Scattered thunderstorms developed and moved west across southeast Arizona. These storms were slow-moving and lasted into the overnight hours.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS TWC wrote it up.
Scattered thunderstorms developed and moved west across southeast Arizona. These storms were slow-moving and lasted into the overnight hours. Several trees were uprooted in Tucson, and numerous swift water rescues were conducted in the evening as washes flowed across roads creating flash flooding in Graham and Cochise Counties.
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 Jul 28, 1:47 PM MST, 1 hour 40 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 147 PM MST Fri Jul 28 2017 .SYNOPSIS...Daily rounds of thunderstorms will continue through at least this weekend with locally heavy rain and strong winds with some storms. High temperatures will generally be a few degrees below normal due to increased storm coverage. && .DISCUSSION...Thunderstorms developing over mountains this afternoon. Movement is WNW but is a little slower than Thursday. Slower movement and a bit more moisture in this morning's sounding (1.66 inches) will allow for heavy rain from individual storms with rates 1 to 2 inches per hour easily attainable. Satellite/models shows a number of upstream disturbances available to act on moisture as they move across SE AZ through this weekend. Of immediate concern is one that has already sparked a large area of thunderstorms in NE Sonora/NW Chihuahua that is moving northeast toward SE AZ. Expect this area to help keep showers and thunderstorms going well into the evening, if not overnight. As mentioned, additional rounds of thunderstorms are expected through the weekend. While ample moisture should remain in place next week, the upper level high is forecast to recenter farther west which may warm temperatures aloft enough to limit thunderstorm coverage. At that time, high temperatures could return to near normal, after being below normal through this weekend. && .AVIATION...Valid thru 30/00Z. Sct to Num TSRA continuing thru 29/06z. Cloud decks generally 5k- 10k ft AGL with MVFR cigs/vsbys in TSRA. Isold/Sct SHRA/TSRA overnight into Sat morning then another round of TSRA developing Saturday afternoon. SFC wind variable in direction mainly less than 12 kts, except in the vicinity of TSRA where gusts may exceed 40 kts. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER... Daily shower and thunderstorm chances will continue into next week across most of southeast Arizona. Daytime temperatures will generally be at or below normal. Elevated humidities will remain in place through the weekend into next week with excellent overnight recoveries. Outside of thunderstorm winds, expect 20-foot winds to remain at or below 15 mph and follow typical upslope/down valley diurnal patterns. Fire weather concerns are low through at least late next week. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && Drozd Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
218 PM MST FRI JUL 28 2017
AZZ503-504-282200-
Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales-Tucson
Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail-
218 PM MST FRI JUL 28 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN PIMA AND
NORTHWESTERN SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM MST...
At 216 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a group of strong
thunderstorms just west of Tubac and Amado. The storms are showing
very little movement.
Heavy rain and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Tumacacori-Carmen, Tubac, Rio Rico Northwest, Arivaca Lake,
Tumacacori and Amado.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3184 11112 3167 11106 3151 11103 3153 11131
3183 11132
TIME...MOT...LOC 2116Z 101DEG 7KT 3167 11116
CernigliaSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Tucson AZ 255 PM MST FRI JUL 28 2017 AZZ504-514-282230- Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains including Mount Lemmon/Summerhaven-Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail- 255 PM MST FRI JUL 28 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR UNTIL 330 PM MST... At 255 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Tanque Verde, or 9 miles east of Tucson. this storm was nearly stationary. Winds in excess of 45 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Tucson, Tanque Verde and Catalina Foothills. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3232 11067 3217 11067 3222 11089 3233 11090 TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 077DEG 4KT 3226 11078 GL
The Tucson radar (KEMX), 38 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:27 UTC.
3 flash flood, 2 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree near Broadway Boulevard and Houghton Road.
Thunderstorm winds uprooted a tree on Ajo Road near Kino Stadium.
Heavy rain caused flash flooding in Tucson. One car became submerged in flowing water a foot deep near Country Club and Bantam roads.
Flash flooding caused a vehicle to be swept away on Cascabel Road. Driver was swept three-quarters of a mile downstream to the San Pedro River resulting in the need to be rescued.
Heavy rain over the Fry Fire burn scar and south of Safford caused Marijilda and Swift Canyons to overflow their banks. A vehicle was swept off of W Concho Street, trapping the driver until rescuers arrived. A second vehicle was completely submerged on Stockton Road. Three teenagers were able to escape from the vehicle.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arizona in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, July 2017
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: 714514, 714515, 717068, 717153, 714524, 714528.