Arizona, 2018Drought in Arizona, April 1 to 30, 2018
April 1 to 30, 2018 · NWS TWC · 8 events in 8 counties and zones
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued across the same sections of southeast Arizona from late March throughout April as virtually no rain fell during the month.
Every event with a place to put it; 8 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 8
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.
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued across the same sections of southeast Arizona from late March throughout April as virtually no rain fell during the month.
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 Mar 31, 9:15 PM MST, 2 hours 45 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 9:15 PM MST, 2 hours 45 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
915 PM MST Sat Mar 31 2018
.SYNOPSIS...A weak disturbance will pass through the region bringing
gusty winds on Monday, followed by slightly cooler temperatures on
Tuesday. Otherwise, dry conditions with unseasonably warm daytime
temperatures can be anticipated through next week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...An upper trough off the west coast was spreading
plenty of high level moisture up across the area with fairly dense
cirrus clouds at this time. This moisture will thin out during the
day Sunday with a bit of a SW breeze developing in the afternoon and
high temperatures topping out very close to where they did Saturday
afternoon.
The upper trough will move across the area late Monday resulting in
a bit more of a breeze Monday afternoon and high temperatures a
degree or two cooler. Beyond that, the next possible system
(looking dry but breezy) will not affect the area until next
weekend. Until then, above normal daytime temperatures will be the
rule.
&&
.AVIATION...Valid through 02/00Z.
BKN clouds above 20kt ft AGL through the period. Light winds through
the night becoming SWLY 10-18 kts after 01/17Z. Aviation discussion
not updated for TAF amendments.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...Dry and unseasonably warm weather persists
throughout the forecast period. Light 20-ft winds gradually
strengthen on Sunday, becoming 15-20 mph Monday afternoon with a few
gusts around 25 mph. Less wind will occur thereafter through the end
of the work week.
&&
.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None.
&&
Cerniglia
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Drought, Tohono O Odham Nation
- When
- April 1, 12:00 AM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Tohono O Odham Nation forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued throughout April in two areas of southeast Arizona. One area encompassed southeast Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and far southwest Cochise County including portions of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Baboquivari, Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains. The second area included the White Mountains in northern Graham and Greenlee Counties and the San Carlos Apache Tribe lands of northwestern Graham County. Little if any rain fell in the extreme drought area during April. Overall soil moisture readings generally remained ranked below the 20th percentile, with some areas below the 5th percentile. Wildfire activity picked up during April with at least five notable human caused wildfires occurring in or near the Extreme Drought area. Levels in the San Carlos Reservoir continued to fall during April, and dropped to less than 4 percent of capacity by the end of the month.
Drought, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys
- When
- April 1, 12:00 AM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 31.812, -111.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued throughout April in two areas of southeast Arizona. One area encompassed southeast Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and far southwest Cochise County including portions of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Baboquivari, Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains. The second area included the White Mountains in northern Graham and Greenlee Counties and the San Carlos Apache Tribe lands of northwestern Graham County. Little if any rain fell in the extreme drought area during April. Overall soil moisture readings generally remained ranked below the 20th percentile, with some areas below the 5th percentile. Wildfire activity picked up during April with at least five notable human caused wildfires occurring in or near the Extreme Drought area. Levels in the San Carlos Reservoir continued to fall during April, and dropped to less than 4 percent of capacity by the end of the month.
Drought, Tucson Metro Area
- When
- April 1, 12:00 AM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued throughout April in two areas of southeast Arizona. One area encompassed southeast Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and far southwest Cochise County including portions of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Baboquivari, Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains. The second area included the White Mountains in northern Graham and Greenlee Counties and the San Carlos Apache Tribe lands of northwestern Graham County. Little if any rain fell in the extreme drought area during April. Overall soil moisture readings generally remained ranked below the 20th percentile, with some areas below the 5th percentile. Wildfire activity picked up during April with at least five notable human caused wildfires occurring in or near the Extreme Drought area. Levels in the San Carlos Reservoir continued to fall during April, and dropped to less than 4 percent of capacity by the end of the month.
