Alert archive / Arizona / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 85, NWS Tucson, AZ
NWS Tucson, AZ issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 3, 2026, 2:05 PM MST for Santa Cruz County, Arizona. It was in force for 40 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
- Aug 3, 2026, 2:05 PM MST (21:05 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 3, 2026, 2:45 PM MST
- In force
- 40 min
- Issued by
- NWS Tucson, AZ
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
County Santa Cruz County, AZ
The radar
The Tucson radar (KEMX), 43 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:08 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 nearest sounding before it
Phoenix, AZ (KPSR), launched 12:00Z, 9.1 hours before the alert went out and 251 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
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
503
WUUS55 KTWC 032105
SVRTWC
AZC023-032145-
/O.NEW.KTWC.SV.W.0085.260803T2105Z-260803T2145Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
205 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Santa Cruz County in southeastern Arizona...
* Until 245 PM MST.
* At 205 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles south of
Elgin, moving southwest at 10 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Patagonia, Elgin, Canelo and Lochiel.
This includes the following highways...
Route 82 between mile markers 19 and 24. Route 83 between mile
markers 7 and 24.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.
&&
LAT...LON 3164 11048 3161 11046 3146 11046 3133 11053
3133 11070 3159 11079
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 65DEG 8KT 3155 11053
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
JRM2 follow-up statements
106
WWUS55 KTWC 032114
SVSTWC
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
214 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
AZC023-032145-
/O.CON.KTWC.SV.W.0085.000000T0000Z-260803T2145Z/
Santa Cruz AZ-
214 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM MST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY...
At 214 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles south of
Elgin, moving southwest at 5 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Patagonia and Canelo.
This includes the following highways...
Route 82 between mile markers 19 and 24. Route 83 between mile
markers 7 and 22.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.
&&
LAT...LON 3161 11051 3161 11046 3146 11046 3137 11071
3159 11079
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 63DEG 5KT 3156 11050
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
JRM085
WWUS55 KTWC 032145 RRA
SVSTWC
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
245 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
AZC023-032155-
/O.EXP.KTWC.SV.W.0085.000000T0000Z-260803T2145Z/
Santa Cruz AZ-
245 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR SOUTHEASTERN SANTA
CRUZ 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 has been allowed to expire. However, gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3161 11051 3161 11046 3146 11046 3137 11071
3159 11079
TIME...MOT...LOC 2114Z 63DEG 5KT 3155 11052
$$
JRMWhat 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 Aug 3, 1:17 PM MST, 48 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 3, 1:17 PM MST, 48 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 Visit us on Facebook, X, YouTube, and at weather.gov/Tucson
The office that day
Everything else NWS Tucson, AZ issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2, 8:59 PM MST | Blowing Dust Advisory | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz | 25 hr |
| Aug 2, 8:59 PM MST | Flood Watch | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Pima, Santa Cruz | 25 hr |
| Aug 3, 2:21 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 39 min |
| Aug 3, 2:26 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima, Santa Cruz | 49 min |
| Aug 3, 2:40 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Aug 3, 2:56 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 49 min |
| Aug 3, 3:04 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 3, 3:08 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 32 min |
| Aug 3, 3:32 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| Aug 3, 3:39 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 26 min |
| Aug 3, 3:42 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Graham | 48 min |
| Aug 3, 4:08 PM MST | Areal Flood Advisory | TWC | Pima | 3 hr |
| Aug 3, 4:22 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 53 min |
| Aug 3, 4:28 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 2 hr |
| Aug 3, 4:28 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 62 min |
| Aug 3, 4:38 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 52 min |
| Aug 3, 4:43 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 34 min |
| Aug 3, 4:59 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz | 46 min |
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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.