Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in Arizona, August 5, 2012

Name: Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in Arizona, August 5, 2012
Start: 2012-08-05T18:15
End: 2012-08-05T19:30
Location: Arizona

August 5, 2012 · NWS TWC · 4 events in 1 county or zone

A mid level trough traveled northwest around elongated upper level high pressure, which stretched from eastern Arizona eastward to Arkansas. The trough, accompanied by increased mid level moisture, enhanced thunderstorms over Santa Cruz, Pima and Pinal Counties.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $84,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS TWC wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Aug 5, 2:20 PM MST, 3 hours 55 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 5, 2:20 PM MST, 3 hours 55 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
220 PM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

.SYNOPSIS...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING AND MONDAY BEFORE
A MODEST DRYING TREND WILL SEE LESS THUNDERSTORM COVERAGE FOR MUCH
OF THE WEEK. STRONG HIGH PRESSURE WILL BRING HOTTER TEMPERATURES.

&&

.DISCUSSION...A COUPLE OF MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE VORTICES EMBEDDED IN
THE SOUTHERLY FLOW WERE COMPLICATING THE FORECAST FOR TODAY. THE
FIRST MCV WAS LIFTING NORTHWARD THROUGH CENTRAL ARIZONA...WITH
SUBSIDENCE IN ITS WAKE OVER SOUTHEAST ARIZONA. THIS SUBSIDENCE
HELPED CLEAR SKIES ACROSS THE AREA THIS MORNING...WITH SHALLOW
CUMULUS CLOUDS NOW STARTING TO FORM EARLY THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE
SURFACE HEATING KICKING IN. THE OTHER MCV WAS CENTERED OVER SONORA
MEXICO SOUTH OF AJO. THIS FEATURE WAS ALSO LIFTING NORTHWARD AND
APPEARED TO BE AIDING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLOUDS OVER CENTRAL AND
WESTERN PIMA COUNTY. THESE TWO FEATURES COMBINED WITH THE INFLUENCES
OF AN INVERTED TROUGH PASSING THROUGH NORTHERN MEXICO POSE SOME
UNCERTAINTIES FOR THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT. THE CURRENT THINKING WAS
THAT THE SUBSIDENCE WILL WEAKEN AS THE MCV OVER CENTRAL ARIZONA
TRACKS FARTHER NORTH. AS THIS HAPPENS...SHOULD START TO SEE THE
INFLUENCE OF THE INVERTED TROUGH AND THE SECOND MCV COMING TOGETHER
TO AID IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS EVENING. ALSO
EXPECTING THE INVERTED TROUGH TO HELP FORM ANOTHER MCS OVER NORTHERN
MEXICO THAT WILL SEND OUTFLOW INTO SOUTHERN ARIZONA TRIGGERING MORE
SHOWERS OVERNIGHT TONIGHT. THEREAFTER...HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT BUILDS
WESTWARD THROUGH MID WEEK. THIS WILL CHOKE OFF THE DEEPER MOISTURE
ONCE AGAIN...AND STABILIZE THE AIRMASS WITH WARMING ALOFT. AS A
RESULT...LIMITED THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WILL BE FORECAST AFTER
TUESDAY WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES REMAINING ABOVE NORMAL.

&&

.AVIATION...SCT-BKN 100-120. WIND SPEEDS GENERALLY LESS THAN 10 KTS.
ISOLD-SCT TSRA DVLPG THRU 06/16Z...WITH WIND GUSTS TO 40 KTS NEAR
THE THUNDERSTORMS. AVIATION DISCUSSION NOT UPDATED FOR TAF
AMENDMENTS.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE
POSSIBLE THRU THE WEEK...THOUGH MAIN STORY WILL BE THE DRYING AND
WARMING TREND EXPECTED. THIS WILL RESULT IN RH VALUED CONTINUING TO
DROP BELOW VALUES SEEN OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. WINDS WILL ALSO
INCREASE SLIGHTLY LATE IN THE WEEK AS THE UPPER LEVEL HIGH
REPOSITIONS OVER NRN AZ.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE.

WEATHER.GOV/TUCSON

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 5, 10:58 AM MST, 7 hours 17 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
1058 AM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

AZZ502>515-060400-
TOHONO O'ODHAM NATION-UPPER SANTA CRUZ RIVER VALLEY/ALTAR VALLEY-
TUCSON METRO AREA-SOUTH CENTRAL PINAL COUNTY-
SOUTHEAST PINAL COUNTY-UPPER SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY-
EASTERN COCHISE COUNTY BELOW 5000 FEET-UPPER GILA RIVER VALLEY-
WHITE MOUNTAINS OF GRAHAM AND GREENLEE COUNTIES-
GALIURO AND PINALENO MOUNTAINS-CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS-
DRAGOON AND MULE AND HUACHUCA AND SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS-
CATALINA AND RINCON MOUNTAINS-BABOQUIVARI MOUNTAINS-
1058 AM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
ARIZONA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

EXTENSIVE CLOUDINESS ALONG A FEW LIGHT SHOWERS OR SPRINKLES LAST
NIGHT AND EARLY THIS MORNING WILL GIVE WAY TO SCATTERED SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS LATER TODAY. THESE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CAN
BE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON IN THE MOUNTAINS AND ACROSS
SANTA CRUZ AND COCHISE COUNTIES. A WEATHER DISTURBANCE IN NORTHERN
MEXICO WILL HELP ORGANIZE THUNDERSTORMS LATER THIS EVENING IN
MEXICO AND SOUTHERN ARIZONA. A FEW LINGERING SHOWERS CAN BE
ANTICIPATED OVERNIGHT TONIGHT. SOME OF THE STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS
WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY
RAINFALL...MAINLY LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

