High Wind — Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Highway 264, Arizona

2024-05-20 · Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Highway 264, Arizona

Event narrative

The ADOT wind sensor along Interstate 40 at Exit 311 (Painted Desert/Petrified Foreast National Park exit) had a peak wind gust of 61 MPH at 403 PM. The wind gusted to 58 MPH or higher from 330 PM to 405 PM.

Wider weather episode

A closed-low off the southern California Coast moved northeast while a trough moved into the Great Basin. The two systems look to phase together and brought strengthening upper-level jet over Arizona. Gusty southwest winds were common over much of northern Arizona.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1185288. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.