{"id":4950,"date":"2026-08-29T18:33:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T18:33:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discussions.weather.arizona.edu\/?p=4950"},"modified":"2026-08-29T18:34:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T18:34:46","slug":"august-29th-2026-strong-storms-expected-this-afternoon-and-evening-with-wind-gusts-over-50mph-heavy-rain-blowing-dust-and-small-hail-in-both-tucson-and-phoenix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/discussions.weather.arizona.edu\/?p=4950","title":{"rendered":"August 29th, 2026: Strong storms expected this afternoon and evening in both Tucson and Phoenix with wind gusts over 50mph, heavy rain, blowing dust, and small hail."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The named tropical storms in the East Pacific, Karina and Lowell, are moving west and are not expected to impact Arizona, though a potential third system could bring tropical moisture to the state. The upper-level weather pattern shows increased moisture moving north from Mexico and the Gulf of California, with atmospheric conditions favorable for thunderstorm development in Arizona. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, storms are expected to form around Tucson and move north toward Phoenix, potentially bringing strong winds, heavy rain, blowing dust, and small hail, with the most intense storms likely to pass through Pinal, Gila, and Coconino counties. Additional storms may develop across northern Arizona and New Mexico, moving into Utah and Colorado. The best chances for precipitation are over the next three days, after which only isolated thunderstorms are expected unless more tropical moisture arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yesterday’s Weather<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Visible satellite imagery at 6:00 pm, overlaid with lightning data, shows extensive mid- and high-level clouds over the region, mixed with isolated thunderstorms. Southwest Arizona only had a few storms.<\/p>\n\n\n

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GOES-19 visible satellite imagery and GLM lightning data from August 28th at 6 pm, College of DuPage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The radar\u00a0reflectivity\u00a0comparison, forecast left, observations right, shows mostly light thunderstorms from Tucson north to I-40. Another group of thunderstorms was from Flagstaff northwest into southern Utah. Thunderstorms in New Mexico were slowly dissipating by 8 pm.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n