A large area of low pressure moving south off the West Coast and a short wave rotating around this low brought strong southwest to parts of northern Arizona.
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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 large area of low pressure moving south off the West Coast and a short wave rotating around this low brought strong southwest to parts of northern Arizona.
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 Mar 9, 9:48 AM MST, 4 hours 27 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 948 AM MST Tue Mar 9 2021 .SYNOPSIS...Most areas of northern Arizona will see strong southwest winds with gusts above 40 mph along and north of the Mogollon Rim today. On Wednesday, an approaching low will bring increasing chances for light rain and snow, along with noticeably cooler temperatures. Cold and wet weather may continue through the remainder of the week. && .DISCUSSION...The main story for today will be strong southwest winds due to the passage of a shortwave trough. Breezy winds this morning will increase over the next couple of hours, with afternoon wind gusts forecast to be between 40 to 50 mph for most areas along and north of the Mogollon Rim. As a result, a wind advisory is in effect today from 11 AM to 6 PM MST. Winds this strong could blow around unsecured objects, and can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. In addition, dust could impact portions of Interstate 40 between Winslow and Holbrook, as well as the more dust prone areas of the Chinle Valley in northeast Arizona. Winds will decrease overnight, but narrow bands of strong downslope winds will likely continue to the northeast of higher terrain overnight, including Doney Park east of Flagstaff and the Eager/Springerville area near the White Mountains. Aside from that, some mid level moisture has brought very light snowfall to portions of the eastern Mogollon Rim this morning. This mid level moisture plume will move eastward through the morning hours, likely causing some snowfall in the White Mountains later this morning and afternoon. In terms of forecast updates, some adjustments were made to increase wind speeds for this afternoon as well as to add a mention of blowing dust in the aforementioned dust prone areas above. && .PREV DISCUSSION /302 AM MST/...The chances for light rain and snow will increase on Wednesday as the West Coast low drops southward along the California Coast. Cold air associated with this approaching low will cause a noticeable drop in temperatures, with daytime highs between 5 to 10 degrees below normal at most places. Snow is expected to be light, with snow levels Wednesday afternoon forecast to be between 4500-5000 feet. The slow moving low area of low pressure will cross the state from Thursday through Saturday bringing chances for at least light snow accumulations each day. Most areas across northern Arizona will not make it into the 50s on Friday...with some locations above 6500 feet not even breaking the freezing mark! Stay tuned to the forecast as details concerning this mid to late week winter weather system emerge. && .AVIATION...For the 18Z package...Expect mainly VFR conditions for the 24 hour TAF period. The exception will be from KSOW SE where occasional MVFR will be possible in -SHSN through 20Z. Isold MVFR also possible from KINW-KRQE-KSJN due to BLDU aft 18Z. Sfc winds SW15-30g35-45kts from 18Z-02Z. Winds decrease substantially after 02Z-03Z Wednesday, but will remain gusty lee of higher terrain features. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...Scattered snow showers over the eastern Mogollon Rim and White Mountains will end early this afternoon. Expect strong southwest winds and cooler temperatures today as a cold front approaches the region. Localized Critical Fire Weather conditions may develop at lower elevations this afternoon. Gusty southwest winds and further cooling will develop Wednesday, with a chance for rain and snow showers later in the day. Thursday through Saturday...A chance of rain and snow will be present each day, along with much colder temperatures. Gusty southwest winds continue on Thursday, become lighter by Friday, and shift to westerly on Saturday. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...Wind Advisory until 6 PM MST this evening FOR AZZ004-006-007- 011>017-039-040. && PUBLIC...RR/MAS AVIATION...Peterson FIRE WEATHER...NL For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Springerville Airport reported sustained wind speeds of 40 MPH or higher between 215 PM and 455 PM. The peak wind gust of 59 MPH was recorded at 315 PM MST.
The ADOT wind sensor at 14 Mile Hill on Highway 377 reported a peak wind gust of 58 MPH at 433 PM MST.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arizona in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, March 2021
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: 950589, 950591.