NWS Tucson -- 25 Years at the University of Arizona

6 to 7 inches of rain overnight led to flash flooding, stranded hikers and significant additional damage ($10M) in the Catalinas.

Several rounds of mainly overnight rain occurred from July 27 through July 31, with the culmination of the event and the most significant flooding occurring on July 31 in the Tucson Metro.

This event caused record or near record flooding in Sabino Creek, Rillito River and the Santa Cruz River and hundreds of small debris flows in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Widespread heavy rain of 2 to 4 inches with isolated amounts of 5 to 8 inches occurred over the T.O. Nation. Numerous roads sustained significant damage.

At least 50 homes were flooded in the following districts: Gu Vo (11); Pisinemo (17); Sif Oidak (20); and Hickiwan (2). Several dozen residents were evacuated from their homes. At least 20 earthen dams and levees were damaged along with the tribal water and utility system infrastructure. Runoff nearly filled Menagers Lake, prompting fears of a dam failure and the evacuation of the village of Ali Chugk.

Six undocumented immigrants drowned in a flooded drainage ditch while attempting to cross the border.

On September 8, due to remnants of Norbert, 2.5-4.5" of rain occurred in portions of the Tucson Metro area with widespread flooding.

On September 16-19, the remnants of Odile resulted in many areas of heavy rain with flooding. The heaviest rain and flooding issues were in Santa Cruz and Cochise County.

2.5" diamater hail in Safford resulted in significant property ($1.5M) and crop damage ($4.5M)

A 1.7 mile long tornado caused extensive damage in Willcox with peak wind speeds between 90 and 100 mph.

One mobile home was lifted and moved off its foundation. Five people inside, including three children sustained minor injuries. The roof of another mobile home was ripped off and power poles were snapped. Two other homes were damaged along with a large machine shed-type storage building and several trees were snapped in half or uprooted.

Record cold snap across all of southeast Arizona. Property damage ($3.5M with 2 deaths).

A few temperatures recorded during this cold stretch:

Tucson: 18°

Sierra Vista: 4°

Safford: 4°

Duncan: -2°

After the big freeze in early 2011, there was a noticeable uptick in dust storms later in 2011.

Three dust storms in a period of just over a month from late August to early October resulted in several fatalities on Interstate 10 in Pinal County.

These events were on August 25, September 27 and October 4.

104 mph gust at Ryan Field. (August 16, 1999)

99 mph in Willcox resulting in significant structural damage. (July 25, 2003)

Between one and two inches of snow was recorded from the NW side of the Tucson metro area across the foothills to the east side of the metro area.

The World Golf Championship Match Play in Dove Mountain was suspended on the 1st day due to snow and delayed on the 2nd day since the snow didn't melt overnight.

Snow occurred across most of southeast Arizona including the Tucson Metro.

Green Valley, Vail, and Corona de Tucson reported 3-7 inches of snow. 

Higher snow amounts of around 10 inches were recorded in Oracle with around 30 inches in Summerhaven.

A series of Pacific storms brought heavy rain and mountain snow. Winds 40-60 mph in valleys and 80 mph in mountains with blizzard conditions. Rare tornado watch from 11pm on 21st to 1 am on 22nd was in effect for portions of the area. Record low pressure reading recorded for January and 4th lowest on record.