Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Tucson, AZ
Issued by NWS Tucson, AZ
921 FXUS65 KTWC 102108 AFDTWC Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ Issued by National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 208 PM MST Mon Aug 10 2026 .SYNOPSIS... Expect daily chances of showers and thunderstorms much of this week. While there will be day to day variability, Monday and Wednesday look to be the most active days. Storm coverage will be much less Friday into the weekend. High temperatures will be near normal today and Tuesday with additional lowering to around 3 to 6 degrees below normal Wednesday and Thursday before temperatures warm again into the weekend. && .DISCUSSION... As of 2 PM, thunderstorms are beginning to initiate in the expected areas in the White and Chirichua Mountains. Activity is expected to increase in coverage and intensity this afternoon and evening. The multi-hazard impacts of severe winds and flash flooding are still on track. Looking to tomorrow, there can be another day of multi-hazard impacts of severe wind and flash flooding. For the strong to severe winds, the latest 11/15Z U of A WRF HRRR (usually the most bullish of the models) is showing the potential for a line of thunderstorms forming forming from initial activity the Huachucha Mountains/Santa Cruz County moving northwest towards the Tucson Metro into Central Pima and Pinal Counties. This is the reasonable worst case scenario, with the more likely scenario being thunderstorms being strong to severe but more scattered in nature, not in a formal line. The 11/12Z HREF is showing a 10% probability of 50 kts within 40 km in mainly Cochise County with this run. I wouldn`t be surprised if future HREF runs spreads this contour westward as it accounts for the HRRR`s latest runs that are latching onto more activity and stronger outflow winds. Moisture from the west and south moves back into the eastern valleys, allowing for more of a flash flood threat for areas Tucson eastward. The 11/12Z HREF is highlighting these areas for 3 hour probabilities of storm totals between 1-2 inches, with a localized threat for 3 inches. The elevated monsoonal pattern continues into Thursday this week with day to day variability. With the high pressure staying in the four corners region, the easterly flow aloft will keep the ability for the afternoon/early evening activity to move out of the area and allow for the atmosphere to recharge each night. The only caveat to this would be any overnight convection that could hamper and/or shut down the activity for the next day. On the bright side, the increased thunderstorm activity will `cool` high temperatures, especially Tuesday through Thursday. Temperatures begin to warm up Friday into early next week. && .AVIATION...Valid through 12/00Z. Now thru 11/06z, SCT -SHRA/-TSRA with clouds 8-12k ft AGL. Isold vsbys 1SM +TSRA. Gusty erratic winds of 35-50 kts possible with any thunderstorm. Outside of storms SFC winds WLY/NWLY at 8-12 kts with occasional afternoon gusts to 20 kts this afternoon and evening. Aft 11/06z, ISOLD -SHRA mainly W of KTUS diminishing. Lower cloud decks also diminishing. SFC winds light and terrain driven after 11/06Z. Additional SHRA/TSRA chances aft 11/18Z thru the end of the period. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments. && .FIRE WEATHER... Expect daily afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms through Thursday with less coverage Friday into next weekend. Minimum relative humidity will be 20-40 percent Monday through Thursday lowering to around 15-30 percent thereafter. Temperatures will be near normal through Tuesday, dropping to below normal Wednesday and Thursday, then warming again next weekend. Outside of thunderstorms, winds terrain driven to around 10 mph with occasional afternoon gusts to 20 mph. && .TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch from 2 PM MST this afternoon through this evening for AZZ501>506-514-515. Flood Watch from 2 PM MST Tuesday through 11 PM MST Tuesday for AZZ503-504-507>509-511>514. && $$ JT Visit us on Facebook, X, YouTube, and at weather.gov/Tucson