Arizona, 2021Drought in Arizona, January 1 to 31, 2021
January 1 to 31, 2021 · NWS TWC · 14 events in 14 counties and zones
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. 5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains.
Every event with a place to put it; 14 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
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 14
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 exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
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 Dec 31, 2:35 PM MST, 9 hours 25 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Dec 31, 2:35 PM MST, 9 hours 25 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
235 PM MST Thu Dec 31 2020
.SYNOPSIS...Cool mornings will continue, with afternoon high
temperatures climbing back to near seasonal averages by Sunday. A
few sprinkles are possible with a weak weather system tonight and
again Tuesday, otherwise dry conditions across the area.
&&
.DISCUSSION...A reinforcing shot of cold air will drop down from
the north today and tonight as another system digs through us into
northwest Mexico. It may tap into some moisture down there, but
it won't bring much with it for our area. Just some virga, maybe
sprinkles.
Heights and thicknesses rebound enough over the weekend for
daytime highs to climb back to near or a little above average.
However, morning lows will continue to be seasonably cold with a
widespread hard freeze in colder eastern valley locations and and
approaching freezing in outlying areas around Tucson Metro.
Ensembles paint a picture of a broad mean ridge position across
much of the west next week, with systems brushing by just north of
our area even as we maintain heights that generally will keep our
temperatures several degrees above average.
&&
.AVIATION...Valid through 02/00Z.
Expect continued BKN high clouds this evening, lowering to 10k-15k
ft MSL between roughly 06z-18z Friday, with partial clearing by
Friday afternoon. Surface winds will be west to northwest early this
afternoon quickly becoming southeast this evening and tonight. Winds
become northwest again Friday afternoon, with all wind speeds below
10 kts. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...Colder temperatures will continue into the weekend
with a slight warmup early next week. Expect dry conditions into
early next week then a slight chance for precip in the White
Mountains Tuesday. Wind speeds remain light following normal diurnal
trends.
&&
.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&
Meyer/Dang
Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
Drought, Tohono O Odham Nation
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 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)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 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)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Tucson Metro Area
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 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)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, South Central Pinal County
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- South Central Pinal County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 32.904, -111.345 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Southeast Pinal County
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Southeast Pinal County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 32.904, -111.345 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Upper San Pedro River Valley
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 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)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 31.880, -109.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 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)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 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)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 32.572, -110.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Chiricahua Mountains
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Chiricahua Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 31.880, -109.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 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)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
Drought, Baboquivari Mountains
- When
- January 1, 12:00 AM MST to January 31, 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)
The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during January, with the exception of western Pima County. Precipitation totals for the month totaled 0.5 to 1.5 inches, with higher amounts in the form of snow on the highest mountains. These totals were 25 to 125 percent of normal, but even where substantial precipitation occurred, were not enough to improve the drought status. Soil moisture readings improved slightly, but were still below the 5th percentile ranking across Santa Cruz and eastern sections of Pima and Pinal counties and below the 10th percentile ranking elsewhere. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained around 2 percent of storage capacity.
- 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.
- Rip Current in Florida, January 1, 20211 death · 1 event
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Missouri, January 1, 2021$545,000 · 29 events
- Tornadoes and Damaging Wind in Georgia, January 1, 2021$203,000 · EF1 · 5 events
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Kansas, January 1, 2021$120,000 · 12 events
- Drought in New Mexico, January 1 to 31, 202141 events
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Kansas, January 1, 2021$50,000 · 3 events
- Winter Weather in Indiana, January 1 to 2, 202124 events
- Winter Storm in Missouri, January 1, 202122 events
- Ice Storm and Winter Weather in Illinois, January 1, 202122 events
- Drought in Colorado, January 1 to 31, 202121 events
- Drought in Nebraska, January 1 to 31, 202120 events
- Drought in Texas, January 1 to 31, 202119 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: 932135, 932136, 932137, 932138, 932139, 932140, 932141, 932142, 932143, 932144, 932145, 932146, 932147, 932148.