A potent upper-level trough moved across the western states, resulting in strong gusty winds as well as areas of blowing dust across portions of Southeast California. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were reported in the Imperial Valley.
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.
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.
A potent upper-level trough moved across the western states, resulting in strong gusty winds as well as areas of blowing dust across portions of Southeast California. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were reported in the Imperial Valley.
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 Apr 21, 9:15 PM PST, 1 hour 44 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
1015 PM MST Thu Apr 21 2022
.UPDATE...
Updated Aviation
&&
.SYNOPSIS...
Windy and cooler weather arrives as a cold front sweeps through the
area Friday morning. While rain chances are near zero, strong winds
will be common as it passes Friday with wind gusts from 30 to 40
mph. Wind advisories have been issued for portions of the region,
including Phoenix. High temperatures across the lower desert will
remain in the 70s on Friday. High pressure builds through the
weekend and into early next week. Under an abundance of sunshine and
calmer breezes, highs across lower elevations will approach 90
degrees by Sunday, and then close in on 100 degrees by Tuesday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Changes are looming in the longwave pattern across the West. Upper
low pressure resides off the Pacific coastline. On its western
flank, a strong jet streak is forecast to round the base of the
trough as it moves over California and Arizona during the next 36
hours. By Friday evening, the axis of this trough should extend from
the Four Corners to Boise ID, according to the EPS.
Central Arizona and Southern California will sit beneath some fairly
vigorous jet stream energy as this system passes by. However, as
previous forecaster noted, this is expected to be a dry system for
our CWA. Our grand ensemble tool depicts no measurable QPF for the
area during this event. Available hi-res guidance show that PVA is
maximized north of I-40, further underscoring the lack of rain
potential around here.
So, our biggest concern will be a noticeable uptick in wind speeds
and gusts across our area on Friday. First glance of ensemble
members and the NBM show that wind gusts will pick up as early as
this evening across SE California. Terrain influences may promote
localized wind gusts over 40 mph at times as broad onshore flow
interacts with the mountains immediately west of the Imperial Valley
and Salton Sea. The risk of wind gusts >=40 mph at IPL is near 80%
this evening, off the NBM4.1. Current wind advisory looks good for
this area starting at 5pm PDT.
For the remainder of the area, the strong wind gust potential is
focused late Friday morning through the afternoon hours.
A glance at model soundings for PHX show a well-mixed layer up to
700mb at 21Z Friday. Within the boundary layer, synoptic flow is
anywhere from 25-35 KT. With RH values <30% in the lowest 3KFT and
excellent lapse rates, some fairly healthy gusts will reach the
surface over much of the area. Not to mention, we have already had
several afternoons where gusts have been from 25-35 mph at PHX
recently. NBM4.1 probability of reaching 40 mph wind speeds at Sky
Harbor are around 80% between 1-4PM MST.
A wind advisory remains for the high terrain east of Phoenix
beginning at 11AM MST Friday. To better get the message out that
gusty winds are also expected within Greater Phoenix, we have
expanded the wind advisory westward to include the metro and
surrounding areas. Some blowing dust is expected as well,
particularly in open/rural spots. Wind speeds relax significantly
after sunset. Thanks to WFOs TWC/FGZ for collaboration.
One plus to this system is that a respite from the heat is expected
with widespread 75-80 degree readings across the lower deserts
tomorrow.
&&
.PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...(Extended)
Over the weekend, winds won't be as strong but there will be
lingering breeziness as the low pressure system exits and high
pressure starts building in. There may be a trailing short wave, but
it will be inconsequential. With the northerly component to the
winds, very dry air will be advected into the area with dew points
in the teens and possibly single digits. As the high pressure moves
through the western states, temperatures climb. In fact, highs in
the upper 90s to near 100 will be common on Tuesday and Wednesday.
NBM 4.0 has the probability of 100 degrees for PHX on those days at
30-40%.
&&
.AVIATION...Updated at 0515Z.
South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT:
Unusually strong, gusty winds Friday afternoon will become a
significant weather hazard under mostly clear skies. W/SW winds will
persist longer into the overnight than usual for most aerodromes,
and in fact, confidence is good that the typical easterly switch at
KPHX will not occur. SW gusts 20-25kt will start to become common by
late morning, then occasional gusts ~35kt will affect much of the
area mid/late afternoon. Moderate confidence exists that the period
of 21Z-00Z appear to have the greatest potential for the strongest
winds. Lofted dust and reduced slant range visibilities are likely
around sunset. Winds will slowly weaken through the evening and
overnight hours Friday as gusts abate below 20kt.
Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:
Gusty W/SW winds through much of the day Friday will be a
significant weather hazard under clear skies. Gusts 20-30kt will be
common across the area into the overnight with more pronounced gusts
30-35kt at KIPL along with occasional MVFR visibilities in BLDU.
Wind speeds will remain elevated overnight and Friday morning,
though with gusts more muted. A resumption of increasingly gusty
winds (25-35kt) should occur Friday afternoon, then quickly
weakening early Friday evening. Lofted dust and reduced slantwise
visibilities will be common through the period.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Sunday through Thursday:
Modest breezes are expected each day with warming temperatures.
Afternoon gusts of 10-20 mph can be expected with calmer nighttime
and morning conditions. Drier air will also become entrenched across
the service area. Afternoon RH values will be in the 4-8% range in
most areas, recovering only to 20-25% at night. No rain is forecast.
&&
.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...Wind Advisory from 11 AM to 7 PM MST Friday for AZZ534-537>556-
559-561.
Wind Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM MST Friday for AZZ557-558-560-
562-563.
CA...Wind Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 5 AM PDT Friday for
CAZ563-566-567.
Wind Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 7 PM PDT Friday for
CAZ562.
&&
Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and at weather.gov/phoenix
DISCUSSION...Heil
PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...AJ
AVIATION...18
FIRE WEATHER...HeilThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A 63 mph wind gust reported at the Imperial Airport ASOS.
A 60 mph wind gust was reported at the El Centro NAF ASOS station.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in California, April 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: 1022508, 1022509.