Arizona, 2022Heat in Arizona, March 26, 2022
March 26, 2022 · NWS TWC · 2 events in 2 counties and zones
Hot temperatures from the mid 80s to mid 90s were experienced in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona on March 26. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two males found in the desert, one southeast of Green Valley in Pima County and another west of Douglas in Cochise County.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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
Open the live radar over this ground
- Deaths
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 2
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.
Hot temperatures from the mid 80s to mid 90s were experienced in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona on March 26. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for two males found in the desert, one southeast of Green Valley in Pima County and another west of Douglas in Cochise County.
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 Mar 26, 4:01 AM MST, 8 hours 59 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 26, 4:01 AM MST, 8 hours 59 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
401 AM MST Sat Mar 26 2022
.SYNOPSIS...Expect unseasonably warm high temperatures this
weekend with a few locations near record highs this afternon.
Changes early next week as a storm system impacts the area
bringing gusty winds Monday and then a good chance of valley rain
and mountain snow showers and much cooler temperatures on
Tuesday. This system departs Wednesday with temperatures
rebounding to near normal to close out March and begin April.
&&
.DISCUSSION...Upper level ridge of high pressure will be over the
area today bringing another day of unseasonably warm late March
high temperatures with a few locations near record highs this
afternoon. The high clouds that will be over the area today is
associated with a very weak upper level short wave that was off
northern Baja coast this morning.
Sunday: With the upper level ridge east of the area high
temperatures will be 2 to 5 degrees cooler than today but still
running about 10 degrees above late March normals. Our weather
maker for next week, currently developing over the north Pacific
around 40N/140W this morning, will be approaching CA Sunday
afternoon.
Monday: Pressure gradient increases as the above mentioned Pacific
system will be between LA and Frisco. Breezy to locally windy
conditions area wide with the highest gusts and potential fire
weather issues being west of Tucson. The wind will also kick up
the dust. As the atmosphere moistens up from top down during the
day, a few light showers are possible west of Tucson and in the
mountains from near Tucson NE into the Whites late in the
afternoon. Cooler with highs 5 to 9 degrees cooler than Sunday.
Monday night into Tuesday: As the Pacific system moves inland
showers will be gradually increasing area wide with Tuesday
looking like a dreary cool and wet day. Snow levels will be
lowering into the 6500-7000 foot level. Can't rule out a few
thunderstorms on Tuesday. Much cooler Tuesday with highs running
around 10 to 20 degrees cooler than Monday.
Tuesday night into Wednesday: Precipitation will be ending from
west to east with any lingering snow showers Wednesday being
across the White mountains. Warmer Wednesday with high
temperatures rebounding around 10 degrees.
Storm total QPF with this event will range from 0.05" to 0.50" in
the valleys with locally higher totals north of Tucson and into
mountains near Tucson NE toward the White mountains. For snowfall
amounts, early guess has 3"-8" above 7000 feet for the mountains
near Tucson northeast toward the White mountains. Confidence with
these totals at this time on the low side.
Thursday: Additional warming with highs around late March normals
to close out the month of March. A short wave moving across the 4
corners will bring a slight chance of snow showers to the White
mountains.
April Fools day: A slight chance of light showers north of Tucson
with highs similar to what is forecast for the last day of March.
&&
.AVIATION...Valid through 27/12Z.
BKN-SCT clouds AOA 20k ft MSL thru valid period. SFC wind less
than 12 kts favoring a SWLY/WLY this afternoon and variable in
direction this morning and tonight into Sunday morning. Aviation
discussion not updated for TAF amendments.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...A ridge of high pressure across the region will
result in warm temperatures this weekend. High temperatures will
be the warmest today, with readings approaching 95 degrees in the
lower deserts. Afternoon minimum relative humidity values will be
in the single digits through the weekend, along with poor overnight
recoveries.
A weather system will impact Arizona early to mid next week. This
will result in gusty winds Monday and Tuesday, with critical fire
weather conditions possible west of Tucson Monday afternoon. This
will be followed by a good chance of showers Monday night into
early Wednesday. Can't rule out a few thunderstorms Tuesday
afternoon. Much cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity
values are expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
&&
.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None.
&&
Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
Heat, Tucson Metro Area
- When
- March 26, 1:00 PM MST to 5:00 PM MST
- Where
- Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
- Deaths
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Hot temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal, near 90 degrees, were experienced in southeast Pima County on March 26 causing the Moderate Heat Risk category to be approached. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for one male found in the desert seven miles southeast of Green Valley.
Heat, Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet
- When
- March 26, 1:00 PM MST to 5:00 PM MST
- Where
- Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet forecast zone
- Deaths
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 31.880, -109.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Hot temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal, in the upper 80s, were experienced in southern Cochise County on March 26 causing the Moderate Heat Risk category to be approached. The Pima County Medical Examiner confirmed that heat was the primary cause of death for one male found in the desert 15 miles west of Douglas.
- Heat
- Heat below excessive heat criteria that still caused deaths, injuries or significant impacts.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Marine Dense Fog in Eastern Pacific Coastal Waters, March 26, 20222 deaths · 1 event
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds in North Atlantic Coastal Waters, March 26, 202252 kt wind · 9 events
- Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, March 26 to 27, 20223 events
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Alaska, March 26 to 28, 20223 events
- Winter Storm in New York, March 26 to 27, 20223 events
- Winter Storm in West Virginia, March 26 to 27, 20222 events
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in West Virginia, March 26 to 27, 20222 events
- Wildfire in Arizona, March 26 to 31, 20222 events
- Wildfire in Colorado, March 26 to 31, 20222 events
- Marine High Wind in Lake Superior, March 26, 20221 event
- Winter Storm in Maryland, March 26 to 27, 20221 event
- Winter Storm in Virginia, March 26 to 27, 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1016848, 1017837.