES precipitable water imagery
indicated deep tropical moisture across Southeast Arizona with
PWATs 1.50-1.75 inches extending through central Pima county
into Pinal county and PWATs 1.25-1.50 inches elsewhere across
Southeast Arizona.

Showers and thunderstorms start becoming widespread across Southeast
Arizona around daybreak this morning as the upper-low moves southeast,
elongates/amplifies along western Arizona and becomes more neutrally
oriented. This will shift that deformation band/axis east,
setting up along a line from the southern Baboquivari Mountains
to Three Points to the Catalina Mountains to Bylas.

This is where things get interesting. With that deep plume of
tropical moisture to the SW of Tucson and strengthening
pressure gradients in the low-to-mid levels as the trough re-
orients, we begin to see an area of strong moisture flux
convergence develop in the lower-levels (850-700mb). This
moisture convergence will be broad over the majority of
Southeast Arizona, but will especially enhance convection and
increase the potential for additional storms to develop and move
over the same area in that aforementioned area of
deformation/lift aloft. So, initially we will see light to
moderate rainfall in this band early this morning becoming more
moderate intensity after daybreak. Then during the mid-morning,
rainfall intensity will pick up again and become moderate to
heavy. This will then persist into the early afternoon with the
surface front itself eventually swinging from west to east
across Southeast Arizona impacting this area again.

This line is particularly concerning today. This is supported
by the 29/00Z HREF 3-hr QPF PMM neighborhood probabilities in
this area, with probabilities between 70-90% for 1.00+ inch at
the 15Z, 18Z and 21Z time intervals. In addition, there is a
10% probability for 3.00+ inches at both the 15Z and 18Z time
frames. That is a major bullseye for the HREF, and it has been
showing a line like this develop for several model-runs which
increases my confidence in something big happening. It can be
5-15 miles east or west of this line, but as it is currently
aligned, this would specifically impact the Altar/Black/Brawley
Washes that are the more flood-prone locations to the SW and W
of Tucson. If it is farther east, this will significantly impact
the NW half of the Tucson Metro Area and the Catalina Mountains
(i.e CDO, Sabino Creek, Tanque Verde Creek). At this time, the
official forecast is for 1.50-2.50 inches along and near this
line with up to 3.00-3.50 inches in the higher terrain. Given
these amounts over a widespread area, flash flooding is a major
concern.

Elsewhere, heavy rainfall will impact the entire forecast area
as widespread showers and thunderstorms occur with the general
deformation aloft associated with the approaching trough as well
as the surface frontal band that swings thru the area from west
to east this afternoon. Rainfall runoff will result in running
water in normally dry washes and roadway dips with significant
ponding of water likely in low-lying areas and other flood-prone
locations. Isolated to scattered locations may experience flash
flooding with this event. Longer-term heavy flows will also be
possible tonight into Wednesday within the main-stem drainages
due to widespread heavy rainfall. There is a Flash Flood Watch
in effect through 11 PM MST this evening.

Not to be lost in the mix, severe storms will be possible this
afternoon but should be considered a secondary threat compared
to the risk of flash flooding. As the upper-level low tracks
across the area, decent forcing, marginal CAPE and abundant
shear will be present. Therefore, expect strong to perhaps
isolated severe storms with brief low-top supercells possible.

Otherwise, lingering instability and moisture will be present
tonight into Wednesday morning for additional shower activity,
but drier air will quickly lower precipitation chances through
the day. A ridge of high pressure then builds into the Desert
Southwest the second half of the work week, shutting down
thunderstorm activity.

&&

.AVIATION /16Z TUESDAY THROUGH 16Z WEDNESDAY/...
Valid through 30/12Z. SCT-BKN 5-8k ft AGL with BKN-
OVC 10-14k ft AGL this morning through this afternoon, with
decreasing cloud cover and storms this evening and overnight.
Widespread -SHRA/-TSRA expanding in coverage and intensity this
morning and persisting into the afternoon. Generally VFR with
brief MVFR possible under heavier showers/storms. MVFR CIGs
possible this morning with VIS down to 3-5 miles along with a
slight chance of brief IFR for KTUS/KOLS. Mtn obscuration likely
this morning through this afternoon. Gusty winds to 35 kts may
accompany stronger storms. Aviation discussion not updated for
TAF amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
A strong upper-level weather disturbance in
southeast California will make its way east through Arizona
today. This system will interact with deep tropical moisture
producing widespread showers and thunderstorms across Southeast
Arizona. These storms will be capable of producing heavy
rainfall that could lead to flash flooding concerns. Thereafter,
dry conditions are forecast for the second half of next week.
High temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees below today and
Wednesday, then warm back up to near normal late this week.
Minimum RH values 35-55 percent in valley locations and 50-75
percent in the mountains today through Wednesday, generally
lowering to 15-25 percent the second half of the week as drier
air moves into the region. 20-foot winds will be less than 15
mph into mid-week, then gusty east to southeast winds possible
the second half of the week. Breezy southwest to west winds will
be possible along the surface front as it moves across the area
today.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through this evening for AZZ501>515.

