Daytime heating combined with divergence aloft associated with an easterly wave near the Arizona/New Mexico border promoted thunderstorm initiation across southeast Arizona during the afternoon of the 30th. Outflow boundaries generated from these thunderstorms raced northwest toward south-central Arizona, resulting in a dust storm in Pinal County where multiple instances of dense blowing dust…
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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 PSR wrote it up.
Daytime heating combined with divergence aloft associated with an easterly wave near the Arizona/New Mexico border promoted thunderstorm initiation across southeast Arizona during the afternoon of the 30th. Outflow boundaries generated from these thunderstorms raced northwest toward south-central Arizona, resulting in a dust storm in Pinal County where multiple instances of dense blowing dust less than 1/4 mile were reported. New thunderstorm development occurred along these boundaries with some thunderstorms becoming severe. Numerous instances of damaging winds were reported across the Phoenix area and down into northwest Pinal County, which included multiple downed trees and power poles. A very moist environment, with PWATs in excess of 1.80 allowed for thunderstorms to become efficient heavy rainfall producers. Rainfall amounts upwards of around 1.50 within an hour were reported during the event. There were multiple reports of flash flooding across northern parts of the Phoenix area, leading to several water rescues and making some roads impassable. Flash flooding also led to water and mud entering some apartments in north Phoenix causing extensive water damage. Isolated flash flooding occurred across Pinal, Gila, and Yuma Counties. No injuries were reported with this event.
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 Jul 30, 12:35 PM MST, 1 hour earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 1235 PM MST Sat Jul 30 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Periodic chances for showers and thunderstorms will continue through the weekend with locally heavy rainfall and isolated flooding the greatest threats. This afternoon and tonight look to be the most active period. A decline in humidity levels is anticipated during the first part of next week resulting in a decrease in storm chances with Tuesday anticipated to be the least active day. Storm chances increase again during the latter half of next week. Temperatures will continue to be below normal through the weekend before warming close to the seasonal average during the middle of next week. Another downtrend in high temperatures is anticipated late next week. && .DISCUSSION... Storms have started early today. So far within our forecast area they have been isolated. Storm activity is anticipated to increase during the afternoon due to destabilization from better insolation (compared to recent days). Plus, over our western areas, the inverted trough is over far southern California. And, there is another wave approaching from the east (currently centered near the Big Bend) that is anticipated to provide some upper level divergence later on. With high PWAT values, the convection will continue to be capable of flooding rains. A factor that may mitigate flooding potential is having 10-15 kts of mid- tropospheric winds which should help move the storms along (not counting training situations), In addition, the CAMs and HREF have been locking onto the idea of storms from southeast AZ moving northward across the south-central AZ deserts (including the Phoenix area) and producing strong winds. HREF depicts a 70% chance of winds reaching at least 35 knots later this afternoon/early evening over Pinal County and 50-70% chance of that for the Phoenix area. Thus, blowing dust potential is also a concern. HREF depicts less than 10% chance of gusts >= 50kts. Given the available CAPE, strong winds are very plausible. In fact, earlier RAP/SPC analysis had widespread MUCAPE values of 1000-2000 J/Kg with 500-1500 J/Kg of MLCAPE. But as of this writing, those values have gone up by 1000 J/Kg respectively. While there are caveats with model initializations, the PSR and TWC soundings from 12Z certainly supported the MLCAPE values from earlier. The CAMs and HREF go on to show a late night/morning round of storms emanating from northern Mexico mainly affecting southwest AZ (for our CWA). Anticipate this would look something like what we've had in recent days with isolated to scattered showers and a stray thunderstorm producing brief localized heavy rain. During the day Sunday, the hi-res models depict less storm activity than today as the aforementioned wave begins shifting away from the eastern half of AZ and there may a little bit of drier air working into far southeast AZ. PoPs also reflect a downturn. However, there is still 10-30% chance across the lower deserts for the afternoon and evening. Global models remain in good agreement consolidating and strengthening H5 ridging across eastern AZ/western NM during the first half of next week. Expansive H5 heights around 594dm settling over the region will deflect easterly waves into northern Mexico while incorporating somewhat drier air into the atmospheric column. While this type of pattern will not completely scour away moisture, mixing ratios closer to 10-11 g/kg and PWATs falling to 1.50 inches will be introduced allowing greater inhibition to grow over lower elevation communities. Mandated NBM POPs bleed some modest POPs into the Phoenix metro through the early part of the week, but all indications suggest a few days where storms remain relegated to higher terrain areas. During the latter half of the week, high pressure ridging will likely shift northeast into the Midwest allowing