Multiple mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) were seen across Arizona during the morning. Clearing skies allowed for daytime heating to add to the already unstable atmosphere.
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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.
Multiple mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) were seen across Arizona during the morning. Clearing skies allowed for daytime heating to add to the already unstable atmosphere. As a result, there were multiple flash floods across the area.
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 Jul 27, 9:46 AM MST, 3 hours 37 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 946 AM MST Wed Jul 27 2022 .SYNOPSIS...An active monsoon pattern will continue this week with widespread showers and thunderstorms expected. This will result in the flash flood threat persisting through at least Friday. && .UPDATE...Multiple mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) can be seen on current visible satellite imagery this morning across Arizona. These features have contributed to the ongoing isolated to scattered shower activity with the best coverage taking place across Yavapai and western Coconino counties. Cloud cover has cleared towards the east along the New Mexico border with some erosion taking place westward. This will allow for some daytime heating to take place as the sun peaks through the scattered to broken cloud cover. Expect another busy convective day across northern Arizona with widespread shower and thunderstorm activity forecast by the early afternoon hours. Flash flooding remains the main concern during this time with forecast rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour likely in any storms. Based on this morning's soundings from Flagstaff and Phoenix, sampled PWATs came in around the 1 to 2 inch range with a "skinny" CAPE profile. Sufficient saturation also was detected in both soundings up to around 300 mb, signaling this "soupy" airmass remaining in place over Arizona. The Flash Flood Watch for the region remains in effect through Friday morning with WPC's Excessive Rainfall Outlook leaving us in a Marginal to Slight flash flood risk through Friday. && .PREV DISCUSSION /335 AM MST/...This monsoon is not slowing down with another night of convection lighting up radar. Currently, storms are moving across Coconino and Yavapai Counties. Most of them have rain rates between 1-2"/hr., however, there are some small areas receiving rain rates upwards of 4"/hr. This pattern will continue for the foreseeable future. Of major concern is the saturated soils out there and the flash flooding/urban flooding we have already seen so many times in the last few days. Due to this, and the signal that much more rain is on the way, we have extended the Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning at 5 AM MST for all of northern Arizona. Slot canyons, swimming holes, burn scars, normally dry washes, creeks and areas downstream from these places will be particularly vulnerable- which could result in a tragic end to otherwise enjoyable recreation. Have more than one way to receive warnings especially in areas with limited cell service. Keep in mind that just because it isn't raining on you, it doesn't mean that you're not in the path of a deadly flow of water! Low water crossings will also be a hazard which could create deadly travel conditions with nighttime flooding even more of a threat. Turn around, don't drown! It's impossible to know how deep that water is if the road beneath that water has been washed away. && AVIATION...For the 18Z TAF package...Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day and evening. Storms will produce MVFR/IFR VIS & CIGS at times with VFR conditions outside of storms. Scattered activity is likely to remain overnight with extensive low to mid cloud cover. Overall light winds anticipated during this time, except near any strong storms with gusty and erratic outflows likely. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && FIRE WEATHER...Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected through Thursday with moderate to heavy rainfall as the main threat. Rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are anticipated, increasing the flash flood potential. Storm coverage decreases overnight, however, isolated to scattered storms will remain. Light winds away from storms with cool conditions overall. Friday through Sunday...Anticipate widespread storm coverage to continue through the weekend with the main threat of flash flooding. Temperatures begin a slight warming trend with light winds forecast. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through late Thursday night for AZZ004>018-037>040- 104>118-137>140. && PUBLIC...LaGuardia/Kobold AVIATION...LaGuardia FIRE WEATHER...LaGuardia For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff
The Cedar City radar (KICX), 201 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:24 UTC.
6 flash flood, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Flash flooding was reported over Highway 98 five miles east of K'ai'bii'to. Some roads washed out in the area.
Heavy rain over the Pipeline Fire scar (2022) resulted in 1-2 feet of water flowing in Schultz Creek, over Mount Elden Road, and overwhelming the culvert at Highway 180, and flowing onto the bike path next to Highway 180. The water flowing over the highway caused a temporary closure.
Heavy rain fell just east of Snowflake with 1.22 inches reported.
Flash flooding unearthed two main water pipelines (8 and 10 inch) which had to be shut down. This left around 75 people with out flowing water in Indian Wells, Dilkon, and Seba areas.
A swift water rescue took place along Indian Route 4 by Burnt Corn Wash (about 5 miles east of Pi on) where an elderly gentleman in his car was rescued.
Flooding was reported in rural Steamboat Canyon. Water washed out a residential road.
Flash flooding was reported on the north side of Tuba City washed away dirt roads and people had to be rescued from the water.
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, July 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: 1049712, 1049713, 1049714, 1049718, 1049719, 1049723, 1049715.