**UPDATE — Wednesday, October 21, 10:39 AM MST:** The National Weather Service in Flagstaff continues this severe thunderstorm warning, now covering parts of Coconino, Gila and Yavapai counties. The storm is producing two-inch hail and moving northeast at 45 miles per hour. The warning now runs through 11:00 AM MST.

Flagstaff, AZ — The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Coconino, Gila and Yavapai counties in north-central Arizona, in effect through 11:00 AM MST.

**What is happening:**

As of 10:39 AM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Strawberry, about 18 miles northwest of Payson, moving northeast at 45 miles per hour. The storm is packing hail up to two inches across — large enough to injure people and animals caught outdoors. Communities in the path include Pine, Strawberry, Hanging Garden, the Fossil Springs Wilderness, West Clear Creek Wilderness and Baker Butte Lookout, along with State Route 260 between mile markers 240 and 251 and State Route 87 between mile markers 267 and 286. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect for portions of north central Arizona until 6:00 PM MST.

**Local impacts:**

- Two-inch hail can damage roofs, siding, windows and vehicles

- Anyone outdoors faces a real risk of injury from falling hail

- Hikers, campers and swimmers near Fossil Creek and Fossil Creek Dam should leave the area now

**What to do:**

- Get inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows

- Move vehicles under cover if you can do so safely

- Remember that tornadoes can spin up quickly from severe thunderstorms — be ready to take cover in an interior room on the lowest floor

*Source: National Weather Service Flagstaff, Arizona. Issued October 21, 2026.*