THE SAME WEATHER DISTURBANCE AFFECTING THE AREA SUNDAY AND SUNDAY
NIGHT WILL BRING MORE THUNDERSTORMS ON MONDAY.THEREAFTER...
SLIGHTLY DRIER AIR WILL SPREAD INTO SOUTHERN ARIZONA RESULTING IN
WARMER TEMPERATURES AND A DECREASE IN DAILY THUNDERSTORMS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

AZZ501-060400-
WESTERN PIMA COUNTY-
1058 AM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
ARIZONA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO WEATHER HAZARDS ARE EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

NO WEATHER HAZARDS ARE EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WEATHER.GOV/TUCSON

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 5, 4:18 PM MST, 1 hour 57 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
418 PM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

AZZ510-052345-
WHITE MOUNTAINS OF GRAHAM AND GREENLEE COUNTIES INCLUDING HANNAGAN
MEADOW AZ-
418 PM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN GREENLEE COUNTY
UNTIL 445 PM MST...

AT 408 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR BLUE...WHICH IS 13 MILES EAST OF HANNAGAN
MEADOW...MOVING NORTH AT 5 MPH.

HAIL UP TO ONE-HALF INCH IN DIAMETER AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT
DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

AREAS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE...MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF
NORTHEASTERN GREENLEE COUNTY.

LAT...LON 3374 10917 3374 10906 3355 10905 3356 10918
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 186DEG 5KT 3363 10910

Special weather statement, Aug 5, 5:21 PM MST, 54 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
521 PM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

AZZ504-507-513-514-060100-
DRAGOON/MULE/HUACHUCA AND SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS INCLUDING
BISBEE/CANELO HILLS/MADERA CANYON AZ-SANTA CATALINA AND RINCON
MOUNTAINS INCLUDING MOUNT LEMMON/SUMMERHAVEN AZ-TUCSON METRO AREA
INCLUDING TUCSON/GREEN VALLEY/MARANA/VAIL AZ-UPPER SAN PEDRO RIVER
VALLEY INCLUDING SIERRA VISTA/BENSON AZ-
521 PM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN PIMA COUNTY UNTIL 600 PM
MST...

AT 513 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 12 MILES EAST OF SAHUARITA...OR 17 MILES
NORTHEAST OF GREEN VALLEY...MOVING NORTHWEST AT 20 MPH.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN.

AREAS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE...SAHUARITA...SAGUARO NATIONAL
PARK EAST AND RITA RANCH.

IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...TAKE SHELTER IN A
STURDY BUILDING.

LAT...LON 3189 11100 3221 11083 3214 11045 3180 11055
TIME...MOT...LOC 0021Z 117DEG 17KT 3198 11079

GL

Special weather statement, Aug 5, 5:55 PM MST, 20 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
555 PM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

AZZ503-504-507-513-514-060145-
DRAGOON/MULE/HUACHUCA AND SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS INCLUDING
BISBEE/CANELO HILLS/MADERA CANYON AZ-SANTA CATALINA AND RINCON
MOUNTAINS INCLUDING MOUNT LEMMON/SUMMERHAVEN AZ-TUCSON METRO AREA
INCLUDING TUCSON/GREEN VALLEY/MARANA/VAIL AZ-UPPER SAN PEDRO RIVER
VALLEY INCLUDING SIERRA VISTA/BENSON AZ-UPPER SANTA CRUZ RIVER AND
ALTAR VALLEYS INCLUDING NOGALES AZ-
555 PM MST SUN AUG 5 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN PIMA COUNTY UNTIL 645 PM
MST...

AT 546 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 14 MILES SOUTHEAST OF TUCSON...MOVING WEST AT 10
MPH.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN.

AREAS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE...GREEN VALLEY...TUCSON...ORO
VALLEY...SAHUARITA...RITA RANCH...SEVEN FALLS...DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR
FORCE BASE...SABINO CANYON...TUCSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...SOUTH
TUCSON...SAN XAVIER MISSION AND CATALINA FOOTHILLS.

THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND
TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS...FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

LAT...LON 3178 11117 3244 11102 3237 11047 3174 11067
TIME...MOT...LOC 0055Z 110DEG 9KT 3213 11076

GL

The radar

The Tucson radar (KEMX), 37 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:16 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pima

When: August 5, 6:15 PM MST to 6:45 PM MST
Where: Pima County, 2.14 mi W of Littletown to 2.95 mi NNW of Tucson
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $80,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.136, -110.906

Thunderstorm winds knocked down 15 power poles along Alvernon Way between Valencia Road and Benson Highway. As storms moved northwest, a church roof was damaged near 36th and Country Club, numerous trees were downed or uprooted in central and east Tucson and a carport was destroyed on the east side of the city. Another power pole was downed near 5th and Country Club while three others were downed near Prince and Campbell. About 12,000 residents lost power as a result.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pima

When: August 5, 7:00 PM MST to 7:05 PM MST
Where: Pima County, 0.91 mi WNW of Continental to 1.29 mi WNW of Continental
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 31.854, -110.995

Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree and damaged a pool canopy at the Green Valley Recreation Club.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pima

When: August 5, 7:18 PM MST to 7:25 PM MST
Where: Pima County, 5.94 mi ENE of Oro Vly to 6.78 mi NE of Oro Vly
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 32.467, -110.895

Thunderstorm winds downed a tree in Catalina.

Lightning, Pima

When: August 5, 7:30 PM MST
Where: Pima County, 4.08 mi E of Rillito
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.423, -111.080

Lightning struck a palm tree near Tangerine and Twin Peaks Road causing it to ignite.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arizona in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history Warnings in Arizona, August 2012

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 407811, 407813, 407812, 407814.