Arizona Moderate Special Weather Statement | Effective 07/12/2026 16:51

Headline: 
Special Weather Statement issued July 12 at 4:51PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Event: 
Special Weather Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
July 12, 2026 - 4:51pm
Expires: 
July 12, 2026 - 5:15pm
Description: 
At 450 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Round Valley to near Canyon Lake. Movement was southwest at 10 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... Round Valley, Ballantine Trailhead, Sugarloaf Mountain, Sunflower, Punkin Center, Goldfield Ranch, Four Peaks, and Tonto Basin. This includes AZ Route 87 near mile marker 193, and between mile markers 195 and 221.
Instruction: 
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. If on or near Bartlett Lake, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until these storms pass. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM MST for south central and east central Arizona.
Area Description: 
Rio Verde/Salt River; Fountain Hills/East Mesa; Tonto Basin; Mazatzal Mountains
Forcast Office: 
NWS Phoenix AZ