Alert archive / Arizona / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 3, NWS Tucson, AZ

August 5, 2026Cochise County, Arizona

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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 5, 7:34 PM MSTHAIL 0.56 Se Sierra Vista, AZReported by Trained Spotter.
Aug 5, 7:38 PM MSTHAIL 16 Se Sierra Vista, AZTrained spotter reported between dime and quarter sized hail.
Aug 5, 7:45 PM MSTHAIL 1.256 Sse Sierra Vista, AZNickel 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Phoenix, AZ at 00:00Z on 2026-08-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 791 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Phoenix, AZ at 00:00Z on 2026-08-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 20 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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

$$

GEL
4 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

$$

GEL
223 
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

$$

GEL
946 
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

$$

GEL
721 
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.

&&

JRM
Local 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.

&&

JRM
Local 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.

&&

JRM

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 5, 5:17 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCGraham, Greenlee58 min
Aug 5, 5:34 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise41 min
Aug 5, 5:46 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCGraham, Greenlee3 hr
Aug 5, 6:11 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCGraham49 min
Aug 5, 6:15 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise60 min
Aug 5, 6:19 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Aug 5, 6:23 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz52 min
Aug 5, 6:34 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCSanta Cruz3 hr
Aug 5, 6:54 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise66 min
Aug 5, 6:56 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCGraham3 hr
Aug 5, 6:56 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCGraham43 min
Aug 5, 7:05 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz55 min
Aug 5, 7:37 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise38 min
Aug 5, 7:43 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise, Graham62 min
Aug 5, 7:44 PM MSTTornado WarningTWCCochise31 min
Aug 5, 7:48 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima, Santa Cruz6 hr
Aug 5, 7:48 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima27 min
Aug 5, 7:57 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz33 min
Aug 5, 8:00 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Aug 5, 8:14 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCSanta Cruz46 min
Aug 5, 8:26 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise45 min
Aug 5, 8:31 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise59 min
Aug 5, 8:33 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima, Santa Cruz57 min
Aug 5, 8:54 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Aug 5, 8:55 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise, Pima50 min
Aug 5, 9:01 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima44 min
Aug 5, 9:02 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise43 min
Aug 5, 9:10 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise35 min
Aug 5, 9:19 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTWCCochise56 min
Aug 5, 9:22 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatTWCPima, Santa Cruz3 hr
Aug 5, 9:35 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatTWCCochise40 min
Aug 5, 9:36 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise, Pima39 min
Aug 5, 9:37 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Aug 5, 9:52 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatTWCPima3 hr
Aug 5, 9:58 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise, Santa Cruz3 hr
Aug 5, 10:01 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCCochise, Santa Cruz44 min
Aug 5, 10:09 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Aug 5, 10:18 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima57 min
Aug 5, 10:22 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCCochise3 hr
Aug 5, 10:22 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima53 min
Aug 5, 10:54 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatTWCPima44 min
Aug 5, 11:02 PM MSTDust Storm WarningTWCPima118 min
Aug 5, 11:08 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima3 hr
Aug 5, 11:30 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTWCPima60 min
Aug 5, 11:32 PM MSTDust Storm WarningTWCPima, Pinal48 min
Aug 5, 11:40 PM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima2 hr
Aug 6, 12:05 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise6 hr
Aug 6, 12:08 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima6 hr
Aug 6, 12:13 AM MSTFlash Flood WarningTWCPima2 hr
Aug 6, 12:46 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCPima8 hr
Aug 6, 12:58 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryTWCCochise7 hr
Aug 6, 5:37 AM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatTWCPima3 hr
Aug 6, 8:07 AM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatTWCPima5 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.