Arizona, 2022High Wind in Arizona, December 28, 2022
December 28, 2022 · NWS TWC · 1 event in 1 county or zone
High winds accompanied the passage of an upper level trough. The strongest winds occurred across southwest Cochise County during the morning of December 28, downing power poles in Sierra Vista.
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $4,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 1
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.
High winds accompanied the passage of an upper level trough. The strongest winds occurred across southwest Cochise County during the morning of December 28, downing power poles in Sierra Vista.
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 28, 2:58 AM MST, 6 hours 32 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Dec 28, 2:58 AM MST, 6 hours 32 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
258 AM MST Wed Dec 28 2022
.SYNOPSIS...A major shift in the pattern will bring about an
extended period of cool and occasionally wet weather to close out
2022 and begin 2023. Significant rainfall is possible with snow
over the high mountain peaks.
&&
.DISCUSSION...A weather system will pass through the region today
bringing widespread valley rain and higher elevation snow showers.
Radar imagery showed showers already spreading into western sections
of the area overnight. The latest models suggested that the bulk of
the precipitation will be from 6 AM through 6 PM MST today. That
said, a Winter Weather Advisory has been posted for mountain
elevations above 7500 feet where 6 to 10 inches of snow will be
possible. A weaker secondary systems will keep the chance of
precipitation in the forecast as it passes through Thursday
afternoon and evening. Thereafter, a break in the wet weather can be
anticipated before the next system impacts the area mainly Sunday
into early Monday. Ensembles suggested that this next system will be
colder and more dynamic than the one tracking through today.
Overall, there will be some noteworthy snow accumulations generally
above 7000 feet by early next week along with an extended period of
cool weather.
&&
.AVIATION...Valid through 29/12Z.
A weather system will pass through the region bringing lower
ceilings and precipitation to the area through 29/06Z. Thereafter,
improving conditions can be anticipated from west to east across SE
AZ. Expect CIGS 3-6k ft with SCT-NMRS -SHRA, LCL MVFR and MTNS
OBSCD. SFC winds mostly SLY/SWLY thru pd 5 to 15 kts. Gusts up to 30
kts psbl in isold areas. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF
amendments
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...A pattern change will bring cooler temperatures,
periods of precipitation and breezes. The first system will move
through today with valley rains and high elevation snow. Scattered
showers will linger across parts of the area Thursday possibly into
Friday. Another significant system is expected late in the weekend
into Monday.
&&
.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory through 6 PM MST today for zones AZZ510-
511-514.
&&
Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
High Wind, Upper San Pedro River Valley
- When
- December 28, 9:30 AM MST to 11:30 AM MST
- Where
- Upper San Pedro River Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $4,000
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 32.109, -110.569 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Sustained southwest winds of 40 mph and gusts greater than 60 mph were observed in the Sierra Vista area. KALK Pioneer Field measured a gust to 66 mph at 1039MST and 1109MST while KFHU Libby Field measured a gust to 63 mph at 1038MST. Two power poles were downed along Cherokee Ave. south of Buffalo Soldier Trail.
- High Wind
- Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- High Wind in Texas, December 28, 202260 kt wind · 20 events
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Colorado, December 28 to 29, 20229 events
- High Wind in Texas, December 28, 202257 kt wind · 4 events
- High Wind in Texas, December 28, 202283 kt wind · 2 events
- Heavy Snow in Colorado, December 28 to 29, 20222 events
- Heavy Snow in Colorado, December 28 to 29, 20222 events
- Heavy Snow in Arizona, December 28, 20221 event
- Wildfire in Texas, December 28, 20221 event
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: 1069042.