Arizona, 2021

Drought in Arizona, June 1 to 30, 2021

June 1 to 30, 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 June, with the exception of western Pima County. 5 or less for the month, which is close to normal.

Where it happened

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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS TWC wrote it up.

The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy 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 May 31, 2:23 PM MST, 9 hours 37 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 31, 2:23 PM MST, 9 hours 37 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
223 PM MST Mon May 31 2021

.SYNOPSIS...Expect seasonable temperatures to start June. An
increasing chance of mainly afternoon showers and thunderstorms
through most of the week. The best chance of showers and
thunderstorms will be in the mountain ranges east and south of
Tucson.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Already seeing signs of an increase in moisture and
mid-level instability across parts of Arizona today. Recent regional
radar and satellite imagery were depicting some cloud buildups and
showers stretching along the Mogollon Rim to the White Mountains and
Sky Islands in the southeast part of the state. Even a few lightning
strikes were detected southeast of Flagstaff early this afternoon.
That said, there will be a growing concern for the dry lightning
potential the next several days which may trigger more wildfires.
This potential for a dry lightning trigger combined with a
transition to a drier and breezier pattern in the 8 to 10 day time
frame could also result in a more impactful weather scenario.

Ensemble solutions still favored the evolution of a cutoff upper low
over the Baja Peninsula. This upper low will likely tap more
moisture to support daily afternoon and evening showers and
thunderstorms across the area for much of the work week. The best
chances will be in the mountains generally east and south of Tucson
with light rainfall amounts expected. The days 8 to 10 global
ensemble cluster analysis favored a trough of low pressure deepening
over the western United states which would suggest a period of
elevated wind speeds next week.

&&

.AVIATION...Valid through 02/00Z.
Isolated -SHRA/-TSRA in the higher terrain of Graham/Greenlee
Counties this afternoon/evening and again Tuesday afternoon mainly
east of KTUS with SCT to occasionally BKN clouds 14-18k ft MSL thru
the forecast period. Surface winds this afternoon SWLY/WLY 8-12 kts
gusting to around 20 kts into early this evening, then decreasing to
light and variable overnight. Winds become WLY/NWLY around 10 kts
Tuesday afternoon. Higher winds gusts are also possible near -TSRA/-
SHRA. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...The remainder of this week will be defined by the
potential for afternoon/early evening thunderstorm activity.
Isolated showers with a slight chance of a thunderstorm remain
possible this afternoon for the Sky Islands east of Tucson. The
threat will expand Tuesday as far west as the Tucson area,
continuing through Wednesday. By Thursday through Saturday,
thunderstorm chances will mostly be to the east of Tucson. Due to
dry conditions near the surface, these storms likely won't be
significant rain producers with dry lightning being a concern. Wind
speeds mostly remain less than 15 mph with some afternoon gustiness,
becoming more breezy over the weekend.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None.

&&

Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

14 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Tohono O Odham Nation

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 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)

The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 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)

The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Tucson Metro Area

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 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)

The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, South Central Pinal County

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 30, 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 June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Southeast Pinal County

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 30, 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 June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Upper San Pedro River Valley

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 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)

The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 30, 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 June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 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)

The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 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)

The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 30, 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 June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Chiricahua Mountains

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 30, 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 June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 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)

The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 30, 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 June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

Drought, Baboquivari Mountains

When
June 1, 12:00 AM MST to June 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)

The exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought categories continued across a large part of southeast Arizona during June, with the exception of western Pima County. Most areas only tallied 0.5 or less for the month, which is close to normal. A few locations received 1-1.5 of rain, but that was not enough to make up for record rainfall deficits over the past 12 to 15 months. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking across most of southeast Arizona except around the 10th percentile ranking in Greenlee and southeast Graham counties. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained near zero percent of capacity. Numerous human and lightning caused wild land fires occurred, five of which grew to more than 10,000 acres during the hot, dry and windy month.

What these are

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.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Arizona in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, June 2021

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: 969955, 969956, 969957, 969958, 969959, 969960, 969961, 969962, 969963, 969964, 969965, 969966, 969967, 969968.