Alert archive / Arizona / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 3, NWS Tucson, AZ
NWS Tucson, AZ issued this tornado warning at Aug 5, 2026, 7:16 PM MST for Cochise County, Arizona. It was in force for 44 min. 3 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 5, 2026, 7:16 PM MST (02:16 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 5, 2026, 8:00 PM MST
- In force
- 44 min
- Issued by
- NWS Tucson, AZ
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
County Cochise County, AZ
The radar
The Tucson radar (KEMX), 59 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:18 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, 7:34 PM MST | HAIL 0.5 | 6 Se Sierra Vista, AZ | Reported by Trained Spotter. |
| Aug 5, 7:38 PM MST | HAIL 1 | 6 Se Sierra Vista, AZ | Trained spotter reported between dime and quarter sized hail. |
| Aug 5, 7:45 PM MST | HAIL 1.25 | 6 Sse Sierra Vista, AZ | Nickel to Half Dollar size hail. Social media photo. |
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 tornado 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, 2.3 hours before the alert went out and 269 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.
019
WFUS55 KTWC 060216
TORTWC
AZC003-060300-
/O.NEW.KTWC.TO.W.0003.260806T0216Z-260806T0300Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
716 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Cochise County in southeastern Arizona...
* Until 800 PM MST.
* At 716 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Sierra Vista, moving southwest at 5 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
* Locations impacted include...
Sierra Vista.
This includes the following highways...
Route 90 between mile markers 319 and 336. Route 80 near mile marker
333. Route 92 between mile markers 322 and 327.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3163 11009 3149 11000 3146 11027 3161 11029
TIME...MOT...LOC 0216Z 65DEG 5KT 3155 11015
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
GEL4 follow-up statements
523
WWUS55 KTWC 060223
SVSTWC
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
723 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
AZC003-060300-
/O.CON.KTWC.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260806T0300Z/
Cochise AZ-
723 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST FOR SOUTHWESTERN
COCHISE COUNTY...
At 723 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located about 5 miles east of Sierra Vista, moving southwest at
15 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Sierra Vista.
This includes the following highways...
Route 90 between mile markers 319 and 333. Route 92 between mile
markers 322 and 327.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3162 11011 3149 11004 3146 11027 3161 11029
TIME...MOT...LOC 0216Z 59DEG 11KT 3155 11014
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
GEL223
WWUS55 KTWC 060229
SVSTWC
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
729 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
AZC003-060300-
/O.CON.KTWC.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260806T0300Z/
Cochise AZ-
729 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST FOR SOUTHWESTERN
COCHISE COUNTY...
At 729 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near about 5 miles east of Sierra Vista, moving southwest
at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Sierra Vista.
This includes the following highways...
Route 90 between mile markers 319 and 329. Route 92 between mile
markers 322 and 327.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3161 11015 3148 11010 3146 11027 3161 11029
TIME...MOT...LOC 0223Z 59DEG 11KT 3154 11016
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
GEL946
WWUS55 KTWC 060235
SVSTWC
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
735 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
AZC003-060300-
/O.CON.KTWC.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260806T0300Z/
Cochise AZ-
735 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST FOR SOUTHWESTERN
COCHISE COUNTY...
At 735 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Sierra Vista, moving west at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Sierra Vista.
This includes the following highways...
Route 90 between mile markers 319 and 325. Route 92 between mile
markers 322 and 327.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3160 11020 3147 11018 3146 11027 3160 11029
TIME...MOT...LOC 0229Z 67DEG 13KT 3154 11020
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
GEL721 WWUS55 KTWC 060256 SVSTWC Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Tucson AZ 756 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026 AZC003-060306- /O.EXP.KTWC.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260806T0300Z/ Cochise AZ- 756 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026 ...TORNADO WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MST FOR SOUTHWESTERN COCHISE COUNTY... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the Sierra Vista area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm. && LAT...LON 3160 11020 3147 11018 3146 11027 3160 11029 TIME...MOT...LOC 0235Z 67DEG 13KT 3153 11023 $$ GEL
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Aug 5, 2:27 PM MST, 4 hours 49 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 5, 2:27 PM MST, 4 hours 49 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, 1 hour 8 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, 48 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.
&&
JRMLocal storm report, Aug 5, 6:42 PM MST, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
642 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0640 PM Rain 1 WSW Patagonia 31.54N 110.76W
08/05/2026 M0.42 Inch Santa Cruz AZ Mesonet
0.42 inches of rain in 5 mins. 0.6 inches in
10 mins.
&&
JRMLocal storm report, Aug 5, 6:56 PM MST, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
656 PM MST Wed Aug 5 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0656 PM Rain 3 S Thatcher 32.79N 109.77W
08/05/2026 M0.51 Inch Graham AZ Mesonet
0.51 inches of rain in 10 mins.
&&
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, 6:34 PM MST | Flash Flood Warning | TWC | Santa Cruz | 3 hr |
| 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, 7:37 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
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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.