&&

SYNOPSIS...
UPDATE...Tripoli
DISCUSSION...Tripoli
AVIATION...
FIRE WEATHER...

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In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 29, 9:36 AM MST, 3 hours 19 minutes before
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Local storm report, Sep 29, 9:45 AM MST, 3 hours 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
945 AM MST Tue Sep 29 2026

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

0830 AM     Flash Flood      11 NNW Pisinemo         32.19N 112.37W
09/29/2026                   Pima               AZ   911 Call Center

            Washes impassable SR 86 MM 75-84.

&&

LJT
Local storm report, Sep 29, 11:17 AM MST, 1 hour 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
1117 AM MST Tue Sep 29 2026

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

0935 AM     Flash Flood      6 NNE Avra Valley       32.52N 111.28W
09/29/2026                   Pinal              AZ   Local Official

            Water rescue. Reported by local official.

1036 AM     Flash Flood      14 NNE Avra Valley      32.62N 111.21W
09/29/2026                   Pinal              AZ   Dept of Highways

            Park Link Dr. closed from Cattle Tank Road
            to Camino Adelante due to flooding.

1043 AM     Flash Flood      Dudleyville             32.91N 110.73W
09/29/2026                   Pinal              AZ   Dept of Highways

            Flooded roadway on N Dudleyville Rd both
            from AZ77 to N Facio Rd.

1114 AM     Flash Flood      12 SE Eloy              32.65N 111.39W
09/29/2026                   Pinal              AZ   Dept of Highways

            Camino Adelante closed from Picacho Peak
            Lane to Park Link Dr due to flooded roadway.

0830 AM     Flash Flood      11 NNW Pisinemo         32.19N 112.37W
09/29/2026                   Pima               AZ   911 Call Center

            Washes impassable SR 86 MM 75-84.

1040 AM     Flash Flood      3 ESE Marana            32.40N 111.13W
09/29/2026                   Pima               AZ   Dept of Highways

            Flooding on I-10 Westbound near E Camino
            Adelante (MP 228).

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 29, 8:24 AM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise8 hr
Sep 29, 8:32 AM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima, Pinal7 hr
Sep 29, 9:12 AM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima7 hr
Sep 29, 9:40 AM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima, Pinal6 hr
Sep 29, 9:53 AM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 hr
Sep 29, 9:54 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise9 hr
Sep 29, 9:57 AM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima48 min
Sep 29, 10:09 AM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCGraham, Pima, Pinal38 min
Sep 29, 10:27 AM MSTRiver Flood WarningTWCGraham37 hr
Sep 29, 10:37 AM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima6 hr
Sep 29, 10:40 AM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPinal5 hr
Sep 29, 10:59 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCGreenlee3 hr
Sep 29, 11:25 AM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima, Pinal40 min
Sep 29, 11:36 AM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCGraham, Pinal4 hr
Sep 29, 12:20 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise7 hr
Sep 29, 12:30 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise, Pima6 hr
Sep 29, 12:56 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima4 hr
Sep 29, 1:24 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCGraham, Greenlee8 hr
Sep 29, 1:59 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPinal56 min
Sep 29, 2:08 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCGreenlee4 hr
Sep 29, 2:34 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima14 hr
Sep 29, 2:38 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise, Graham6 hr
Sep 29, 2:44 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise, Santa Cruz6 hr
Sep 29, 2:55 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCPinal9 hr
Sep 29, 2:59 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise, Graham31 min
Sep 29, 3:14 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCPinal12 hr
Sep 29, 3:16 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCPima, Pinal12 hr
Sep 29, 3:16 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCGraham, Pima, Pinal12 hr
Sep 29, 3:18 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCCochise, Graham, Pima, Pinal8 hr
Sep 29, 4:00 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCPima7 hr
Sep 29, 4:17 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise5 hr
Sep 29, 4:23 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise5 hr
Sep 29, 4:25 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Sep 29, 4:27 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningTWCPima6 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Arizona, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.