8+ inches) resulted in an environment favorable for thunderstorms. An upper-level disturbance moving across Arizona, aided in increasing the areal coverage as well as enhancing the thunderstorm activity.
Every event with a place to put it; 6 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 PSR wrote it up.
In a classical monsoonal regime, with deep-layered east to southeast flow, high instability (MLCAPE in excess of 1000-1500 J/KG) along with abundant moisture (PWAT 1.8+ inches) resulted in an environment favorable for thunderstorms. An upper-level disturbance moving across Arizona, aided in increasing the areal coverage as well as enhancing the thunderstorm activity.
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 Phoenix, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 12, 5:41 AM MST, 3 hours 59 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 541 AM MST Fri Aug 12 2022 .UPDATE...Updated Aviation Discussion. && .SYNOPSIS... Today and through the weekend will bring increased chances for monsoon storms, particularly across higher terrain areas. Storm activity will tend to favor the afternoon and evening hours with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and localized flooding all possible. After near normal temperatures today, slightly cooler temperatures are expected over the weekend with increased cloud cover. Chances for showers and thunderstorms will persist into early next week, but likely to a lesser degree compared to over the weekend. && .DISCUSSION... After fairly isolated storms on Thursday, the atmosphere has recovered with higher instability now encompassing the majority of the area. Current objective analysis shows ample moisture across the entire region, but overall little convection ongoing early this morning. What current shower activity is there is mainly associated with two separate MCVs located just south of Pima County and another across far southeast Arizona, both of which are very slowly drifting to the west northwest. Assuming the MCV across southeast Arizona doesn't spawn much more shower or thunderstorm activity this morning, cloud cover to start out the day should be somewhat minimal aiding in good insolation and destabilization by this afternoon. Forecast soundings later today across the lower deserts still show measurable CIN, but expected insolation should be sufficient to get fairly widespread high terrain storms firing by mid afternoon. General consensus among hi-res models is for fairly widespread afternoon convection along the Rim through Gila County and some scattered activity over elevated terrain areas like the Kofa's and Table Top area. Low level mixing ratios will be fairly good at 10-12 g/kg, but not indicating excessive moisture to where DCAPEs are too low for decent storm outflow production. The CIN over lower elevation areas is likely to initially inhibit further development along weaker outflows, but any organized deeper outflows should be enough to erode the CIN for additional storm development. Unfortunately, the 00Z HREF members show very little agreement for lower desert storm development this evening with the HRRR favoring the Phoenix area, NSSL over southern Maricopa Co., and the ARW across the Lower Colorado River Valley. However, NBM PoPs across the area today are notably higher than yesterday with 20-30% across the western deserts, 35-45% in the Phoenix area, and 50-60% over the high terrain north and east of Phoenix. Models do not indicate any organized ascent areas from larger scale disturbances, but the current MCVs may persist long enough to enhance convection mainly south of Phoenix. Given the expected environmental parameters today, isolated strong winds, patchy blowing dust, heavy rainfall, and localized flooding will all be possible. Will hold off on any Flood Watches for now due to the lack of a good focusing mechanism for organized storms and HREF disagreement, but there very well could be a few storms that produce heavy rainfall amounts capable of producing localized flooding. For Saturday, models are showing a slight increase in overall instability, with some HREF members showing more widespread convection compared to today. As with today, there are no good indications of substantial larger scale disturbances, but there very well could be another MCV or two to provide localized enhanced ascent in addition to the typical terrain influences. If today ends up producing an organized MCS resulting in a worked over atmosphere, then Saturday should be less active for most areas. WPC's Excessive Rainfall Outlook for both today and Saturday has a fairly large slight risk area encompassing the majority of Arizona, so we may end up needing a Flood Watch at some point later today or on Saturday. Although forecast confidence drops a bit going into Sunday, there looks to be very little change in this potential active weather pattern as ample moisture will remain in place. Day to day monsoon