easterly flow and shortwaves to migrate back into southern AZ. While details will certainly change over time, there is evidence of at least one robust easterly wave aggressively punching into the forecast area with numerous storms during the end of next week. && .AVIATION...Updated at 1735Z. South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT: Main aviation weather concern through this evening will be the potential for thunderstorm activity to directly affect the area terminals. In the meantime, winds through late afternoon will be from west with speeds of around 10 kts, with occasionally a few higher gusts. Thereafter, will be monitoring the potential for thunderstorms developing across SE Arizona to make its way into the area between 01-03z. There is now ~50% chance of winds exceeding 30 kts along with areas of blowing dust as well as heavy rainfall reducing visibilities to MVFR or less conditions. After the storms exit the area, conditions will improve with light easterly winds prevailing through the overnight into the morning hours of Sunday, with variable directions possible at times. There are indications amongst some guidance of the potential for another round of activity affecting the terminals early Sunday morning, however, confidence is low at this time for TAF mention and could be included in subsequent TAF packages if confidence increases. Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH: IPL: No aviation concerns expected through the period, with southeasterly winds around 10 kts prevailing. SCT-BKN cloud bases remaining above 10 kft can be expected. BLH: VCSH can be expected through the mid-afternoon hours with conditions improving thereafter. Winds will remain from a southerly direction around 10 kts, however, some occasionally higher gusts along with some lower CIGS/VIS are possible from showers in the vicinity. && .FIRE WEATHER... Abundant moisture will persist across the area through the weekend with only modest drying during the first half of next week. Overall, the fire threat will remain low with periodic chances for wetting rainfall, particularly over eastern districts. Minimum humidity levels will remain somewhat elevated mostly ranging from 20-30%, except 30-40% over higher terrain of eastern areas. Recovery will vary widely between 30-90% depending on thunderstorm and rainfall locations. Winds will generally remain light with some occasional afternoon upslope gusts, and isolated stronger gusts near any stronger thunderstorms. && .PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AZ...None. CA...None. && DISCUSSION...AJ/18 AVIATION...Lojero FIRE WEATHER...18
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1144 AM MST Sat Jul 30 2022
AZZ558-562-563-301915-
Southeast Gila County AZ-Globe/Miami AZ-
Pinal/Superstition Mountains AZ-
1144 AM MST Sat Jul 30 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Gila County through
1215 PM MST...
At 1143 AM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Miami, or near Globe. This storm was nearly stationary.
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...
Globe, Miami, Central Heights-Midland City, Claypool and Inspiration.
This includes the following highways...
US Highway 60 between mile markers 240 and 251.
AZ Route 188 between mile markers 214 and 221.
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 3334 11093 3347 11099 3348 11098 3352 11077
3336 11077
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 174DEG 1KT 3342 11086
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1253 PM MST Sat Jul 30 2022
AZZ532-535-302045-
Southeast Yuma County AZ-Yuma AZ-
1253 PM MST Sat Jul 30 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Yuma
County through 145 PM MST...
At 1253 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles southwest of Fortuna Foothills, moving west at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph as well as localized blowing
dust.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Yuma, Somerton, Gadsden and San Luis.
This includes AZ Route 195 between mile markers 5 and 21.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3247 11474 3251 11482 3254 11481 3255 11479
3256 11481 3262 11481 3264 11477 3257 11433
3236 11436
TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 097DEG 32KT 3251 11449
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
GLPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
1255 PM MST SAT JUL 30 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 PM HEAVY RAIN 1 SW CLAYPOOL 33.40N 110.85W
07/30/2022 M2.06 INCH GILA AZ TRAINED SPOTTER
FROM 1050AM TO NOON, 2.06 INCHES OF RAIN
FELL NEAR HIGHWAY 60 AND CALLE DE LOMA.
&&
AJThe Yuma radar (KYUX), 30 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:36 UTC.
16 flash flood, 12 thunderstorm wind, 4 dust storm. Local standard time, as filed.
A video showed a wash flowing over a low water crossing along 48th Street, making the road impassable. No damage or injuries were reported.
Visibility less than 1/4 mile due to dense blowing dust was reported at the I-8 and I-10 junction. No accidents or injuries were reported.
Visibility less than 1/4 mile due to dense blowing dust was reported near Ropers Road and Bard Arrow Road. No accidents or injuries were reported.
Visibilities less than 1/4 mile due to dense blowing dust were reported at I-10 at Val Vista Road as well as Waverly Drive and Cox Road. No accidents or injuries were reported.
Images showed significant roof damage to a couple of homes and a flipped trailer home just north of I-8 near Montgomery Road. No injuries were reported.
Multiple toppled or snapped wooden power poles were reported along Rodeo Road west of SR 387. Additional downed power poles were reported along McCartney Road nearby. No injuries were reported.
