A severe thunderstorm watch has been activated across large swaths of Arizona, spanning from Saturday morning to Tuesday night , with a concurrent flood watch for the same zones. The National Weather Service warns of heavy rain, hail, lightning and strong winds, urging residents to stay alert and heed local directives.

Saturday’s 9 AM‑11 PM MST Watch Targets Yuma/Martinez Lake and Lower Colorado River Valley

The first watch, effective Saturday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM MST, covers the Yuma/Martinez Lake vicinity and the Lower Colorado River Valley, including the Central Deserts. According to the National Weather Service, this area could see intense downpours and gusts capable of producing flash flooding.

Sunday’s 10 AM‑8 PM MST Watch Extends Across Grand Canyon Country and Multiple Mogollon Rims

On Sunday, a second watch runs from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM MST, encompassing the Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo, Apache and Coconino counties, Marble and Glen Canyons, the Eastern and Western Mogollon Rims, Kaibab and Coconino Plateaus, and Yavapai County mountains. The service notes that hailstones the size of golf balls and wind gusts over 60 mph are possible.

Monday‑Tuesday MDT Watches Cover Chinle Valley, Black Mesa and Northeast Plateaus

From Monday 11:00 AM MDT through Tuesday 9:00 PM MDT, the watch shifts to the Chinle Valley, Black Mesa Area, Chuska Mountains , Defiance Plateau and the Northeast Plateaus along Highway 264. The forecast calls for prologed heavy rain that could overwhelm already saturated riverbeds, prompting the parallel flood watch.

Unverified Impacts: How Many Roads May Close and Which Communities Remain Unprepared?

The report does not specify which highways or localities might be forced to shut down, nor does it name any emergency shelters that have been opened. Residents are left without clear guidance on evacuation routes, a gap that local officials have yet to fill.