Another round of dangerous severe weather will shift eastward and develop over New Mexico Friday afternoon after storms triggered flash flooding and evacuations across parts of the Four Corners region Thursday. Damaging wind gusts are expected to be the main threat, but a few tornadoes are also possible. Arizona was placed under Tornado Watches on both Wednesday and Thursday, the first Tornado Watches issued in the state since 2010. Flash flooding triggered mandatory evacuations in southern Utah on Thursday.  A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk covers parts of southern New Mexico and West Texas Friday, while a broader Level 1 risk covers much of the rest of New Mexico, including Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

THE TAKEAWAY 

The severe storms will move away from Arizona and Utah and shift into New Mexico.A Level 2 out of 5 severe weather threat has been issued for southern New Mexico. Damaging wind gusts are expected to be the main threat, but a few tornadoes are also possible.A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk covers parts of southern New Mexico and West Texas, while a broader Level 1 risk covers much of the rest of New Mexico, including Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Another round of dangerous severe weather will shift eastward and develop over New Mexico Friday afternoon after storms triggered flash flooding and evacuations across parts of the Four Corners region Thursday. 

SEVERE WEATHER THREAT TARGETS FOUR CORNERS AS NEW MEXICO SEES ITS FIRST TORNADO WATCH IN 28 YEARS

The severe storms will move away from Arizona and Utah, giving both states a break as an upper-level low shifts east into New Mexico. 

Flash flooding inundated parts of Hurricane, Utah, on Thursday, as heavy rain sent a powerful surge of muddy water through neighborhoods and roadways. 

A 2 out of 5 severe weather threat covers much of central New Mexico, with large, damaging hail as the primary concern. A few tornadoes are also possible.

A 2 out of 4 flash flood threat is also in place, with rainfall rates potentially exceeding 2 to 3 inches per hour, raising concerns for localized flash flooding.

Friday’s severe storm outlook.
(FOX Weather)
 

Flash flooding struck parts of Utah again Thursday, including the town of Hurricane, where floodwaters inundated several areas.

Flash flooding inundated Hurricane, Utah, on Thursday, forcing evacuations and prompting city officials to issue an emergency declaration. 

Residents living near Gould Wash were ordered to evacuate immediately as floodwaters inundated the area.

WHAT IS A SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORM?

The heavy rainfall transformed the typically dry landscape, turning the streets into rushing waterways.

HAIL HAMMERS ROUTE 66 🌧️🧊: Heavy rain and hail pelted a vehicle at the Healing Winds Route 66 campground near Seligman, Arizona. A powerful storm system pulled warm, moist Pacific air into Arizona on Thursday, fueling severe thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds and flash flooding.

— FOX Weather (@foxweather) October 22, 2026

Severe weather began Wednesday, bringing powerful wind gusts, hail and widespread flash flooding that continued into Thursday. The storms also prompted two rare Tornado Watches across the region.

Arizona saw a Tornado Watch on Wednesday for the first time since October 2010, followed by another on Thursday. In New Mexico, a Tornado Watch was issued for the first time since 1998.

🔈 SOUND UP: Loud and dangerous hail slammed parts of Phoenix, Arizona, Wednesday as intense severe weather passed through the area. Stick with FOX Weather as we continue to monitor the aftermath and the continued multiday threat for the Four Corners. https://t.co/idXGj75EaG

— FOX Weather (@foxweather) October 22, 2026

The National Weather Service crews will survey damage from a suspected tornado that struck Heber, Arizona on Wednesday, as severe storms moved through the area. Fire officials said 1 person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The storms also produced powerful wind gusts, including a 72-mph gust recorded in Flagstaff.

Beyond the severe storms, flash flooding was reported across Arizona and southern Utah. 

HOW HIGH PRESSURE AND LOW PRESSURE DRIVE THE WEATHER

Farther south, in Northern Arizona, the Moenkopi Wash near Tuba City, reached a record-high level. The previous record stood at 29.79 feet, but by 7 p.m. ET Thursday, the water level had climbed to 32.48 feet, nearly 3 feet above the previous record.

The flash flood outlook for Friday.
(FOX Weather)
 

Check back for updates on this developing story.