788 FXUS65 KTWC 102100 AFDTWCArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tucson AZ 200 PM MST Wed Sep 10 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
Isolated to scattered thunderstorm chances continue each afternoon and evening through Friday, mainly near and east of Tucson and Nogales through the New Mexico border. Gusty winds, blowing dust, and lightning will be the main hazards. Outside of thunderstorms expect breezy winds each afternoon with high temperatures coming down a few degrees through Friday.
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.DISCUSSION...
Southerly flow out ahead of west coast troughing has brought modest moisture into southeastern Arizona (precipitable water values around 1 inch), combining with ascent associated with the nearby trough to produce isolated to scattered thunderstorms this afternoon near and east of Tucson-Nogales. The 18Z Tucson upper air observation showed dry mid-levels with modestly moist lower- levels, indicative of an atmosphere conducive to thunderstorm initiations but with shorter lifespans. With DCAPE in the 1600 J/kg (measured by the 18Z balloon) to 1900 J/kg range, very isolated near-severe wind gusts are possible with any thunderstorm this afternoon. Cloud layer wind in the 15-25 knot range will lead to fairly quick moving cells which along with the relatively dry atmosphere should preclude a flash flooding threat.
A similar pattern remains over the coming 48 hours as the trough remains to the west before finally crossing eastward this weekend. Tucson-Nogales and north through central Pinal looks to be on the western edge of thunderstorm chances Thursday and Friday afternoon/evenings, with chances highest (15-30 percent) through Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee counties. Precipitable water content doesn`t change drastically from today, with hazards over the coming days more likely to come from gusty winds, blowing dust, and lightning rather than flash flooding.
Moisture pushes out of southeastern Arizona with the crossing of the trough this weekend, with just very slight thunderstorm chances remaining in the far southeast. This upper air transition will also bring temperatures down from above normal today to near or just below normal through the end of the week. Thunderstorm chances return as early as Monday next week as guidance is in fair agreement with the return of moist southeasterly flow.
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.AVIATION...
SCT-BKN cumulus with 9k-12k foot bases and isolated to scattered -SHRA/-TSRA mainly near and east of KTUS-KOLS through 11/03Z. Gusty and erratic winds to 45 kts possible with any thunderstorm, otherwise surface winds southwesterly 12-18 kts with gusts to 30 kts through 11/03Z. Winds then become light and terrain driven late before increasing and becoming southwesterly again 11/18Z and after. Scattered thunderstorms again near and east of KTUS- KOLS Thursday afternoon and evening.
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.FIRE WEATHER...
Minimum relative humidities mainly 15-30 percent through the week, though a bit higher Thursday and Friday. Isolated showers and thunderstorms mainly east of Tucson through Friday. Gusty and erratic winds are expected with thunderstorms. Otherwise, outside of thunderstorms, expect breezy southwesterly winds each afternoon through Friday with sustained winds of 12-18 mph and gusts of 25-35 mph. High temperatures slightly above normal today then seasonable thereafter.
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.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
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