NWS Issues Tornado Watch for Northern Arizona

The National Weather Service (NWS) Flagstaff issued a Tornado Watch (Number 693) for parts of northern Arizona on October 22[1]. The watch is effective until 8:00 PM MST (9:00 PM MDT) on Thursday, October 22[1][2]. This issuance follows the expiration of Severe Thunderstorm Watch 691[1]. Apache, Coconino, and Navajo counties in Arizona are included in Tornado Watch 693[1].

The watch area includes communities such as Chinle, Flagstaff, Fort Defiance, Holbrook, Kayenta, Lukachukai, Show Low, Snowflake, Springerville, St. Johns, Whiteriver, Window Rock, and Winslow[1]. The alert highlights the potential for a few tornadoes, scattered hail up to 2 inches in diameter, and scattered wind gusts reaching 70 mph[2]. The NWS is also forecasting a very slight chance of an isolated tornado in the eastern half of the state[3]. Overall, the primary hazards during this period include large hail, damaging winds, flooding, and a few tornadoes, with the severe weather threat expected to shift towards eastern Arizona later today[5]. Isolated severe thunderstorms are anticipated across the Southwest and Four Corners area on Thursday, and Arizona faces the greatest risk[4].

This new watch comes after a period of active severe weather. On Wednesday night, a tornado warning was in effect as a storm moved over Heber-Overgaard in Navajo County[7][9]. This community is located approximately 140 miles northeast of Phoenix[7][9]. These storms caused trees to fall onto homes and knocked down utility poles[7]. Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, the weather service in Flagstaff issued a tornado warning for parts of Navajo and Apache counties, affecting areas like Show Low, Taylor, White Mountain Lake Estates, Shumway, and Vernon, which was in effect until 4 p.m.[8]. Ryan Bernhart, a weather service meteorologist in Flagstaff, explained that warm, moist air moving north from the California coast fuels storms, and changing winds can cause them to spin, creating conditions for tornadoes[9]. An earlier Tornado Watch, Number 688, was issued on October 21 for Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai counties, remaining in effect until 6 p.m. MST on that day[10].