storm chances are likely to persist into next week, but there is some ensemble support for some slight drying early next week which likely contributed to the decrease in NBM PoPs. Temperatures today will again be quite warm with highs near 105 degrees across a good portion of the lower deserts, resulting in localized Moderate HeatRisk. As monsoon storm activity likely ramps up into the weekend, daytime highs should drop a bit with NBM highs closer to 100-103 degrees. && .AVIATION...Updated 1240Z. South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT: Winds will favor diurnal tendencies through the rest of this morning and into the early afternoon hours, mostly below 10 kts. Shower/thunderstorm chances increase by late afternoon/early evening (~40-50%) across the metro. Have added VCSH/VCTS to the TAFs for later today. Any thunderstorms will be capable of gusty erratic winds along with lightning, blowing dust and locally heavy rainfall. Confidence in winds is low given the possibility for multiple outflows from various directions. For now, have added a NE outflow as this is currently the most favored solution. There is a 20-30% chance outflow winds will exceed 30 kts in the Valley. SCT- BKN clouds will mostly remain aoa 10 kft, dropping to around 8 kft with any convection. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: Winds will generally favor a SE to SW component at KIPL, while winds mostly favor the S at KBLH. There will be about a 20-30% chance for showers and thunderstorms this afternoon with the primary impacts with any thunderstorms being gusty erratic winds (30-40% chance >30 kts) along with blowing dust and lightning. SCT-BKN clouds will mostly remain aoa 10 kft but may briefly drop lower with any thunderstorms. && .FIRE WEATHER... Ample monsoonal moisture is expected to persist through at least the first half of next week keeping the fire danger threat low. This moist airmass will continue to yield elevated humidities with afternoon minimum RH values mostly in a 30-35% range, locally higher, and good overnight recovery. Chances for wetting rains will continue for most areas almost daily, especially through the weekend. Winds for the most part will remain light, with the exception of thunderstorm outflows generating stronger gusts. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && DISCUSSION...Kuhlman AVIATION...Smith FIRE WEATHER...Kuhlman
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
936 AM MST Fri Aug 12 2022
AZZ532-CAZ565-121715-
Yuma AZ-Imperial County Southeast CA-
936 AM MST Fri Aug 12 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Yuma
and southeastern Imperial Counties through 1015 AM MST/1015 AM
PDT/...
At 935 AM MST/935 AM PDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm over Yuma, moving northwest at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Yuma, Winterhaven, Araby, Algodones Dunes and Andrade.
This includes the following highways...
AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 1 and 8.
AZ Route 95 between mile markers 29 and 30.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3264 11477 3272 11472 3271 11475 3270 11493
3272 11498 3295 11482 3273 11447 3258 11459
TIME...MOT...LOC 1635Z 120DEG 14KT 3270 11463
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
FeldkircherThe Yuma radar (KYUX), 17 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:38 UTC.
22 flash flood, 18 thunderstorm wind, 6 dust storm, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
East County 14th Street in Yuma was closed due to flooding. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Social media pictures showed some tree damage in the form of broken branches and a damaged shed near the vicinity of 1st street and 20th Avenue in Yuma. Timing estimated from radar. Winds were estimated at around 45 mph. No injuries were reported.
The intersection of 4th Ave and 22nd St around the Post Office in Yuma was closed due to flooding. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Several reports of thunderstorm damage across Quartzsite. The damages reported included several trailers/RVs flipped, signs blown around, trees blown over, heavy grills thrown 50 feet, storage sheds destroyed, leaning power poles. Timing estimated from radar. A wind gust of 65 mph was measured from a amateur radio user. No injuries were reported.
Tyson wash was reported to hit 12 feet deep with debris. No damages or injuries were reported.
SR-238 was closed entirely from Gila Bend to SR 347 due to flooding. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Visibility of less than 1/4 mile reported near Porter Road and Casa Grande Highway in Maricopa in blowing dust from thunderstorm outflow. No accidents or injuries were reported.
Visibility of 500 feet was reported near the area of West Battaglia Drive and South Sunland Gin Road in Arizona City in blowing dust from thunderstorm outflow. No accidents or injuries were reported.
