High pressure to the east and a trough to the west advected in a weak push of monsoon moisture, fueling isolated thunderstorms over northwest Arizona. A few produced severe weather and flooding.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 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 VEF wrote it up.
High pressure to the east and a trough to the west advected in a weak push of monsoon moisture, fueling isolated thunderstorms over northwest Arizona. A few produced severe weather and flooding.
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 Las Vegas, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 15, 3:00 PM MST, 1 hour 40 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 300 PM PDT Fri Aug 15 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... * Isolated thunderstorms are expected Saturday across portions of Mohave County and the crest of the southern Sierra. * Drier conditions expected Sunday through Tuesday. * A more classic monsoon pattern will potentially set up toward the end of next week with increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms for portions of the area. && .DISCUSSION...Through Thursday. Shortwave currently located over southern California with ridging over the central U.S. will help keep a modest monsoonal moisture fetch over Arizona. So far, isolated thunderstorms have been developing over northern Mohave County and slowly drifting northeast. Coverage over northern Mohave will continue to increase through the afternoon and early evening along with some isolated storms developing over portions of central and southern Mohave County. It is also possible that we could see some isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon over the Spring Mountains and Sheep Range as these areas will have more influence from the shortwave pushing into the region creating more lift. Storms over Mohave County will have more potential of flash flooding as deeper moisture and greatest instability exists. Anything west of Mohave County will trend drier leading to a greater threat of gusty outflow winds. It is unlikely these will impact the Las Vegas Valley as the stronger winds will push north into central Nye and southern Lincoln counties, although some increased east to northeast winds are possible overnight from storms from Mohave County. Drier air will continue overspreading the area Saturday, with a few isolated storms expected over northern Mohave County, though to a lesser extent than previous days as better moisture is shunted eastward. The primary threats with storms that develop will remain lightning, erratic gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall. A return to southwesterly flow aloft over the weekend as the aforementioned trough dampens will result in a fairly substantial drying trend that will shift precipitation chances to the east of the area through early next week. Additionally, a subtle decrease in thicknesses will allow temperatures to cool to slightly below normal through the weekend, though this relief will be short-lived. The current ridge anchored over the Central Plains is progged to retrograde and settle over the Four Corners Region by midweek, which will be favorable for not only a resurgence of monsoonal moisture across the area, but also a quick rebound to above normal temperatures midweek onward. While ensemble guidance is in good agreement regarding this evolution, the precise location and strength of the high will dictate how far west convection is able to develop, with a return of thunderstorm activity possible as early as Tuesday and Wednesday, potentially increasing through Thursday and beyond. Stay tuned. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 00Z Forecast Package...Southeast winds this afternoon will shift more to a south to southwest wind late this afternoon and will continue through the overnight period. Winds will remain gusty to around 20 knots through sunset and then diminish to around 10 knots. There remains a low (less than 20%) chance that easterly outflow from distant convection over northern Mohave County makes it into the valley tonight, but otherwise expect typical overnight winds. A few cumulus clouds through sunset with clear skies overnight. Temperatures Saturday are expected to be close to 100 degrees with the highest probability of reaching 100 degrees between 22Z-00Z. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 00Z Forecast Package...Southerly/westerly breezes across most areas this afternoon with gusts 15-30 knots, strongest across northwestern AZ and southeastern NV. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms likely over eastern Mohave County, with more isolated activity possible along the Sierra and White Mountains. The convection over the Sierra is expected to diminish around sunset, but could last into the later evening hours across northern Mohave County. Gusty and erratic winds possible near any convection. It is possible that some outflow winds could reach the Las Vegas Valley overnight with winds shifting to more of a northeast to east direction at times. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && DISCUSSION...Gorelow AVIATION...Gorelow For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter
The Las Vegas radar (KESX), 102 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:00 UTC.
1 strong wind, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
LANDSPOUT. Location: 36.9978 -113.5659. A landspout touched down in open desert. No damage was reported.
A microburst caused widespread damage in Bullhead City. Multiple power poles, power lines, and trees were blown down. A back patio was torn off a home and blown away. At least one garage door was blown in, and at least one roof was damaged.
Mountain View Road was closed due to flooding. A nearby rain gauge recorded 0.39 inch in 10 to 15 minutes.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arizona in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Arizona, August 2025
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: 1293184, 1293185, 1293186.