An image showed a large branch of a tree snapped off and narrowly missed a home near Ocotillo Road and Meridian Road. A video taken in the area showed very strong winds estimated to be in excess of 60 mph. No injuries were reported.
Wind gusts up to 60 mph were measured with a handheld anemometer. Multiple 10-inch diameter Palo Verde trees were reported to have been knocked over in the area. No injuries were reported.
Visibility less than 1/10 mile due to dense blowing dust was reported near Smith Enke Road. A video on social media taken in Maricopa showed visibility less than 1/4 mile. No accidents or injuries were reported.
A video showed a palm tree falling onto three vehicles at a car dealership resulting in damage to the vehicles. No injuries were reported.
Spring Creek was reported to be running approximately 8-9 ft in depth, impacting low water crossings through the creek. Over 2 of rain was reported to have fallen in the span of about an hour in this area. No damage or injuries were reported.
Forest Service Road 396 was closed between Stagecoach Trail and the Eads Wash Day Use Site and River Access Point due to unsafe road conditions from flash flooding. No damage or injuries were reported.
SR 238 westbound was closed at milepost 41 due to flooding. No damage or injuries were reported.
An image showed a large tree that fell onto three parked vehicles at an apartment complex near 7th Avenue and Osborn Road. No injuries were reported.
Approximately 7-8 power poles were reported down along the Grand Canal, with many falling toward homes and crashing through cinder block walls. Another cinder block wall was knocked down after a metal shed blew out of the backyard of a home and into the canal. No injuries were reported.
An image showed a large tree fell onto and destroyed a metal carport, with an SUV parked underneath. No injuries were reported.
Media live broadcast showed a snapped power pole near Cave Creek Road and Greenway Road. No injuries were reported.
An image showed a metal carport roof blown onto a couple of parked cars. No injuries were reported.
Images showed a gas station canopy knocked over at 7th Street and Coral Gables Drive, falling onto a vehicle. Nearby, images showed an uprooted tree approximately 1 ft in diameter fallen over onto a fence, tearing part of the fence down. No injuries were reported.
ASOS at Phoenix-Deer Valley Municipal Airport.
A video showed firefighters performing a swift water rescue after an SUV stalled in floodwaters when attempting to drive across a low water crossing along 7th Avenue between Greenway Parkway and Coral Gables Drive. At 1925MST, a nearby FCDMC stream gage exceeded bank full stage after recording a peak height of 8.07 ft and a peak flow of 5,080 cfs, which broke the record for this gage. No injuries were reported.
Up to 3 ft of water and mud entered some first floor apartments at Central Avenue and Bell Road after the drainage system was overcome. Some cars in the parking lot of the apartment were also damaged. No injuries were reported.
A video showed approximately 1-2 ft of water flowing across the road near 12th Street and Hatcher Road. No damage or injuries were reported.
Eagle Eye Road was closed between Salome Highway and US 60 due to flooding in multiple locations along the road. A FCDMC stream gage along Tiger Wash, which flows across an unbridged crossing along the road, briefly climbed above alarm stage after peaking at a height of 5.98 ft and a flow of 541 cfs. No damage or injuries were reported.
A video showed six cars stalled in floodwaters at the I-17 and Greenway Road underpass. No injuries were reported.
A video on social media showed approximately 6-8 of water flowing south down 16th Street next to Buffalo Ridge Park. No damage or injuries were reported.
Photos showed flooding across Scottsdale Road near Deer Valley Road, making the road impassable. Police were on scene to prevent people from attempting to cross the flooded roadway. No damage or injuries were reported.
A video showed a car stalled in floodwaters over two feet deep near 7th Street and Hearn Road. No injuries were reported.
A video showed Galloway Wash flowing over School House Road, making the road impassable. No damage or injuries were reported.
A FCDMC stream gage along Cave Creek climbed above alarm stage, peaking at 6.24 ft and 2,459 cfs at 1943MST.
Image showed stalled SUV in floodwaters at a low water crossing along Cloud Road between 7th Street and 10th Street. No injuries were reported.
Elevated flow in Skunk Creek led to the closure of a low water crossing along 19th Avenue between Desert Hills Drive and Irvine Road. A nearby FCDMC stream gage along Skunk Creek recorded a peak flow of 624 cfs and a peak height of 2.71 ft. No damage 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, 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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1047147, 1047164, 1047168, 1047169, 1047141, 1047143, 1047146, 1047139, 1047173, 1047194, 1047134, 1047136, 1047138, 1046926, 1046940, 1046948, 1046951, 1046953, 1046954, 1046955, 1046907, 1046835, 1047183, 1047193, 1046838, 1046840, 1046843, 1046924, 1047187, 1046863, 1046869, 1046878.