


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
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167 FXUS65 KFGZ 012104 AFDFGZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 204 PM MST Mon Sep 1 2025 .SYNOPSIS...Daily chances for showers and thunderstorms are forecast this week, mainly along and south of the Mogollon Rim, with activity spreading northward later in the week. Strong outflow winds and localized flash flooding will be the primary hazards. && .DISCUSSION...High pressure is centered over central Arizona this afternoon and will drift northward over the next few days, placing northern Arizona in a general southeasterly flow aloft. This will allow for a gradual increase in precipitable water values and thunderstorm coverage through the week. An outflow boundary moved northwestward across the region last night through early this morning, bringing slightly higher low level moisture values as far northwest as Flagstaff and Seligman. This has allowed for isolated to scattered showers and a few thunderstorms to develop early this afternoon along the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains. These storms are drifting slowly toward the southwest. There is a chance that some of these storms will move into Yavapai/Gila counties later this afternoon and evening, but instability and moisture profiles in those areas aren`t impressive so chances are only 20-30% at this time. The main threats with this activity will be lightning and gusty outflow winds to 40 mph. This general pattern is forecast to persist through the coming week, with moisture being enhanced further due to surges up the Gulf of California late week, induced by a possible tropical system off the Baja coast. Daily storm chances go up to 40-70% from the Mogollon Rim southward, with 10-40% north of the rim. As precipitable water values increase late in the week, the chance for locally heavy rain and localized flash flooding will increase as well. With the added cloud cover and precipitation, afternoon high temperatures will show a decreasing trend this week, falling a few degrees below normal by the end of the week. Model guidance indicates some increasing westerly flow sometime late in the weekend or early next week as a trough approaches from the west. There is still uncertainty on the timing of this trough, but it would act to push moisture east and out of the region and decrease storm chances. && .AVIATION...Monday 01/18Z through Tuesday 02/18Z...Primarily VFR conditions. Isolated to scattered SHRA/TSRA begins after 18Z. Activity initiates along the higher terrain KFLG and southward, then spreads south into the lower valleys through 02Z. Winds are N-NE 5-15 kts, then light and VRB overnight. Gusty and erratic outflow winds 30-40 kts are possible near storms. OUTLOOK...Tuesday 02/18Z through Thursday 04/18Z...VFR conditions expected, brief MVFR possible near stronger SHRA/TSRA. Chances for showers and thunderstorms increase gradually each day throughout the period over Northern Arizona. Outside of any erratic outflow winds from storms, anticipate SE-SW winds 5-15kts for Tuesday, SW-W 5-15kts Wednesday. Winds are light and VRB during the overnight periods. && .FIRE WEATHER...Tuesday and Wednesday...Scattered showers and thunderstorms each afternoon. Best chances for storms are along and south of the Grand Canyon, Mogollon Rim, and White Mountains on Tuesday. Shower and thunderstorm chances spread northward on Wednesday with scattered activity up to the Kaibab Plateau. Gusty and erratic outflow winds 35 to 45 mph are possible near thunderstorms. Away from storms, winds are south through southwest 5 to 15 mph each day. Thursday through Saturday...Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each afternoon. Activity is most widespread along/south and west of the Kaibab Plateau, Mogollon Rim, and White Mountains. The primary hazards are lightning, gusty outflow winds, and elevated risk for flash flooding over sensitive terrain and recently burned areas. Outside of any erratic outflow gusts near storms, expect west through southwest winds 5 to 15 mph each day. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ PUBLIC...JJ AVIATION...Lewandowski FIRE WEATHER...Lewandowski For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff