Payson, AZ — A severe thunderstorm is bearing down near the Payson area, and the National Weather Service in Flagstaff has put Gila County and Coconino County under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning through 2:30 PM MST.

What is happening: At 2:00 PM MST, the storm was near Star Valley, about 8 miles east of Payson, moving northeast at 40 mph. Radar is following it as it tracks through east central and north central Arizona.

Local impacts: Forecasters expect gusts up to 60 mph and hail as large as half dollars. The Weather Service says hail that size will damage vehicles, and the wind can damage roofs and siding and snap tree limbs.

What to do:

- Get indoors to a sturdy building, away from windows.

- Protect vehicles from hail where possible.

- Wait out the storm inside — do not drive into the warned area.

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