Arizona residents in Coconino , Apache and Navajo counties should brace for strong storms and possible hail over the next two days, as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a series of severe thunderstorm watches. The watches begin Thursday at 11 a.m. MST and run through Friday night, covering the Little Colorado River Valley,White Mountains, and surrounding high‑country terrain.

Thursday’s 11 a.m.‑8 p.m. MST watch covers the Little Colorado River Valley

The NWS announced a watch for the Little Colorado River Valley spanning Coconino, Apache and Navajo counties, effective from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. MST on Thursday. According to the report, the area could see damaging winds, large hail and frequent lightning, prompting local officials to advise motorists to avoid non‑essential travel.

Friday’s expanded watch adds White Mountains and Eastern Mogollon Rim

On Friday, the watch widens to include the White Mountains,Eastern Mogollon Rim and additional portions of the Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino and Navajo counties , as well as Apache County. The NWS warns that the combination of higher elevation and afternoon heating creates a fertile environment for supercell development, raising the risk of isolated tornadoes.

Chuska Mountains and Black Mesa receive separate watch from 12 p.m.‑9 p.m. MDT

From noon to 9 p.m. MDT on Friday, a distinct watch targets the Chuska Mountains, Defiance Plateau, Black Mesa Area, and the Northeast Plateaus and Mesas along Highway 264. The service notes that this regon’s complex terrain can funnel gust fronts, increasing the likelihood of sudden wind damage and flash flooding in low‑lying valleys.

What remains unclear about the storm potential?

The NWS has not yet released quantitative forecasts for hail size or wind speed thresholds, leaving residents uncertain about the severity of individual storms. Additionally, the report does not specify whether any emergency shelters have been opened in the affected counties, a detail that local authorities will need to clarify as the watches progress.

Historical context: Arizona’s spring thunderstorm season

Springtime severe weather is not new to northern Arizona; the 2022 and 2023 seasons saw similar watches that produced several hail events exceeding two inches in diameter. As the article notes, the current watches follow a pattern of early‑season storm activity that often spikes when the jet stream dips southward, a climatological factor that meteorologists track closely.

Residents are urged to stay tuned to NWS updates, keep mobile alerts active, and secure outdoor objects that could become projectiles in high winds. As the watches evolve, the agency will issue any necessary warnings to protect life and property.