The National Weather Service has issued severe weather warnings for Pima County that are in effect until 7:00 p.m. on August 20.
A severe thunderstorm was located over or near South Tucson, moving northwest at 10 miles per hour; wind gusts of 60 miles per hour and hailstones were expected.
Expect damage to roofs, facades and trees.
Affected locations included Tucson, Marana, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Casas Adobes, Drexel Heights, Flowing Wells, South Tucson, Pascua Pueblo Yaqui Reservation, San Xavier Community, Tucson Estates, Saguaro National Park West, Valencia West, Tucson International Airport, Tucson Mountain Park, Picture Rocks, Ryan AirField and San Xavier Mission.
These included the following highways: Interstate 10 between mile markers 249 and 264; Interstate 19 between mile markers 57 and 63; State Route 77 between mile markers 70 and 71; State Route 86 between mile markers 159 and 171.
Additionally, a severe thunderstorm was recorded 7 miles southeast of San Miguel and 28 miles southeast of Sells, moving northwest at 10 miles per hour; wind gusts of 60 miles per hour and hailstones the size of quarters were expected.
Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Storm damage to roofs, facades and trees is to be expected.
The affected areas included San Miguel, Newfield and Hashan Chuchg.
In addition, a severe thunderstorm was located south of Kitt Peak, 15 miles east of Sells, moving northwest at 10 mph (16 km/h); wind gusts up to 60 mph (96 km/h) and hailstone-sized elements were forecast.
Expect damage to roofs, facades and trees.
Affected locations included Sells, San Isidro, Kitt Peak, Ali Chukson, Fresnal, Comobabi, Artesia and Ali Molina.
This included State Route 86 between mile markers 114 and 132.
Additionally, a severe thunderstorm was recorded 7 miles northwest of Arivaca or 22 miles west of Tubac, moving west at 10 miles per hour; wind gusts of 60 miles per hour and hailstones the size of quarters were expected.
Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Storm damage to roofs, facades and trees is to be expected.
Among the locations affected was Sasabe.
This included State Route 286 between mile markers 1 and 19.
A severe thunderstorm was also located near Eastern Saguaro National Park, about 18 miles east of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, moving northwest at 10 mph. Wind gusts up to 60 mph and hailstones the size of quarters were expected.
Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Storm damage to roofs, facades and trees is to be expected.
Affected sites included Tanque Verde and Saguaro National Park East.
Additionally, a severe thunderstorm was recorded 17 miles east of Saguaro National Park East, or 22 miles north of Benson, moving northwest at 10 mph. Wind gusts of 60 mph and hailstones the size of quarters were expected.
Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Storm damage to roofs, facades and trees is to be expected.
Affected locations included Saguaro National Park East and Cascabel.
Why is the monsoon so unpredictable? It takes a lot to create a good thunderstorm
For the latest observations and warnings, please visit our Weather Alerts page.
Tips for driving in the rain
The Arizona Department of Transportation offers the following safety tips for driving in the rain:
- Check windshield wipers and replace if necessary before expected rainfall.
- Turn on the headlights.
- Reduce speed.
- Avoid sudden braking on wet roads.
- Create a “space buffer” between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
- Avoid areas where water has accumulated in lanes.
How to protect yourself from lightning strikes
Here are lightning protection safety tips from the National Weather Service:
- Pay attention to the weather. If you see large blue clouds, also called storm clouds, go inside. These types of clouds could mean an impending thunderstorm.
- Enter a building that has water pipes and wires. If lightning strikes the building, the lightning will be conducted around the building and into the ground.
- Stay in your car. A vehicle will provide you with protection because lightning will pass through the vehicle structure and not hit you.
- Get out of open water. A boat on the water is probably the most conspicuous object and you could be hit.
- Don’t shower or bathe. If lightning strikes your pipes, it could get into the water in your bath or shower.
- Do not use electrical appliances with plugs or cords. Wireless cell phones are OK, as are laptops that are connected to Wi-Fi but not plugged in.
- Follow the 30-30 rule. If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of a lightning strike, it means the storm is dangerously far away. Wait at least 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder. This gives the storm plenty of time to move away or dissipate.
- You don’t have to be near a thunderstorm to be struck. Lightning strikes can easily travel 10 miles or more. A record lightning bolt in Oklahoma in 2007 traveled nearly 200 miles. Seek shelter if you hear thunder.
- Do not seek shelter under a tree. If lightning strikes the tree, the earth charge from the lightning could penetrate you.
- Don’t crowd together. If you’re outside with friends or family during a thunderstorm, don’t crowd together. Keeping your distance could reduce the number of people injured if lightning strikes.
This article was created by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data from the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff writer.