Visibility of about 1/4 mile reported in the area of W Tortoise Drive and North Cordes Drive in Eloy in blowing dust from thunderstorm outflow. No accidents or injuries were reported.
Visibility of less than 500 feet reported near the area of I-10 and East Florence Boulevard in Casa Grande in blowing dust from thunderstorm outflow. No accidents or injuries were reported.
Multiple large downed trees, including one crashing through a cinderblock wall and another that fell toward a house along East 212th St and East Village Loop North in Queen Creek. Timing estimated from radar. Estimated wind gusts 55-60 mph. No injuries were reported.
Downed power lines were reported along Hawes Road between Elliot and Warner Roads. Wind speed estimated around 60 mph. Time estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.
Downed power lines reported just southeast of Granite Reef Dam. A photo taken along Power Road also showed at least 1 snapped and 3 toppled power poles. Time estimated from radar. Winds were estimated at 55-60 mph. No injuries were reported.
Downed power lines near SR-87 and McLellan Road in Mesa. Timing estimated from radar. Winds were estimated at 55-60 mph. No injuries were reported.
Multiple trees and tree branches were downed along McDowell Rd near North Miller Road, including a snapped palm tree. A restaurant sign was also blown over. Timing estimated from radar. Winds were estimated around 70 mph based on radar velocities in this area. No injuries were reported.
A large tree was blown down near the area of East Oak Street and North 87th Terrace in Scottsdale. Timing estimated from radar. Winds were estimated at 60-70 mph. No injuries were reported.
Social media pictures and video showed flooding along SR-87 near Shooting Range Road. Water appeared to be several inches deep, flowing over the highway. No damages or injuries were reported.
Videos showed washes overflowing in Fountain Hills, with water moving across Golden Eagle Park and then downstream over North El Pueblo Boulevard. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Flooding was reported on SR-87 Northbound near N Fort McDowell Rd (MP 191). No damages or injuries were reported.
A 66 mph gust was measured at Scottsdale Municipal Airport.
Quarter sized hail reported in Hayden Road and East Via de Ventura in Scottsdale. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Downed power poles reported in an area between East Cholla Street to East Redfield Road and East Thunderbird Road to East Sweetwater Avenue in Scottsdale. Timing estimated from radar. Winds were estimated at 65-70 mph. No injuries were reported.
Ping-pong sized hail reported along Loop 101 and East Cactus Road in Scottsdale. No damages or injuries were reported.
Metal power poles were blown over, trapping 18 vehicles, along North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Timing estimated from radar. Wind gusts were estimated between 65-70 mph. No injuries were reported.
Flooding reported along Loop-101 near East Cactus Road in Scottsdale. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Flooding was reported on the southbound lanes of SR-87 near Milepost 180. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Image from social media along Hackney Avenue in Globe showed a destroyed pickup truck lying along a box culvert, likely swept away by flood waters several feet deep along a wash running adjacent to the road. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.
Image showed RV trailer and boat flipped at Lake Pleasant. Timing estimated from radar. Wind gust was estimated at 55-60 mph. No injuries were reported.
Social media pictures showed a large saguaro toppled over and destroying a shed along the area of North 12th Street and East Northern Avenue in Phoenix. Timing estimated from radar. Wind gusts were estimated at 60-70 mph. No injuries were reported.
Picture shows Russell Rd near Utility St impassable due to flash flooding. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Flooding on roadway near the intersection of North Via Linda and East Via de Ventura in Scottsdale. No damages or injuries were reported.
At least 15 downed and/or snapped power poles along North 35th Avenue, near West Bell Road in Phoenix. Timing estimated from radar. Wind gust was estimated at 60-70 mph. No injuries were reported.
Social media video showed running flood waters, several inches in depth, in the intersection of North Tatum Road and East Doubletree Ranch Road. No damages or injuries were reported.
Downed power poles reported in the area of West Cactus Road and North 30th Avenue in Phoenix. Timing estimated from radar. Wind gust was estimated at 60-70 mph. No injuries were reported.
Flooding reported along the entrance ramp at Princess Drive onto the Loop 101 in Scottsdale. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.
Tree branch fell onto a car near the area of North 67th Avenue and West Bethany Home Road in Glendale. Wind gust was estimated at around 50 mph. No injuries were reported.
Video showed Cactus Park in Scottsdale flooded with multiple feet of standing water. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Downed powerlines along Harquahala Valley Rd near I-10. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.
Downed powerlines along Harquahala Valley Rd near I-10. Timing estimated from radar. No injuries were reported.
Flooding reported along US-60 near milepost 75. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Visibility of about 1/4 mile reported in Salome in blowing dust due to thunderstorm outflow. No accidents or injuries were reported.
Video showed Indian Bend Wash running multiple feet deep, resulting in a car nearly submerged by the running flood waters along McCormick Parkway in Scottsdale. The person inside the vehicle had to be rescued by the Fire Department. A Flood Control District of Maricopa County Gauge along the Indian Bend Wash at Shea Boulevard, located about 3 miles upstream of the incident showed peak flow of 2.92 feet (1875 cfs), which was above alarm stage, at 1640 MST. Additional flow of just over 1000 cfs was likely added to the wash from the Berneil Wash, located about 1 mile upstream of the incident. The gauge along the Indian Bend Wash at Shea Boulevard did not go below alarm stage until just after 2015 MST. No injuries were reported.
The Flood Control District of Maricopa County Gauge along Jackrabbit Wash just downstream of North Vulture Mine Road indicated water levels rising above the alarm stage of 2.9 feet at 1800 MST. The flow peaked at 5.70 feet (6000 cfs) at around 1910 MST. Impacted area included Wickenburg Road, located about 5 miles downstream of the gauge. No damages or injuries were reported.
Video showed a car submerged from the floodwaters of Indian Bend Wash along East Starlight Way and North Hayden Road. A Flood Control District of Maricopa County Gauge near the incident showed water levels above alarm stage at 1815 MST, peaking at 4 feet (3397 cfs) at 1924 MST, and dropping below alarm stage at around 2145 MST. No injuries were reported.
Video images from social media showed raging flood waters occurring near Salome Highway just east of US-60. Timing estimated from radar. In addition, the Flood Control District of Maricopa County Gauge located along Centennial Wash in Wenden showed water levels rising above alarm stage at around 1950 MST, peaking at 3.37 feet (1323 cfs) at around 2034 MST and not going below alarm stage until around 2330 MST. The impacted areas from Centennial Wash include Salome Road, which is located about 4.8 miles downstream of the gauge location in Wenden. No damages or injuries were reported.
Multiple road closures due to flooding were reported in Aguila from the Flood Control District of Maricopa County. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.
Broadcast video showed a lady stuck at a skate park located along the Indian Bend Wash near McDowell Road in Scottsdale. Rescuers unable to get to her for a couple of hours at least due to the flood waters of several feet along the wash. An aerial rescue was performed around 2215 MST. Just 2 miles upstream along the wash near Indian School Road, a Flood County District of Maricopa County gauge reported water levels going above alarm stage after 1830 MST, rising to a record stage of 5.76 feet (3929 cfs) at around 1907 MST. The water level did not go below flood stage until several hours after, at 230 MST on the 13th. No damages or injuries were reported.
Video showed visibility of less than 1/4 mile in the area of North Beeline Highway and Thomas Road in the Salt River Reservation area. No accidents or injuries were reported.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arizona in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, August 2022
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: 1053151, 1053154, 1053155, 1053521, 1053523, 1053277, 1053511, 1053161, 1053522, 1053162, 1053244, 1053274, 1053280, 1053282, 1053284, 1053718, 1053722, 1053724, 1053285, 1053286, 1053287, 1053713, 1053466, 1053468, 1053472, 1053543, 1053708, 1053709, 1053720, 1053761, 1053671, 1053670, 1053674, 1053711, 1053473, 1053677, 1053678, 1053474, 1053475, 1053501, and more.