A strong trough of low pressure off the California Coast moved toward Arizona and brought locally high winds.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 FGZ wrote it up.
A strong trough of low pressure off the California Coast moved toward Arizona and brought locally high winds.
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 Flagstaff, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 6, 9:32 AM MST, 3 hours 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 932 AM MST Sat May 6 2017 .SYNOPSIS...Expect strong southerly winds today as a Pacific storm system approaches Arizona. This system will deliver unsettled weather with much cooler temperatures and a chance of showers from Sunday through Wednesday as it slowly moves across the desert southwest. && .DISCUSSION...A windy day ahead across northern Arizona as a Pacific low pressure system approaches. We made a few minor changes to the cloud and chance for precipitation forecast grids based on morning trends. Otherwise, current forecast package in good shape. For today, very windy conditions will develop across central and western Arizona. This due to a trough of low pressure now along the west coast that will evolve into a closed low by tonight. This evolution will bring deep southerly flow to northern Arizona. A Wind Advisory remains in effect most of northern Arizona for this afternoon and evening, with southerly winds sustained at 20-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph. The fastest speeds should be across Coconino county. Areas of blowing dust are possible across northeast Arizona. Kept the slight chance of light showers and thunderstorms going along the New Mexico border this afternoon. Breezy south winds to persist overnight. From Sunday through Wednesday...Models continue to move the low center from Baja California very slowly eastward across Arizona during this period. Gusty south-southwest winds to return to Navajo and Apache counties on Sunday, though gusts should be under 40 mph. The main message continues to be high temperatures from 10 to 20 degrees below normal. There will be just enough moisture, that with daytime heating, there will be a chance of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms each day. Tuesday still looking like the best day for widespread showers as the cold pool to be overhead then. Conditions will be cold enough for snow or graupel showers down to 6500-7000 feet. Any accumulation is expected to be light. From Thursday onward...The low moves east of Arizona with daytime temperatures turning warmer and the usual gusty southwest winds each afternoon. && .AVIATION...For the 18Z package...Predominantly VFR conditions expected through the 24 hr forecast period. The biggest weather concern to aviation today will be strong southerly winds. SW-S winds will increase to 20-30 kts with gusts to 40 kts is most areas. Isolated -TSRA possible this afternoon east of a K0V7-KSOW line. The chance for showers develops from KFLG southwest by Sun morning. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...High pressure will exit the area today causing strong southerly winds to combine with warm dry conditions. These southerly winds will become strong and gusty for portions of the district Saturday leading to critical fire weather conditions across Yavapai County and lower elevation portions of Coconino, Navajo, and Apache Counties. Isolated dry thunderstorms are possible over portions of northern Arizona through the weekend. Monday through Wednesday...Much cooler temperatures and increasing chances for showers will develop as low pressure approaches and moves across Arizona. Wind speeds will lower but conditions will remain breezy. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MST this evening FOR AZZ105>109- 112>114-137-138-140. Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM MST this evening FOR AZZ009-012-013-016-039-040. Wind Advisory until 7 PM MST this evening FOR AZZ004>008-015. && PUBLIC...McCollum/DL AVIATION...MCT/Suk For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 315 AM MST Sat May 6 2017 AZZ004>018-037>040-070400- Kaibab Plateau-Marble and Glen Canyons-Grand Canyon Country- Coconino Plateau-Yavapai County Mountains- Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward-Chinle Valley- Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau- Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County- Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County- Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County- Western Mogollon Rim-Eastern Mogollon Rim-White Mountains- Northern Gila County-Yavapai County Valleys and Basins- Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons-Black Mesa Area- Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264- 315 AM MST Sat May 6 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for Apache...Coconino... Northern Gila...Navajo...and Yavapai Counties in Northern Arizona. .DAY ONE...Today Strong southerly winds will affect much of northern Arizona on Saturday, with gusts to 50 mph possible. Thus a Wind Advisory is in effect, see PHXNPWFGZ for details. Driving may be difficult for high-profile vehicles due to the wind and areas of blowing dust. A Red Flag Warning is also in effect for portions of northern Arizona today, see PHXRFWFGZ for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Gusty winds will persist Sunday across eastern Arizona. Expect cooling temperatures and an increasing chance of precipitation into early next week. Some lightning may occur with the precipitation, especially during the daytime. High elevation snow showers are possible on Monday and Tuesday, which may locally lower visibility and produce light accumulations. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A weather spotter eight miles southwest of Concho reported a peak wind gust of 58 MPH.
The Window Rock Automated Surface Observation System measured a peak wind gust of 58 MPH at 100 PM MST.
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, May 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: 691165, 691163.