Yavapai County, Ariz. — The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Tornado Warning for Yavapai County in west central Arizona, in effect until 8:15 AM MST Wednesday (10:15 AM CDT).

What is happening: At 7:49 AM MST, weather radar picked up strong rotation in a severe thunderstorm sitting over Prescott Valley. The storm is moving northeast at 40 miles per hour. Communities in its path include Prescott Valley, Prescott, Chino Valley, and Dewey-Humboldt, along with downtown Prescott, Whipple, Oak Knoll Village, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Prescott Regional Airport. The storm also covers State Route 69 between mile markers 283 and 296, State Route 89 between 311 and 320, and State Route 89A between 318 and 339 — plus parks and campgrounds around Watson Lake, Lynx Lake, and Willow Creek Reservoir.

Local impacts: A tornado is possible with this storm, and it can also drop quarter-size hail. Flying debris would be dangerous to anyone caught without shelter. Mobile homes could be badly damaged or destroyed, and the storm can tear up roofs, shatter windows, dent vehicles, and knock down trees.

What to do:

- Get inside a well-built building and move to an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.

- If you are outside, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the nearest sturdy shelter and shield yourself from flying debris.

- Stay put until the warning ends or the storm has clearly passed — do not try to drive through it.

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