About AZWx

What this is

The map runs on data from federal sources. Tier labels match upstream vocabulary verbatim, so a streamflow reading classified Much above normal on this map is the same classification a hydrologist would see on USGS WaterWatch. The product reports what the data says and does not editorialize.

Every reading is provisional and subject to revision. Some readings may be missing during sensor maintenance, telemetry outages, or seasonal flow conditions. Empty states surface quietly rather than papering over the gap.

Data sources

Each layer cites its source in the detail modal and in the footer attribution. Update cadences are upstream-determined and subject to change.

• Radar reflectivity

  NOAA MRMS via mapservices.weather.noaa.gov · ~2 minutes

• Satellite clouds

  NASA GIBS, GOES-West ABI GeoColor · ~10 minutes

• Lightning flash

  NOAA GOES-18 Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) · ~20 seconds

• Wildfire incidents and perimeters

  NIFC Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Services (WFIGS) · ~5 minutes

• Satellite hotspots

  NASA FIRMS / VIIRS · Several times per day

• Surface temperatures

  NWS Aviation Weather Center (AWC) METAR observations · Hourly

• Streamflow and stage

  USGS WaterServices instantaneous values, daily statistics, and AHPS flood thresholds · Every 15 to 60 minutes

• Reservoir levels

  USBR Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE) for the Colorado basin, Salt River Project (SRP) for the Salt and Verde chain · Daily

• Drought tiers

  U.S. Drought Monitor (NOAA, USDA, NDMC) · Weekly

• Severe-weather alerts

  NWS Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) feed at api.weather.gov · Continuous

Methodology

Every classification, threshold, and tier label on the map comes from a recognized authoritative source. Federal agencies are the default (USGS, NWS, NOAA, USBR, USDA, NDMC). Reputable non-federal sources are acceptable when federal data is insufficient or a better option exists, including Salt River Project for Salt and Verde reservoir storage. Consumer weather apps and unsourced aggregators are not used as classification authorities.

Streamflow tiers follow USGS WaterWatch breakpoints exactly. Flood stages follow NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) categories. Drought tiers follow the U.S. Drought Monitor (D0 through D4). Severe-weather alerts follow the NWS Common Alerting Protocol severity scale. Reservoir thresholds for Mead and Powell follow the federally codified Drought Contingency Plan and Drought Response Operations Agreement.

What this isn't

AZWx is not an operational tool, not a forecast, and not a substitute for official guidance. For evacuation orders, road closures, shelter information, or active-incident updates, see the National Weather Service and Arizona emergency services. The map's role is observational.