Alert archive / Arizona / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 99, NWS Tucson, AZ
NWS Tucson, AZ issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 3, 2026, 5:29 PM MST for Cochise County, Arizona. It was in force for 46 min. 2 reports 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, 5:29 PM MST (00:29 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 3, 2026, 6:15 PM MST
- In force
- 46 min
- Issued by
- NWS Tucson, AZ
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 70.0 mph
County Cochise County, AZ
The radar
The Tucson radar (KEMX), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:33 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 3, 5:30 PM MST | TSTM WND DMG | 13 Sse Willcox, AZ | Delayed report. 14 power poles down in Kansas Settlement. |
| Aug 3, 5:35 PM MST | TSTM WND DMG | 12 Se Willcox, AZ | Delayed report. Large silo destroyed, fencing knocked down, and large tree knocked down on Arzberger Rd in Willcox. |
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 2 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 1 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
Phoenix, AZ (KPSR), launched 00:00Z, 0.5 hours before the alert went out and 259 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
- 119 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -158 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 3631 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 17 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 27 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 52 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
177
WUUS55 KTWC 040029 RRA
SVRTWC
AZC003-040115-
/O.NEW.KTWC.SV.W.0099.260804T0029Z-260804T0115Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
529 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Central Cochise County in southeastern Arizona...
* Until 615 PM MST.
* At 529 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located 14 miles northeast
of Pearce-Sunsites, moving southwest at 15 mph.
HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and small hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to
mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.
* Locations impacted include...
Pearce-Sunsites, Cochise, Sunizona and Kansas Settlement.
This includes the following highways...
Route 181 between mile markers 39 and 58. Route 191 between mile
markers 31 and 66. Route 186 between mile markers 332 and 357.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Anyone outdoors should move to shelter inside a well-built structure
and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing
widespread damaging winds.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3221 10983 3226 10955 3202 10945 3172 10952
3184 10994 3217 10995
TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 24DEG 11KT 3205 10967
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH
$$
JRM1 follow-up statement
264
WWUS55 KTWC 040108
SVSTWC
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
608 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
AZC003-040118-
/O.EXP.KTWC.SV.W.0099.000000T0000Z-260804T0115Z/
Cochise AZ-
608 PM MST Mon Aug 3 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 615 PM MST FOR CENTRAL
COCHISE COUNTY...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service
office.
&&
LAT...LON 3221 10983 3226 10955 3202 10945 3172 10952
3184 10994 3217 10995
TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 24DEG 11KT 3205 10967
$$
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, 4 hours 12 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 3, 1:17 PM MST, 4 hours 12 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
In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 3, 2:58 PM MST, 2 hours 31 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, 57 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, 41 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 3, 5:07 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 53 min |
| Aug 3, 5:13 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 3 hr |
| Aug 3, 5:29 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 61 min |
| Aug 3, 5:42 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz | 63 min |
| Aug 3, 6:13 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise | 32 min |
| Aug 3, 6:21 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Cochise, Graham | 54 min |
| Aug 3, 6:33 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 42 min |
| Aug 3, 6:58 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 47 min |
| Aug 3, 7:09 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 51 min |
| Aug 3, 7:23 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | TWC | Pima, Pinal | 85 min |
| Aug 3, 7:28 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima, Santa Cruz | 62 min |
| Aug 3, 7:50 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | TWC | Pima, Santa Cruz | 115 min |
| Aug 3, 8:02 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Cochise | 118 min |
| Aug 3, 8:18 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 57 min |
| Aug 3, 8:43 PM MST | Dust Storm Warning | TWC | Pinal | 62 min |
| Aug 3, 8:57 PM MST | Tornado Warning | TWC | Pima | 34 min |
| Aug 3, 9:15 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Pima | 60 min |
| Aug 3, 9:18 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Pima | 36 min |
| Aug 3, 9:39 PM MST | Tornado Warning | TWC | Pima | 21 min |
| Aug 4, 1:41 AM MST | Blowing Dust Advisory | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz | 18 hr |
| Aug 4, 8:04 AM MST | Flood Watch | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz | 14 hr |
| Aug 4, 4:39 PM MST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TWC | Greenlee | 51 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.