Key facts
- Alert
- High Wind Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Tucson AZ
- Areas
- Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales; Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail; South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park; Southeast Pinal County including Kearny/Mammoth/Oracle; Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson; Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet including Douglas/Willcox; Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford; Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains including Mount Graham; Chiricahua Mountains including Chiricahua National Monument; Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon; Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains including Mount Lemmon/Summerhaven
- In effect
- until 5:00 AM MST, Oct 17, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind.”
NWS Tucson AZ, High Wind Warning, 2:24 PM MST Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.”
NWS Tucson AZ, High Wind Warning, 2:24 PM MST Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.”
NWS Tucson AZ, High Wind Warning, 2:24 PM MST Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Secure or bring in loose objects such as patio furniture, trash cans and decorations. Items left outside can be blown around and damaged.
If you must drive, slow down and use extra caution, especially in a high profile vehicle. Blowing dust over desert areas may briefly lower visibility below a mile at times.
Stay away from downed trees and power lines. Be ready for possible power outages by charging phones and having a flashlight handy.
The strongest winds are expected on the west and northwest sides of the mountains, and in terrain gaps and east-west valleys. A Wind Advisory follows from 5 AM to 2 PM MST Saturday.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 586 claims in Pima County from 1978 to 2026, 161 in Graham County and 155 in Greenlee County, both from 1978 to 2025. These counts cover only insured properties and are not specific to wind.
FEMA lists a 2006 severe storms and flooding disaster declaration for Pima and Greenlee Counties. It is a past event and does not predict today's impacts.
Updates
- The high wind warning expired at 5:00 AM MST.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 5:00 AM MST.
- NWS Tucson AZ issued the high wind warning until 5:00 AM MST.
History here
This county: 586 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-1660 (2006): severe storms and flooding
This county: 161 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2025.
This county: 155 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2025.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-1660 (2006): severe storms and flooding
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Questions
- Is there a High Wind Warning in Tucson, Arizona?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Tucson has a High Wind Warning for the Tucson Metro Area until 5:00 AM MST Saturday. East to southeast winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts of 55 to 75 mph are expected.
- When does the High Wind Warning end?
- The warning ends at 5:00 AM MST Saturday. A Wind Advisory then runs from 5 AM to 2 PM MST Saturday, with winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts of 50 to 60 mph.
- What damage can these winds cause?
- The National Weather Service says damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines, and widespread power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles, and unsecured objects may be damaged.
Sources
- NWS Tucson AZ: High Wind Warning, Oct 16, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.