Strong thunderstorms developed in the afternoon over the high terrain of central and southern Arizona before spreading to the lower deserts through the evening, with new development driven mostly by strong outflow boundaries. The primary outflow boundary moved southwest with widespread 30-40 mph wind gusts observed across south-central Arizona and a few stronger gusts, including a 59 mph gust in southern Gila county. The winds were strong enough to cause hundreds of power outages in the Phoenix metro area and generate dense blowing dust over the open deserts in Pinal and western Maricopa counties. With above normal moisture levels, storms also produced localized flash flooding mostly in foothill/high terrain areas, including flash flooding enhanced by recent burn scars.

Flash Flood in GILA, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 17:00:00 to 03-JUL-21 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: GLOBE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Significant amount of flowing water through Icehouse Canyon and Pinal Creek in Sixshooter Canyon, with downstream flow through Globe, was observed due to heavy rain. Runoff was enhanced by the recent Telegraph burn scar. A spotter in the area reported all major creeks and washes were flowing with ash blackened flood waters. The spotter added that Beer Tree Crossing through Sixshooter Canyon was flooded and there was minor street flooding further downstream. No damages or injuries were reported.

Flash Flood in GILA, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 18:00:00 to 03-JUL-21 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: LITTLE ACRES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An emergency manager reported a 4-5 foot rise in water in the typically dry Russell Gulch with enhanced runoff from the 2021 Telegraph burn scar. The timing of max flow was estimated.  Additionally, Russell Road, which runs through Russell Gulch, was reportedly closed at mile marker 4 by a former trained spotter due to flood waters and burned mud. No damages or injuries were reported.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 19:00:00 to 03-JUL-21 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: TORTILLA FLAT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Upper Campaign Creek rose 1 to 2 feet. Runoff may have been enhanced by the 2019 Woodbury burn scar. Low water crossing along J Bar Road closed due to flowing water and debris. Time estimated from radar and nearby NWS rain gage. No damage or injuries were reported.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 19:30:00 to 03-JUL-21 20:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: SKYWAY VLG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Tonto National Forest closed Butcher Jones Beach Road due to significant flash flooding impacts to the recreational beach and day-use area. Time estimated by radar. No damages or injuries were reported.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 22:00:00 to 04-JUL-21 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: MOBILE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported via Twitter that the flood prone state route 238 was closed in both directions between mile markers 25 and 38 due to flooding. The Twitter report was roughly 2 hours after the causative heavy rain. Timing was adjusted based on radar. Radar estimated rainfall was around 1.00-1.25 inches. ADOT reported state route 238 reopened at 20:15 on the 4th. No damages or injuries were reported.

Flash Flood in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 18:55:00 to 03-JUL-21 19:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: FT MCDOWELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A Twitter video showed an estimated 6 inches of flowing water over Bush Highway and roughly 3 feet of water collected on the side of the highway at about 1 mile north of the Butcher Jones turnoff. No damages or injuries reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in GILA, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 16:45:00 to 03-JUL-21 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: PINAL
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Globe RAWS weather station (QGLA3), south of Globe proper, measured a 59 mph thunderstorm wind gust. Timing was estimated from radar.

Dust Storm in NORTHWEST VALLEY, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 17:38:00 to 03-JUL-21 17:48:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter in Wittman reported visibility briefly fell to less than 1/4 mile in blowing dust generated by a strong southwestward-moving outflow boundary with reinforcing thunderstorms. There were no reports of damages or injuries.

Dust Storm in NORTHWEST PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 15:20:00 to 03-JUL-21 15:30:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter on Interstate 8 at mile post 167 reported visibility briefly fell to 1/4 mile in blowing dust from a strong outflow boundary produced by thunderstorms in northern Pima county. No damages or injuries were reported.

Dust Storm in SOUTH MOUNTAIN/AHWATUKEE, ARIZONA
From 03-JUL-21 17:30:00 to 03-JUL-21 17:40:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Visibility briefly fell to 1/4 mile in blowing dust along Highway 347 between Riggs Road and Interstate 8. Blowing dust was generated by a strong northward-moving outflow boundary from storms in northern Pima county and reinforced by a storm near the town of Maricopa. There were no reports of damages or injuries.