Drought, Upper San Pedro River Valley
- When
- April 1, 12:00 AM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Upper San Pedro River Valley forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 32.109, -110.569 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued throughout April in two areas of southeast Arizona. One area encompassed southeast Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and far southwest Cochise County including portions of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Baboquivari, Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains. The second area included the White Mountains in northern Graham and Greenlee Counties and the San Carlos Apache Tribe lands of northwestern Graham County. Little if any rain fell in the extreme drought area during April. Overall soil moisture readings generally remained ranked below the 20th percentile, with some areas below the 5th percentile. Wildfire activity picked up during April with at least five notable human caused wildfires occurring in or near the Extreme Drought area. Levels in the San Carlos Reservoir continued to fall during April, and dropped to less than 4 percent of capacity by the end of the month.
Drought, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys
- When
- April 1, 12:00 AM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 33.074, -109.563 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued throughout April in two areas of southeast Arizona. One area encompassed southeast Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and far southwest Cochise County including portions of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Baboquivari, Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains. The second area included the White Mountains in northern Graham and Greenlee Counties and the San Carlos Apache Tribe lands of northwestern Graham County. Little if any rain fell in the extreme drought area during April. Overall soil moisture readings generally remained ranked below the 20th percentile, with some areas below the 5th percentile. Wildfire activity picked up during April with at least five notable human caused wildfires occurring in or near the Extreme Drought area. Levels in the San Carlos Reservoir continued to fall during April, and dropped to less than 4 percent of capacity by the end of the month.
Drought, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties
- When
- April 1, 12:00 AM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 33.074, -109.563 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued throughout April in two areas of southeast Arizona. One area encompassed southeast Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and far southwest Cochise County including portions of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Baboquivari, Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains. The second area included the White Mountains in northern Graham and Greenlee Counties and the San Carlos Apache Tribe lands of northwestern Graham County. Little if any rain fell in the extreme drought area during April. Overall soil moisture readings generally remained ranked below the 20th percentile, with some areas below the 5th percentile. Wildfire activity picked up during April with at least five notable human caused wildland fires occurring in or near the Extreme Drought area. Levels in the San Carlos Reservoir continued to fall during April, and dropped to less than 4 percent of capacity by the end of the month.
Drought, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains
- When
- April 1, 12:00 AM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 31.834, -110.796 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued throughout April in two areas of southeast Arizona. One area encompassed southeast Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and far southwest Cochise County including portions of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Baboquivari, Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains. The second area included the White Mountains in northern Graham and Greenlee Counties and the San Carlos Apache Tribe lands of northwestern Graham County. Little if any rain fell in the extreme drought area during April. Overall soil moisture readings generally remained ranked below the 20th percentile, with some areas below the 5th percentile. Wildfire activity picked up during April with at least five notable human caused wildfires occurring in or near the Extreme Drought area. Levels in the San Carlos Reservoir continued to fall during April, and dropped to less than 4 percent of capacity by the end of the month.
Drought, Baboquivari Mountains
- When
- April 1, 12:00 AM MST to April 30, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Baboquivari Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Extreme drought (D3 category), which began in January, continued throughout April in two areas of southeast Arizona. One area encompassed southeast Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and far southwest Cochise County including portions of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Baboquivari, Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains. The second area included the White Mountains in northern Graham and Greenlee Counties and the San Carlos Apache Tribe lands of northwestern Graham County. Little if any rain fell in the extreme drought area during April. Overall soil moisture readings generally remained ranked below the 20th percentile, with some areas below the 5th percentile. Wildfire activity picked up during April with at least five notable human caused wildfires occurring in or near the Extreme Drought area. Levels in the San Carlos Reservoir continued to fall during April, and dropped to less than 4 percent of capacity by the end of the month.
- Drought
- A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Nebraska, April 1, 20181 death · 1 injured · 15 events
- High Wind in Vermont, April 1, 2018$275,000 · 63 kt wind · 4 events
- Flood in Iowa, April 1 to 9, 2018$200,000 · 1 event
- Drought in New Mexico, April 1 to 30, 201839 events
- Flooding in Indiana, April 1 to 18, 2018$40,000 · 2 events
- Flooding in Indiana, April 1 to 16, 2018$35,000 · 2 events
- Drought in Oklahoma, April 1 to 30, 201826 events
- Flooding in Illinois, April 1 to 18, 2018$30,000 · 2 events
- Drought in Texas, April 1 to 30, 201824 events
- Winter Weather in Ohio, April 1 to 2, 201823 events
- Flooding in Illinois, April 1 to 30, 2018$22,000 · 6 events
- Drought in Kansas, April 1 to 30, 201821 events
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: 753059, 753381, 753382, 753383, 753384, 753385, 753386, 753387.