A trough diving through the Great Basin and into Colorado brought very windy and dry conditions northern Arizona. The windiest areas were just north of the Mogollon Rim.
Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
A trough diving through the Great Basin and into Colorado brought very windy and dry conditions northern Arizona. The windiest areas were just north of the Mogollon Rim.
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 May 1, 9:11 AM MST, 2 hours 34 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 911 AM MST Sun May 1 2022 .SYNOPSIS...Very dry and warm weather will continue across the region well into next week. Strong southwest winds are expected on Sunday, with critical fire weather conditions in the afternoon. A Red Flag Warning and Wind Advisory are in effect for Sunday, across all of the area. Use extreme caution and avoid open flame, sparks, and parking on dry grass. && .UPDATE...Southwest winds are already beginning to mix down with gusts 30-35 mph across the high terrain. Expect winds to continue to increase through the late morning/early afternoon with gusts 45-55 mph possible by the late afternoon. Areas of blowing dust will be possible in the lower elevations. A Wind Advisory is in effect for much of the area through this evening. The strong winds in combination with very dry conditions will pose a dangerous fire weather threat through the afternoon. A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for all of Northern Arizona. Use extreme caution and be fire wise. The current forecast is on track with only minor edits needed this morning. && .PREV DISCUSSION /420 AM MST/...A trough diving through the Great Basin today and into Colorado tonight will bring very windy and dry conditions to the region. The entire CWA is covered with both Red Flag Warnings and Wind Advisories. The windiest and driest areas are likely to be just north of the Mogollon Rim. Minor height falls and forcing along the trough axis may bring some shallow, mid-level convection and VIRGA to the northern Arizona border. We are not expecting measurable precipitation. Winds drop off quickly tonight and higher elevations will likely cool off quite a bit. Less wind and a bit warmer for Monday. Tuesday features a nearly identical trough, compared to Sunday, and we will likely need more wind and fire danger headlines. A bit calmer and warmer for the rest of next week after Tuesday. There is a possibility of another trough and increasing winds late in the 7 day period. && .AVIATION...For the 18Z TAF package... Strong southwest winds will be the biggest aviation concern today. Winds will continue to strengthen, becoming 20-30 kts with gusts from 35-45 kts this afternoon. A few stronger gusts near 50 kts possible downwind of mountain features. There's potential for areas of blowing dust to reduce visibility primarily north of a KGCN - KFLG - KSOW line. Winds begin to decrease after 02Z Mon. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER...Very dry and warm with strong, gusty southwest winds Sunday. These critical fire weather conditions have led to a Red Flag Warning across all of northern Arizona Sunday. Very dry conditions continue Monday as southwest breezes weaken. Tuesday through Thursday...Strong southwest winds again Tuesday with critical fire weather conditions possible. Lighter northwest winds forecast for Wednesday and Thursday along with dry conditions. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MST this evening FOR AZZ104>118- 137>140. Wind Advisory until 7 PM MST this evening FOR AZZ004>018-037>040. && PUBLIC...ET/Peterson AVIATION...MCT FIRE WEATHER...JM For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 avalanche, 2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The wind sensor along Interstate 40 at Two Guns reported high wind gusts between 1145 AM and 1215 PM. The peak wind gust was 60 MPH at 1153 AM.
The peak wind gust at Petrified Forest National Monument was 61 MPH at 143 PM.
The Window Rock Airport reported a peak wind gust of 62 MPH at 109 PM MST.
The peak wind gust at the Flagstaff Airport was 61 MPH at 329 PM MST.
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, May 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: 1018174, 1018186, 1018187, 1018188.