Arizona, 2022

Flash Flooding and Hail in Arizona, July 21, 2022

July 21, 2022 · NWS PSR · 4 events in 1 county or zone

Thunderstorms developed along the Mogollon Rim over to the White Mountains during the afternoon of the 21st. High pressure centered over the northern portion of the state promoted weak east/northeast steering flow, which helped thunderstorms to propagate toward the west/southwest.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$1,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

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 PSR wrote it up.

Thunderstorms developed along the Mogollon Rim over to the White Mountains during the afternoon of the 21st. High pressure centered over the northern portion of the state promoted weak east/northeast steering flow, which helped thunderstorms to propagate toward the west/southwest. Sufficient moisture (PWATs around 1.3-1.4) and high instability (CAPE around 1,000-1,500 J/kg) provided a favorable environment for strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing locally heavy rainfall across southern Gila County. By early evening, strong to severe thunderstorms pushed into the Globe area producing damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding in the area. No injuries were reported.

The radar

The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 81 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:41 UTC.

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Event by event

2 flash flood, 1 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Gila

When
July 21, 5:44 PM MST
Where
Gila County, 0.66 mi SE of Central Hgts
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.413, -110.812

Thunderstorm Wind, Gila

When
July 21, 5:45 PM MST
Where
Gila County, 0.7 mi SW of Miami
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
33.393, -110.878

A large Cypress tree fell onto a building causing some damage.

Flash Flood, Gila

When
July 21, 6:22 PM MST to 7:22 PM MST
Where
Gila County, 3.19 mi SSE of Globe to 3.18 mi SSE of Globe
Cause
Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
33.355, -110.766

Videos show Pinal Creek overtopping a bridge along Six Shooter Canyon Road near Delores Lane making the road impassable. Flood waters from the overtopped bridge are seen in a video traveling down Six Shooter Canyon Road. A rain gage upstream recorded 1.1 of rain in 15 minutes. No injuries or damage was reported.

Flash Flood, Gila

When
July 21, 6:53 PM MST to 7:53 PM MST
Where
Gila County, 1.31 mi SSE of Globe to 1.33 mi SSE of Globe
Cause
Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
33.382, -110.772

Heavy rainfall over the Telegraph burn scar led to heavy runoff into Pinal Creek. The rapid increase in flow in Pinal Creek made Beer Tree Crossing impassable, with images showing barricades in place to close the road. A nearby stream gage observed a 1.84 ft increase in flow in Pinal Creek. No damage or injuries were reported.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Arizona in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, July 2022

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1046602, 1046605, 1046607, 1046603.