


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
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720 FXUS65 KFGZ 171652 AFDFGZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 952 AM MST Thu Jul 17 2025 .SYNOPSIS...An active monsoonal period is forecast through Friday, with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms expected today and tomorrow. Low grade monsoon conditions then set in for the weekend and into next week, with isolated to scattered storms possible each day. Cooler temperatures are also expected through the rest of the week and into next week. && .DISCUSSION...Today...Monsoonal moisture remains place today, leading to another round of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. However, debris clouds from overnight convection may lead to a delayed start to the activity. As a result, coverage looks to be less than previously thought, with more scattered coverage of storms expected this afternoon. Storms look to initially form just south of the Mogollon Rim, where destabilization is expected to take place initially. With 0-6 km mean wind from the south, storm are then expected to move northward through the afternoon as instability increase across the remainder of the region. Storm motion of 5-15 kts and PWATs 0.80-1.10" will generally lead to a flash flood risk going into this afternoon. However, some weak 0-6 km shear (~20-30 kts) and pockets of modest CAPE (800-1000 J/Kg) could allow for a couple strong to severe storms this afternoon. Friday...A weak trough over the northern Baja ejects off the Pacific and moves into Arizona. This will lead to an increase in large scale ascent over the region, aiding in storm development. However, hi-res guidance does continue to back off on the overall coverage on Friday. As a result, more scattered coverage looks to be most probable. Given the influence of the trough, a few stronger storms may be possible, and potentially bring hail and strong winds. Flash flooding still looks to be the primary threat however. Saturday through Wednesday...The aforementioned trough looks to move into the Mojave Desert over the weekend, and eventually become absorbed into weak longwave trough over the northwestern US. This looks to usher in drier air to northern Arizona, with flow not exactly supportive of monsoonal moisture advection. Large-scale ensemble guidance still shows the vast majority of members supporting a downward trend in PWATs through at least the middle of next week. While storms do not look to entirely disappear, coverage looks to be more isolated. The greatest odds for storms look to mainly be over the higher terrain into next week, especially across the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains. && .AVIATION...Thursday 17/18Z through Friday 18/18Z...Scattered to widespread -SHRA/-TSRA before 02Z, with lingering -SHRA through 08Z. Brief MVFR conditions and gusty, erratic winds possible in and around thunderstorms. Otherwise, VFR conditions with daytime winds southwest at 5-15 kts. OUTLOOK...Friday 18/18Z through Sunday 20/18Z...Isolated to scattered SHRA/TSRA each day, mainly between 19Z-02Z. Brief MVFR conditions and gusty, erratic winds possible in and around thunderstorms. Otherwise, VFR conditions with daytime winds west to southwest at 5-15 kts. && .FIRE WEATHER...Today and Friday...Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected each afternoon and evening. Wetting rains, gusty outflow winds, and flash flooding will be possible. Daytime winds west/southwest 5-10 mph with gusts 10-20 mph each day. Saturday through Monday...Scattered to isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected over the weekend and on Monday, with the greatest odds over the eastern Mogollon Rim and White Mountains. Wetting rains are likely within any stronger storms. Daytime winds west/southwest 5-10 mph with gusts 10-20 mph each day. Gusty, erratic winds possible in and around thunderstorms. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ PUBLIC...Humphreys AVIATION...McCollum FIRE WEATHER...Humphreys For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff